312 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME.  [1843, 
you have kindly sent; but I hope for more by the 
next mail, for I have none later than the middle of 
September. 
I never have been so hurried, and had so little time 
to write, but shall have the more to tell when I reach 
you, if it please Providence. Excuse chirography also, 
for pen and ink are wretched and my hands sore. 
Aster Curtisii abounds and is very showy. <A. El- 
liottii takes here the place of A. puniceus. I have 
found A. mirabilis. 
Love to all, most warmly. Don’t fail to mention 
me to dear Herbert. 
Monday morning. — Off for Hickory-Nut Gap, 
where the scenery is said to be very grand, and the 
botanizing good. Iam to get there Asplenium pin- 
natifidum, Stuartia pentagyna, and Parnassia asarifo- 
lia. Hard work, yet pleasant with a companion. I 
wish you could be with me. 
Very pleasant Sunday service in the Presbyterian 
church here. 
TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 
CAMBRIDGE, November 4, 1843. 
I have been absent in the mountains of Virginia and 
Carolina — after live plants—from 11th August to 
yesterday ; which will be my excuse for not replying 
to your letter of September 15th. J hope in the mean 
time you have found some way to send the roots you 
proposed. There are now connected express lines all 
the way through. L. & P. Franciscus & Company, No. 
90 North Main St., St. Louis, are the agents of Brown 
& Company Express, Philadelphia; this connects 
with Harnden’s Express to Boston, the speediest and 
cheapest method of sending when the package or box 
is not large, and speed is desirable. . . 
