&T. 37.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. aol 
the world. The first things sent from Para were 
slabs rather than truncheons of wood (all ordinary 
exogenes), but I am promised palm stems and 
woody climbers, of which I shall take a portion to 
build up our general Natural History Museum at 
Cambridge, which with the zeal of Agassiz and Wy- 
man is now likely to grow; the rest I will send to 
you. If you will send me a few duplicates of your 
circular, I will have them placed in proper hands 
where they may turn to good account. I am de- 
lighted to hear such pleasant things of Dr. Hooker, 
which I had also heard last summer from Mrs. Me- 
Gilvray. I owe him a letter, but it is too late to send 
my congratulations, now that he is probably far on 
the way to India. I admire his zeal and energy, and 
wish him an excellent time and a prosperous return. 
The government has behaved most handsomely in 
affording him such important aid in his undertaking. 
Proper specimens of maple sugar will keep per- 
fectly well if placed in a glass jar with a closed cover. 
I will surely send some in the spring. 
TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 
CAMBRIDGE, December 20, 1847. 
I got a parcel from New York on Saturday even- 
ing, containing a few welcome plants of Wislizenus’! 
collection, and a set of Fendler’s from Santa Fé, up 
to Rosacee. The specimens are perfectly charming ! 
so well made, so full and perfect. Better never were 
made. In a week I shall take them right up to study, 
and they are Rocky Mountain forms of vegetation en- 
tirely, so I can do it with ease and comfort. It is a 
1 A. Wislizenus, M. D., b. 1810. Explored New Mexico and Mexico ; 
was arrested as a spy. On returning to the United States published a 
memoir of the tour, 1846-1847. 
