xr. 38.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 361 
has a strong tendency to gold-hunting (which few could 
resist) let him go. And afterwards, if he chooses to 
collect plants, very well. Few can withstand the 
temptation when fairly within the infected region, and 
we hear the Mormons have found gold also. . . . 
February 25, 1849. 
I have just received from the secretary of war, Mr. 
Marcy, and inclose to you, what I think will procure 
all the facilities that Fendler can wish from United 
States troops. If, as I was informed, the secretary 
has no right to issue an order for rations to Fendler, he 
has certainly done the best thing by issuing a recom- 
mendation which will, if the commander is favorably 
disposed, enable him to give all without any order. 
Indeed, I think we could ask nothing better. . . . 
In my haste, and multitude of business, I have 
shabbily neglected to send the copies of “ Plante 
F adllecionse' ” to Hamburg for Braun. And now the 
Danes have blockaded the Elbe. 
I think I shall soon send the siailler things to you 
by express, and retain the three volumes “ Me- 
moirs ”’ for some opportunity less expensive. We want 
railroad all the way to St. Louis. 
I am crowded — overwhelmed — with work. But 
college work will be over in July, and the second vol- 
ume of “ Genera,’ which I am now hard at work on, 
will soon be printed off; a week more and I shall 
have finished the copy. 
I must then work at Exploring Expedition Com- 
posite, and soon at Fendlerianz, and (when the sets 
arrive) at Lindheimer’s, if you wish. I have made a 
genus of the Texan Rue — between Ruta and Aplo- 
phyllum, —e. g., Rutosma. I think there are some 
