THE CORRESPONDENCE OF SCHWEINITZ AND TORREY 127 
trifling in itself but I can’t help liking such trifles as omina fausta! 
Looking over your letter I can’t help remarking upon the epithet 
“difficult” which you attach to the study of the tribe of Fungi. 
I am of opinion that it is by far the easiest of the Cryptogamic 
divisions. The species are much more characteristically divided 
& when once you have a considerable number in your mind you 
will rarely be at a loss. Wherever there are a considerable number 
of varieties attached to some species among the Fungi they almost 
always partake so strongly of the specific characteristic that they 
rarely occasion doubt. 
TORREY TO SCHWEINITZ 
NEw York July 29th 1820 
Respected Sir 
Your highly interesting letter of the 24th of last month I 
received after much patient waiting. I had begun to fear the 
box I sent you had miscarried, but I was agreeably disappointed 
at finding it had not only reached you in safety, but that my 
numerous queries were so satisfactorily answered. I exceedingly 
regret it is not in my power to be a more useful correspondent to 
you, but if I supply some of your desiderata it will amply satisfy 
me for what little trouble it may occasion. I shall take a par- 
ticular pleasure in sending you not only all the fungi I can pro- 
cure but specimens of all other cryptogamous & phaenogamous 
plants of which I can procure duplicates. As I am a young man & 
engaged in the practice of physic it is impossible for me to pay 
much attention to the study of natural history. However, by 
oeconomising my time I hope I shall, in time, accomplish some- 
thing. Besides I have an extensive correspondence with all the 
botanists of the Northern States who supply me with every thing 
not growing in this vicinity, so that with the assistance of my 
friends my correspondence may not be altogether useless to you. 
You would do me a particular favour by furnishing me 
with your specific characters of the Fungi you consider new 
among those sent to you as you probably described them in a 
fresh state. I was a little surprised that there were only two 
species of Sistotrema—they perplexed me as much as any others of 
the Fungi. The Jsaria antheriformis I found in my herbarium, 
