| Dyke E te aa Ee ree 
THE CORRESPONDENCE OF SCHWEINITZ AND TORREY 141 
perfect specimens of many & would be glad if you would note down 
such as on examination prove too imperfect in order to enable 
me to send better from the new collections making for the purpose. 
Among the Musci frondosi all those underlined in the list are 
European specimens. J have given you the names by which 
I designate the rest, according to my determinations, but will 
not be quite positive about a number—It is impossible to be 
quite certain until repeated examinations & comparisons have 
taken place. This remark I wish to apply particularly to the 
Lichens—some of which certainly ought to be revised. But the 
winter season, which makes that practicable, proved too short for 
the purpose this time. By next year I hope not only to be able to 
speak with more certainty but to communicate to you a number 
more. In the box you will find several envelopes directed to Mr. 
Abr. Halsey. They contain Lichens (the same species which I 
send to you altho not so many) which you will oblige me to hand 
to him. I shall now proceed to answer your highly agreeable and 
instructive letter—after expressing to you my sincere thanks for 
your observations, & for the promised Box of about 200 crypto- 
gam. plants, which I hope to receive by the returnof the waggon 
which brings my box for you to Petersburg—requesting you most 
earnestly to be so good as to continue & to send me all the Phaeno- 
gamous plants still wanting to my Collection agreeable to my 
lists sent on. 
There is to be sure but too much truth in your observation 
concerning the great difference of opinion concerning certain 
Cryptogam. plants—I believe it arises chiefly from this circum- 
stance, that many Botanists, & especially such as Sprengel (who 
by the by is rather noted for his superficiality in this respect) do 
not take the trouble really to investigate closely the specimens sent, 
but hazard an opinion at first blush without accurate comparison 
& examination; which is but too natural considering the minute 
exam. that is often necessary to be certain of the identity of any 
moss &c. I am far from thinking my determinations altogether 
free from this reproach—However as to the Musci you sent me— 
I took great pains & wherever I am mistaken—the smallness of 
the specimens may be an excuse. But I candidly believe that 
many of Sprengel’s determinations ought not to be depended upon 
