88 Mnhlenbergia, Volume 5 



A REMINISCENCE OF J. G. LEMMON 



Sierra Valley, Christmas, 1873. 

 Mrs. Alf. Doten, 



Gold Hill, New 



The promise to send you flowers has not been forgotten, but 

 I could not attend to it before. 



Now I am in the midst of delight and flowers — having char- 

 tered a church by the week and spread them in the pews for 

 convenience of classification. 



Am very busy, and must beg your pardon for sending so 

 small a selection. Hope they will arrive safely. Please ac- 

 knowledge receipt. How do you like "Scenes in the High Sier- 

 ras" commenced in the 1st of Nov. No. of Pacific Rural? Will 

 thank you for criticisms. With many remembrances of the 

 kindnesses of your husband, I remain, 



Your casual acquaintance, 



J. G. Lemmon. 



P. S. Am in receipt of a pamphlet from Dr. Asa Gray of 

 Cambridge, the father of botany on this continent, containing a 

 very pleasing announcement — the fact that a certain plant of 

 this valley has been named Astragalus Lemmoni in honor of 

 my pioneer efforts in inspecting this valley. 



The honor is too great jor me to wear modestly as I should, 

 but if diligence in future is a guaranty I mean to deserve it. 

 Ho, for Shasta and Oregon next season. 



[We had hoped ere this to have published an extended 

 sketch of the late Mr. J. (i. Lemmon, whose name is so intima- 

 tely connected with the development of western botany, but have 

 been unable to do so. However, through the kindness of Pro- 

 fessor S. B. Doten, of the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Sta- 

 tion, we are enabled to print the above letter, written to his 

 mother years ago, when Mr. Lemmon first made his acquaint- 

 ance with the wonderful flora of the Pacific coast. It shows the 

 remarkable enthusiasm that he had for his chosen work, not 

 only in the beginning, but even up to the end. — Eds.] 



