*;t. 47.] TO JOHN TORREY. 445 



part in elementary botanical writing, and I return 

 with zest to my drier investigations, in which I have 

 much to do. 



If I ever find time I am greatly disposed to write 

 some day upon the principles of classification, — the 

 ground in nature for classification, the nature and 

 distribution and probable origin of species, — knotty 

 points, upon which I incline to differ decidedly from 

 Agassiz, and considerably from the common notions. 



Some of the more immediate and best-established 

 deductions I hope to bring out in a paper I shall soon 

 be occupied with, containing the results of a compari- 

 son of the flora of Japan (in which I have new materi- 

 als) with our own of the United States of America. 



My college work keeps me very busy at this sear 

 son. 



... I see no near prospect of revisiting the Old 

 World. The commercial troubles last autumn have 

 reduced our moderate means and prospects a little. 

 But if I live I must yet have two years' work in Eng- 

 land and on the Continent. With great regard, I re- 

 main. Yours very faithfully, 



Asa Gray. 



to john tokret. 



July 27, 1858. 



I have to-day received a nice present from Vilmorin 

 of Paris, i. e., the copy of Robert Brown's " Prodro- 

 mus," presented by him to A. L. de Jussieu. 



... I am kept here, too, by the attending suddenly 

 to building a new conservatory, for which a donation 

 of 12,000 has been received. I cannot leave till it is 

 well under way. 



I am deep in Japan botany ; interesting results. 



