728 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881, 



The former, I know, — and I shall soon know as to- the 

 latter, — has sets to dispose of, and I think you would 

 like to have them. We formerly have taken a deal 

 of trouble in assisting such collectors in the disposal 

 of their plants offered for sale, but we are obliged now 

 to leave aside such affairs, as they consume too much 

 time. 



I have no other botanical news for you. Dr. En- 

 gelmann, who of late has roamed a good deal, is now 

 at home, and busy with botanical work, of various 

 sorts, Isoetes, Cupressus, etc. It is quite probable 

 that he will cross the ocean again next spring, in 

 which case you will probably see him. Professor 

 Sargent is busy with his forest reports in connection 

 with the United States Census of 1880. Mr. Watson 

 in this service made a long journey through our 

 northwest region, while I was in Europe, at too late a 

 season for much ordinary botany ; and he has been 

 otherwise too busy since his return even to look over 

 his collections. 



My colleague, Professor Goodale, giving over to 

 Professor Far low the university lectures, etc., is now 

 abroad with his whole family, to recruit health and 

 acquire information. You will see him at Geneva in 

 spring or summer, and I commend him to you as a 

 dear friend and a very valuable man. My wife joins 

 me in kind remembrances and best New Year wishes 

 to Madame De CandoUe and yourself, and I am 

 always your devoted Asa Gray. 



TO J. D. HOOKEK. 



Cambbidge, December 25, 1881. 

 ... I am kept indoors this pleasant Christmas 

 Sunday, which is here as fine and bright a day as was 



