312 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1843, 



you have kindly sent ; but I hope for more by the 

 next mail, for I have none later than the middle of 

 September. 



I never have been so hurried, and had so little time 

 to write, but shall have the more to tell when I reach 

 you, if it please Providence. Excuse chirography also, 

 for pen and ink are wretched and my hands sore. 



Aster Curtisii abounds and is very showy. A. El- 

 liottii takes here the place of A. puniceus. I have 

 found A. mirabilis. 



Love to all, most warmly. Don't fail to mention 

 me to dear Herbert. 



Monday morning. — Off for Hickory-Nut Gap, 

 where the scenery is said to be very grand, and the 

 botanizing good. I am to get there Asplenium pin- 

 natifidum, Stuartia pentagyna, and Parnassia asarifo- 

 lia. Hard work, yet pleasant with a companion. I 

 wish you could be with me. 



Very pleasant Sunday service in the Presbyterian 

 church here. 



TO GEORGE ENGELMASTN. 



Cambridge, November 4, 1843. 

 I have been absent in the mountains of Virginia and 

 Carolina — after live plants — from lltli August to 

 yesterday ; which will be my excuse for not replying 

 to your letter of September 15th. I hope in the mean 

 time you have found some way to send the roots you 

 proposed. There are now connected express lines all 

 the way through. L. & P. Franciscus & Company, No. 

 90 North Main St., St. Louis, are the agents of Brown 

 & Company Express, Philadelphia ; this connects 

 with Harnden's Express to Boston, the speediest and 

 cheapest method of sending when the package or box 

 is not large, and speed is desirable. . . . 



