JST. 37.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 351 



the world. The first things sent from Para were 

 slabs rather than truncheons of wood (aU ordinary 

 exogenes), but I am promised palm stems and 

 woody climbers, of which I shall take a portion to 

 build up our general Natural History Museum at 

 Cambridge, which with the zeal of Agassiz and Wy- 

 man is now likely to grow ; the rest I will send to 

 you. If you will send me a few duplicates of your 

 circular, I wUl have them placed in proper hands 

 where they may turn to good account. I am de- 

 lighted to hear such pleasant things of Dr. Hooker, 

 which I had also heard last summer from Mrs. Mc- 

 Gilvray. I owe Mm a letter, but it is too late to send 

 my congratulations, now that he is probably far on 

 the way to India. I admire his zeal and energy, and 

 wish him an excellent time and a prosperous return. 

 The government has behaved most handsomely in 

 affording him such important aid in his undertaking. 



Proper specimens of maple sugar . will keep per- 

 fectly well if placed in a glass jar with a closed cover. 

 I will surely send some in the spring. 



• TO GEOEGB ENGELMAOTST. 



Cambridge, December 20, 1847. 

 I got a parcel from New York on Saturday even- 

 ing, containing a few welcome plants of Wislizenus' ^ 

 collection, and a set of Fendler's from Santa F^, up 

 to KosaceaB. The specimens are perfectly charming ! 

 so well made, so full and perfect. Better never were 

 made. In a week I shall take them right up to study, 

 and they are Rocky Mountain forms of vegetation en- 

 tirely, so I can do it with ease and comfort. It is a 



1 A. WisKzenus, M. D., \>. 1810. Explored New Mexico and Mexico ; 

 was arrested as a spy. On returning to the United States published a 

 memoir of the tour, 1846-1847. 



