Decaisne, Prof. J. 



Rec. October 26 Ans. Dec. 22 



Muséum of Natural History 



July6, 1876 



Dear Mr. Engelmann, 



Your interesting notes on the Oaks, the Cacti and the Agave reached me and I hurry to send you my thanks. 

 Which is that famous Agave Victoriae regiae =(Agave consideranti)? Have you seen it flov^ering? The plant 

 has such a différent aspect as compared to the other species that I would not be surprised if it did not constitute 

 an individual type. 



Mr. Sargent was good enough to send me from time to time, seeds from Califomia. Thanks to him we now own 

 the Fuchsia, the SerephyUuin and the Nevinsia. We also received the Cissus and the Amplopsis from the 

 Valley of Missouri. Please remember that anything you wish to send me wether it is seeds, plants or bushes, 

 v^ll be well received. 



I hope that you have obtained some good clumps of grass or perhaps have made new discoveries in North 

 Carolina and in Virginia. I understand the vivid interest that you have in comparing the végétation from the 

 Valley of Missouri with the one of the mountains. 



Here are some pretty samples of Cicendia (Eryth.) Candollei from the forest of Senard. They come from the 

 same hands as those that you already posses, therefore I am sure they will give you pleasure. 



I would like to send you some pamphlets about myself, but I do not know how. Do you have a correspondent in 

 Europe to who I can remit what is for you? The Bossange Concem no longer wants to be in charge of scientific 

 commissions for the United States. On the other hand it seems that the transportation expenses are enormous 

 for small packages. This is my problem. 



Please receive my congratulations in regards to your son, who is succeeding you in the practice of Medicine. 

 This will give much more time that you will employ for the advancement of science. 



Goodbye dear Mr. Engelmann, continue being well, be happy and think occasionally of your friend. 



J. Decaisne 



