(SBBfe, Friedrich August 

 1866, April 12th 

 Berlin, Germany 



TRANSLATION 



BErlin, April 12, 1866 



Dear Doctor, 



I was glad to hear that the few rushes I sent you helped you in your research 

 and should be glad to do more for you in this respect. 



As far as Juncus rudis Kth. is concerned, I saw only one specimen of this plant 

 in Kunth 1 s herbarium, even though Sello, whose plants are richly represented in our 

 herbarium, collected this species. Also, the Kunth specimen, approximately 2 feet high, 

 has only one stera...the leaves and stem up to the top are indeed thickly covered 

 with sraall hairs without being rough * Kunth correctly mentioned this on the label as, 

 in general, he gave a good description of this plant. The flower Clusters are filled 

 with dark brown leaves whereby this species becomes similar to J. s quarr osus , only 

 with the difference that the Single leaves of the Kunth plant are more half the size 

 as those of the latter. Therefore, your plant from the Rio de la Plata cannot be 

 identical with J. rudis , but I believe that because of the many flowery Clusters with 

 the relatively broad larnellated cover leaves and the completely smooth stem and leaves 

 is identical with Kunth f s J. microcephalus and before I read your letter, I opened the 

 enclosed capsule of the plant of the Acad. Philadelphia and recognized immediately 

 the J. microcephalus Kth. and proved this determination by comparing it with that of 

 Kunth. I am glad that you also considered this species to be that and I am sure to 

 be able to try and find out that we are not mistaken. I am enclosing one of the lowest 

 leaves of J. rudis which, even though to a lesser degree than the stem, shows the 

 little hairs. 



I am in complete agreement with your determination of the other species mentioned. 

 Should you still have other doubts, and should I be able to help you I should be 

 glad to do so. 



I hope you will permit me to ask you, not a botanical favor, but another one in the 

 name of some of my friends and acquaintances. They have a passion to collect stamped 

 postage stamps and would be more than happy if they could receive stamps from the 

 southern states or any other American states. Perhaps it would involve no great effort 

 on your partto obtain these and should you write again, I should be very grateful if 

 you would enclose some which are not too dirty. Should there be a similar passion in 

 America, European stamps are always available as a gift. 



Asking your forgiveness for making this somewhat unusual request, I remain, 



Sincerely yours, 



A. Garke 



IUI III! 



■■ h —J LJ LJ 



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Missouri 

 Botanical 

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