Lenormand, René Rec. Munich Aug. 10 



Vire. August 7, 1869 



My dear Sir, 



I have just received through the intermediary Mr. Al Braun, the plants that you had the 

 kindness to send me. I hurry to address this letter to you with my kindest thanks. They ail 

 gave me great pleasure and I will be delighted to prove my thanks in a better way than 

 through words. 



I hope that my means will not be insufficient to reach this goal. It is time that I don't have 

 enough of, as I have so much extra work that at présent I don't have an instant of free 

 time. 



My friend Mr. Vieillard brought back from New Caledonia an enormous number of plants 

 that we are placing in order and studying. Since about 3 months we have been busy 

 without stopping and we are not yet seeing the end of our goal. This is not astonishing, 

 because that végétation is as extraordinary as it is beautiful. They are ail new objects that 

 appear before my eyes. I would notl be coming to the end of the difficulties that they 

 présent to me, without the help of Mr. Vieillard, who became familiar with them during the 

 years that he spent in that colony of ours. I also put aside ail other occupations so that I 

 can profit of ail the time that he wishes to give me. It is, by the way, important to do it 

 this way, as he soon will take the position of Conservateur of the Botanical Galery of the 

 Garden of Plants of Caen, that was promised to him. I will therefore no longer enjoy his 

 help. I pray therefore for your indulgence in regards our correspondence. 

 I believe I have a type of bulrush among the spécimen from New Caledonia. As this 

 gender is one that you prefer, I will do everything in my power to make one available to 

 you. AH those that I will be able to send from a foreign country, will be reserved for you. I 

 have been most interested in thèse plants since I own this magnificent collection, that I 

 owe to your kindness, the excellent monograph in which you enriched science. If there 

 are species that would be most désirable to you, please tell me and I will do everything 

 possible to make them available to you. 



I regret infinitely to have not been of any help in the work that you have undertaken in 

 regards the Vîtis vinifera. I asked for samples of this plant that grows spontaenously in 

 our Normandy, but I have received none from my friends that live in other areas of 

 France. I am sure and I hope that you will anyway be able to correspond with me. 

 Are you staying in Europe for a long time? If it would be possible I would like to send you 

 a package before your departure. If not I will place it 



with the other plants that I am sending to the United States of America. Mr Canby will be 

 happy to remit thèse to you and I will send them using the Smithsonian Institute as the 

 intermediary. 



Please receive, dear Sir, my newest assurances and most affectionate sentiments. 

 Devotedly, 



René Lenormand 



translation. Manfred Thurmann 



copyright reserved 



