René Lenormand 



Rec. Florence April 28 Ans. Le Havre July 28 



Vire, April 7, I8f 8 



Dear Sir, 



I will wait to reply to your last letter, until you return from Italy, which should occur at the 

 beginning of April. I hurry to give you signs of life prior to your departure for America. 



You caused me great joy in reassuring me that my package gave you great pleasure. I 

 will be sure, in the near future, to make known to you the names of the plants that have 

 ail the numbers. I did it this way so that I could learn from you what you have to say on 

 this subject. As I labeled them in the same way, it will be easy for me to send you the 

 information that I have collected. I will without doubt, have others that I shall send you 

 which will be végétation from our colonies in Oceania (South Sea Islands) that are being 

 explored at this time by three of my correspondents. They are as yet imperfectly known 

 and it is more than probable that they will find very many plants that are entirely new. 

 They are excellent in uniting their efforts to find the flora in thèse far away régions, and 

 will communicate with me ail what they have found, so that I can help them in any way 

 possible. They will give spécial attention to the Marquesa Islands, Haiti and New 

 Caledonia. 



I do not need to tell you, dear Sir, how happy I will be to divide with you ail the riches 

 that I receive. I am sure they will offer you great interest as I don't believe you have 

 many of thèse plants just like my herbarium does not. Mr Viueillard, who has lived in New 

 Caledonia for two years, promised me in his last letter to send me a package in March, 

 that just passed by. I am sure that he will have kept his word but I will still have to wait for 

 the time when I have it in my hands. He will place it in a state vessel that will take at least 

 four or five months to make the crossing. Anyway, as one of our proverbs says: 

 everything happens for he waits long enough. If my patience is tested, I will be well 

 compensated by the joy I will savour to be able to see and study the plants that for me 

 will have the merit of being new. 



Joyfully our letters came very soon. It took only two months via England, for them to 

 arrive at their destination. We will therefore be able to communicate promptly our 

 observations and desires. I will profit by attracting particular attention of my friends in 

 regards the species that will have greatest value. 



I also hope to renew our relations with Australia, where I have written two naturalists 

 recommended by one of their friends. I have communicated with the director of the 

 Botanical Garden in Ceylan, who already sent me a magnificent package from that 

 island. Anyhow I have other people who have promised me the most spectacular results 

 in the future. 



I give you ail thèse détails, dear Sir, to give you an idea of my work and to tell you that if 

 I could procure plants from the United States you can count on me to send you those of 



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