-2- 



upper Rio Grande near Fort Davis, the sap of which is used by the Indians for 

 snake-bite. N.2 grows here in the vicinity, has shorter but broader leaves and 

 less fleshy. N.3 is probably A. filifera , although the description to me does 

 not quite fit, however I find no other kind. Of No. 1 I had 2 flowers this year and 

 can send you some fresh seed or even a small shoot. I also have shoots of the 

 others. Enclosed also two ferns from Fort Davis, they are both extremely beautiful. 

 Also N. 3 from the mountains of and Leone 16 - 2h miles from here. 



The soapwort or Span. Araole, mentioned in the enclosed copy Sechugya is, as 

 far as I know, Agave Saponaria . 



Looking forward to hearing from you, 

 Respectfully 



Otto Ludwig 



The Opuntia serpentinus from San Diego, Calif. , received through you is doing 

 very well, but grows very slowly. 



COPY 



"The Agaves sent from New Mexico appear to be a hybrid, which grew out of two 

 very different plants, similar to Aloe (he means Agave) and the soaproot Span. 

 Amole or Lechugya . I have known the two plants for many years, but this is the 

 first time that I have found them so mixed, that I did not know to which species 

 they belong, some still appear to be Aloe and are noticeably close to Lechugya, 

 and vice versa. The place is no longer than a mile, however they stand very thick, 

 it is near to where the Rio üzul arises. I believe it would be of great interest 

 to Mr. Engelmann and, since you correspond with him, it would at any rate please 

 him to learn that in the uninhabited desert a kind of Darwinism has taken place 

 in the plant world. I too am curious to learn more about it. ff 



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