Lemaire, Charles Antoine 



Rec. Nov 9. Ans. Nov 18 



Ghent, October 11 1862 

 Very honored and very esteemed colleague in science, 



I do not know if this third letter wili be happier than the previous ones. I am a benevolent 

 botanical traveller who is leaving for New York and from there in a horticultural 

 exploratory destination to Havana and Venezuela. 



I had the ineffable regret of missing you by one day during your last day in Paris. Mr 

 Brouguiart and Mr. Delessert saw you the evening before. What misfortune! Imagine my 

 disappointment in not having met you personally. You are a Cactographer!. 



I wish I had had the pleasure of talking with you on the subject that I need to know more 

 of. You have occupied yourself with prédilection with the Cacti. 



For 4 or 5 years I have been occupied "con amore" with a serious and reasonable 

 monograph of the plants whose family I have published some works about, 15 years 

 ago. A more profound and scientific study of the species led me to know several new 

 genders which many have evoluted from the Echinocereus, Cylîndropuntia, etc.etc. 



Unfortunately I have not been able to find the plants in there natural environment, 

 specially the ones that you have written about. I have exceedingly few documents and I 

 do not own the works that you have written specially those with sketches that you drew 

 with Brongniart and Delessert, who showed them to me!!! In vain I wrote Baillieres at 

 the London library, I have corresponded with the United States, but I have had no 

 response. 



Because of thèse regrettable occurences for me and for my work, I need to humbly ask 

 if you could not lend me a copy of your works, specially the one with the drawings. 



Therefor dear Sir, dear colleague, I need to have you understand my needs to obtain 

 more information in order to complète my work. I would like to honor your important 

 studies of thèse plants by citing your name in my writings. 



This is the goal of my third letter. I would be honored to receive correspondence from 

 you. 



While waiting, dear Sir, I pray you receive my most sincère respects. 



Ch. Lemaire. 

 Prof, of Botany in Ghent. 



I hurry to add, dear Sir, that your name will be 

 mentioned in my books and that an honorary 

 volume will be reserved for you. 



translation: Manfred Thurmann 



