Millardet. 



Rec. Feb. 1 Ans. Feb. 15 



Bordeaux, December29, 1876 

 Boulevard de Canderou 190 



Doctor, 



This morning I received your letter dated December 10. I thank you very much and 

 appreciate the trouble you took to have someone collect the seeds that I had talked to 

 you about. 



Since my last letter, my opinion about the subject of the the Phyllonera has changed in 

 an essential manner. This happened because of the observations I made of the 

 collections of seeds from vines coming from native and wild plants and in an 

 incontrovertible manner from the hybrid seeds. I will indicate to you, for example, that 

 the seeds of a type of Vitis riparia collected by Biehl in St. Louis, that are characterized 

 not only by the type of seed but also by the shape of their leaves. A type of hybrid of the 

 Vitis riparia is the aestivalis. 



Therefore I concluded that in your forests one must be able to find a large number of 

 hybrids. It is there without doubt, where the principal types of polymorphism cornes from. 

 Thèse varieties include the Vitis labrusca, aestivalis, riparia and probably the 

 cornifolia. I would like to publish thèse observations at this time and I believe that in a 

 few weeks I will be able to demonstrate that thèse observations can be easily repeated. 

 I believe therefore that it is very difficult for a consummated botanist to collect in a forest, 

 a large quantity of seeds from a single species that he is looking for. For example he 

 could find the seeds of a Vitis riparia or the seeds from a hybrid such as the Vitis 

 aestivalis. In this work I concluded that one could distinguish the wild seeds from the 

 cultivated seeds. 



In any case I will be very happy to receive the seeds that you have been so kind to have 

 someone collect for me. They will help me write an interesting essay. You have told 

 me that there are three pounds. Included please find 50 francs, that I would appreciate if 

 you would divide among those that collected the seeds, to pay for some of their troubles. 

 Since the letter that I wrote to you I have discovered a unique group of Vitis 

 Linsecommi and candicans. They are very young plants (stérile?). Grafting them on 

 European vines gave perfect results. 



You mentioned to me that you have the Vitis riparia in St. Louis. If it is the type with 

 robust leaves and if they are pubescent, I would be very obliged if you could send me 

 one thousand vine shoots, each 90 cms long. I will pay 100 francs per thousand to 

 whoever should collect them and send them to me. I am certain that the Vitis riparia will 

 be most useful to resist the Phillonera. The plants from Biehl would also be very 

 interesting to me. To study thèse I would need shoots that I would then graft on 

 Euopean vines, even though many do not take well. 



I have just recently been made professor at the Faculty of Sciences in Bordeaux. It is 

 therefore here, dear Sir, that I would like you to send me the seeds in whatever manner 

 you find most convenient. 



I again wish to thank you for your kindness. I hope that it will be possible for me to 

 reciprocate at some time. I place myself at your service. 



I send you dear Sir, my most distinguished wishes. 



