This is unusual in that Dr. Engelmann 

 has neither written the day of arrival of 

 nor the day of response to this letter 



Most honored Doctor! 



I am answering your letter first now because I was hoping to send you the 

 Cuscuta that you so much wanted to see. But I have since reexamined the specimen 

 and I suspect that it can be explained away by circumstances beyond our control, which 

 ones I cannot imagine. Under these circumstances I may have to do all over again or 

 just let it go. 



Concerning your comments about the Linneae: in case ofan exchange I would 

 assign a specific value and leave it to you in which way you want to satisfy it. You can 

 also be assured that any Suggestion ofyours will satisfy me. Being a particular collector 

 myself I find these exchanges not entirely satisfactory as it is often impossible for the 

 person to whom the request is directed to fulfill it As far as the delivery is concerned it 

 would be safest with Courier but faster with the mail, in which case my address is: 

 Dire.ctor, Botanical Gardens, University of Halle. 



When I Start considering my plants du ring the upcoming semester (which Starts 

 on August 15th) I would like to assign those that have been lumped togetherin their 

 natural f amilies but I question the inclusion of Cuscuta and some others that I have not 

 mentioned before and will send them all on to you in St. Louis in the fall. There will still 

 be an opportunity to make changes after a discussion via letters. 



With deepest regards 



Affectionately yours 



Schlechtendal 



Halle J uly 20th 1858 



