188 



Mycologia 



Specimens from you will be of service in this respect. Sup- 

 pose I send you a few in a pamphlet? I could send in this 

 way large quantities, if you will endure the postage on them. 

 — Shall I send a box for you at once ? — & risk the wintry sea 

 between Petersburg & N. York ? Or, shall I wait till Spring 

 and send a larger collection ? 



It is not unlikely that this work will excite sufficient in- 

 terest in the subject to induce a desire of having a collec- 

 tion of Lichens ; & possibly of making them a study. If so, I 

 shall desire that a specimen of whatever I send you may be 

 returned with a name. But of this more hereafter. 



Respectfully, 



M. A. Curtis. 



A month later he refers to an earlier attempt to study lichens, 

 letter dated Hillsborough, N. C, Dec. i6th/45. 



Every load of wood is overhauled as it comes to my yard, 

 & no stick goes upon my fire that is not faithfully examined. 

 I think I must have five or six hundred or more species, & 

 representing twenty or more genera. 



Some years ago, when I started in this direction I was met 

 by the same difficulty, & quit in despair, sending a part of my 

 collection to Torrey (which I presume he threw away), & 

 neglecting most of the remainder, I started at that time with 

 some earnestness, &, if I could have then had a little assist-- 

 ance from a good Lichenist & some books, I should have been 

 by this time somewhat au fait in this department. 



My zeal in reviving again somewhat, & if I receive suffi- 

 cient aid & encouragement from you, I shall probably go on 

 with some vigor. 



Whenever good specimens of Fungi have presented them- 

 selves in my search for Lichens, I have enclosed some for 

 Fries. 



I hope you will work up the N. A. Lichens. Just give me 

 prestige enough, & I will see that those of Carolina are looked 

 after. Furnish the stimulus, & I shall keep going, I reckon. 

 My hands are sore cutting off bark, — blistered and torn. 



Truly yours, 



M. A. Curtis. 



