Shear-Stevens: Mycological Work of M. A. Curtis 197 



Later Work 



That Curtis' botanical work after the Civil War was materially 

 hindered by the condition of his health is apparent from his 

 letters. As early as 1866, he writes :^ 



" Nos. 4 and 5 would require an amount of eye-work, for 

 a satisfactory determination, which my present health will 

 not permit. So I must leave them for better times." 



This by no means indicates that he had lost any of his enthu- 

 siasm or interest in mycology. His letters at this time to Howe 

 are full of instructions for collecting fungi and suggestions for 

 their study, and are sometimes illustrated by sketches of spores 

 and asci. On Feb. 7, 1867, he writes Howe: 



" Never mind about repeating the same things. Send any- 

 thing that comes to hand. Your fire-wood will furnish much 

 material during Winter, both in Lichens and Fungi." 



On April 17, 1868, after a break of about three or four months 

 in the correspondence with Howe, he writes: 



" I am still ready, if you desire it, to aid you, so far as I 

 can, in working up the fungi of your region of country. 



" Since your last package was reported, I have deter- 

 mined several hundred species for C. F. Austin." 



In July, 1868, he speaks of a contemplated trip for his health.^*' 



" I expect to leave home shortly for the Cumberland Mts. 

 in Tenn. I hope a few weeks' relaxation will restore me to 

 customary, li not, I shall have to relinquish microscopy." 



The trip was partly successful and on November 20, 1868, he 

 writes him again : 



" My health is improving, & I will work away at your 

 Fungi, so far as I can without a resort to the Microscope ; — 

 a little at a time." 



9 Letter to E. C. Howe, dated Hillsborough, N. Car: Nov. 12, 1866. 



10 Letter to Howe dated Hillsborough, N. C, July 14th, 1868. 



