Shear-Stevens: Mycological Work of M. A. Curtis 199 

 Hillsborough, N. C. March 22/70. 



Dear Sir: 



I do not know whether or not I have mentioned my 

 wretched state of health for a few months past. I have 

 suffered dreadfully during the Winter with Neuralgia in my 

 heart. For a few days I feel much better and hope I shall 

 be myself again ere long. 



It has lately occurred to me that perhaps I might dispose 

 of my spare Fungi to some advantage to myself, & others. 

 I have a large stock of duplicate specimens, which I would 

 be glad to be rid of. It will be no small trouble to put them 

 up, but if I can be properly remunerated I will undertake 

 the labor. 



Now do you know of any individual, or of any club or 

 society, that will give me Fifty Dollars for a collection of 

 Fungi that will be third in America as to quantity and value ? 

 My own is first, Schweinitz (in Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil''^.) 

 second. 



I will guarantee 1500 species. There may be 2000 or 

 more. I will not increase my price if there be more than 

 1500. I will diminish the price (in proportion) if there 

 be less. 



The collection will be particularly valuable, as being com- 

 posed very largely of authenticated species, both of Euro- 

 pean & American authors. 



As I am well advanced in life & not likely to do much more 

 active service in Mycology, I would be glad to have my stock 

 of specimens disposed of to best advantage before I quit the 

 stage. It will be a tedious job, requiring months of time, 

 to put up such specimens as I have ; but I desire that they 

 shall get into proper hands, where they may be useful & of 

 standard authority, instead of being scattered here & there, 

 or possibly lost entirely. 



Let me know about this, if you think it likely my stock 

 will be wanted. 



I have lately come upon specimens of Corynites brevis, 

 B & C, which will be of use to you if you get hold of that 

 plant of which you sent me a sketch. I made no record of 

 the thing, & forget what I called it, but believe it was C. 

 brevis. (Of all your numbered specimens I keep a list.) 

 I should be very glad to get specimens of your N. York 

 species. Do try to get some this year. 



Yours truly, 



M. A. Curtis. 



