
          single word that would eventuate in his resignation
of his present post, but must say, that no Institution
having engaged his services, would regret the step.
In lecturing his manner and matter an unexceptionable
&c".  Excuse me for quoting this; for I desire that
you might have some assurance of my ability as
an instructor in the Department of Chemistry &
Nat [Natural] Science, which I have in this Institute, since you
have known me only in reference to Botany.

I should be happy, and much obliged, to have you
give me a letter of recommendation so far as you
are able.

You may be surprised to learn that I am here
again, I was [added : not] encouraged in P. [Penn] Yan with even a house
to teach in, though I had a full school, and at a 
repeated request I returned here last spring, but
have scarcely been in New York since till to day [today].

I have cut open that supposed [added : petrified (wal-)] nut [walnut] which I 
took to you for examination about a year ago, and
for reasons which I will give you hereafter feel
confident that it is a Carya of some kind. I have 
read [added : to the meeting of the N. D. Nat. His. Soc. [North Dakota Natural History Society]] two parts of a paper upon the geology of Baldwin
Co. [County] (where I collected the plants you have seen)
and the probability of its being the ancient delta of the
Miss [Mississippi]: and next meeting [added : (first Monday in February)] shall read the third upon
the age of it, the probable position of the Gulf stream at
that time and its effect on the [crossed out : their?] climate, & showing 
that the coast belt of sand & clay from N.D. [North Dakota] to Tampico Mexico
is of the same epoch. In this formation the nut was found.

Yours [?]
Artemas Bigelow
        