
          I am so deficient in books, that it is impossible for 
 me to study Botany to advantage.  Eatons Manuel
 on some accounts, is very imperfect & even Pursh I
 think is deficient, their specific characters I think are not
 sufficiently distinct. The fault may be with me
 but as we are a set of selfish beings we are very
 apt to [crossed out] [inserted: attribute] it to others.  I shall send you such
 specimens as I think will be interesting to you,
 from time to time. You speak of the Cryptogramia
 & grasses. I must confess I am afraid of them.
 I have collected a few this month but am not able
 to say what they are. I shall be in New York
 about the last of August & then I shall expect you
 to drill me on these classes. Have you any
 author on Fishes? If you have, I would thank you
 much for the loan of it for a short time. I think
 there are some here, the description of which
 would be interesting. If I can see any work on the
 subject, by which, I can ascertain that they are
 not described, I shall attempt it. I have collected
 2 or 3 insects all of whichI suppose you [inserted: must] have. I have
 [inserted: also] kept a metereological table for May, which if you
 care for, I can send you a copy.

 Torrey, I was surprized [surprised] when you asked me
 whether I would accept of some European Specimens
 you might have known, what my answer would
        