
          Dr M [Miner] mentioned to me he heard this same question debated between
Tully & Professor Andrews lately at New Haven, with much
display of research &c. I have ventured to name this to you
which will be sufficient and among your Grecians in
the City you will elicit the truth. If you have not already
satisfied yourself

I was somewhat engaged last summer examining the germination
of seeds. examined Orontium aquaticum or Indian pea
as it is called on the Connecticut, where it is abundant
below Haddam, and Seldens Cove [added: Hadlyme], its large seeds said
to be a favourite food with Indians who formerly resorted to
Seldens Cove for these seeds, and those of Nelumbium [Nelumbo]
the seeds of Orontium are partially embedded in a pulpy
spike I conceive to be nearly allied to Cyamus [Nelumbo lutea].
the peas float when ripe, and are driven about by the wind.
I was some time before I ascertained what they could be.
I brought home a quantity of these seeds, kept them in
water and observed as they swelled the formation of
albumen densly [densely] round them and then2 leaves
protruded. I have planted them in muddy places
[crossed out: round] here to see if I can make it grow so high up
this river. I would class Orontium with the
Nymphea and not with the endogena. why force it
here from a distant analogy to acorns in the Aroidea.
tell me has this arrangement of Orontium been tested
or does it rest on semblance or mistaken analogy.
all my seeds of it had 2 leaves protruded and not [added: one] like
the glumacea. In my Botanical investigations
feel the want of Books not having any thing better
than [James Edward Smith] Smiths Grammar [Grammar of Botany] & De Candolls Ther. El. Bot. [De Candolle's Théorie élémentaire de la botanique] Paris
Ed. [Edition] 2 1819! I looked with eagerness [added: into] to your
arrangements but am not satisfied with the location
of this plant. Sarracenia stands by itself in
your classification no. 78
        