
          He appears to prefer Mohs to all others works of mineralogy.
I saw some Rubellites found by Mr. S at Paris Maine that for 
size & transparency astounded me. I have not seen a published
account of these. Our Middletown Rubellite is contemptable
in comparison.

I want to know if you do any thing with Botany now.
Are you making any progress with the MS [manuscript] of the 2d vol of
the Flora

Silliman kindly lent me Thompson's first principles. In looking it over
I find he has marked it in a number of places.
Have you seen an able review of the work I have looked 
into it with some attention and fear the he is not to be
relyed [relied] upon in every instance, though he is entitled to great
praise for his unwearied assiduity.

I was very desirous to know where the account of 
mica is to be found. I saw with you about 2
years ago in a periodical a long paper I think
it was by Rose, if convenient will you give me
the reference What I most wanted to know was
the quantity of fluoric acid contained in the different
kinds [added: of mica] and the readiest method of detecting Fluoric 
Acid in Mica. I looked over many journals at
N. Haven without meeting with the articles.
I suspect the Fluoric [added: Acid] exists in the rubellite.

Do inform me who is the Chemist at West Point at
this time? Is Prescott there?

Are you doing any thing by way of exchange
in Mineralogy?
        