
          sufficient for the occasion.  I am, and ever have
 been desirous that there should be a good herbarium in
 this Country either with you or our Lyceum (NY) I think
 the measures so far adopted by the NY Lyceum judicious
 and calculated to throw a set of these things in the Cabinet
 but the Philadelphian would take measures to secure [added: apart] the
 same.  A question might arise unless previously
 settled to whom the specimen belong, one perfect set it
 would be supposed will be required by the Governmentbut
 to the different individuals would be very naturally entitled
 to the duplicates. Otherwise they would be less anxious
 to burthen themselves with their preservation as well as
 collection.


 I was glad to learn you had discovered Scolopendrium vulgare
 in NY.  Some years since I conversed with Mr. I Geddes
 about this fern, he told me he was with Pursh at the time
 he found it, and he exclaimed I am better pleased with
 finding this [added: plant] than a five dollar bill! Mr. G [Geddes] said it was new
 but not upon his premises. I gave him an English specimen
 of the plants and desired him to look it up for me but have
 heard nothing more from him about it. (Your locality is not the same
 I have now arranged the whole of my Solidagos and Asters
 and have glued them on my new paper. Have you received
 your Asters yet from London? let me know.  Have you made
 any additions to your collection of these things this season?
 What is the state of the Muhlenbergs Herbarium touching these things,
 and what [apastinace?] should we derive in setting them
 by referring to that collection? if much could be done I would
 perhaps take my specimens and make a visit to Philadelphia
 as I had some thoughts of going there this fall. Never having
 as yet seen that City, in all my various travels.
 I purpose in a few days being in the City, I wish you [added: would] write
 me immediately, on the Asters and Solidagos, do you also
 want specimens of Forest trees? I name these things to
 save trouble and disappointments and [added: also] the trouble of bringing
 them for companions.  I have duplicates of most of them
 but my Herb [Herbarium] specimens are the finest and in which I have
 made my notes. Has the Herbarium of Elliott ever been collated
 by you, Brace has a few specimens [crossed out: that?] of Solidago that
 he received from the late Mr. Elliott, and these I had for some time
 in my possession. I want very much to see you and pass one
 or 2 days with you. Will it be quite convenient for me to see you in
 a few days?  


 Yours with the Greatest Regard
 Joseph Barratt


 To J. Torrey MD &c &c
 Best respects to Mrs. T. [Torrey] & the Misses Torrey.


 [in left margin:]
 I was glad to learn from your letter that Mr. Nuttall has returned in safely. I never had the 
 high gratification of seeing him.  If he is going to make any stay in NY let me know and I will
 hasten there to see him In my estimation a traveller and botanist like Nuttall is better worth
 seeing than Livy who as Pliny relates that a citizen of Cadiz travelled to Rome on purpose to see that great 
 Historian. I shall depend upon you notifying me in time I once named this [Muller you nofera? [Muhlenbergia uniflora?]]

        