
          good deal like the old French diplomat.
Their greatest care is for themselves even
when they seem to foster science. You say
you would like to have me go out on another exploring
expedition. With a proper head, properly equipped and nothing
else to do I would like it myself very much. But I have
abandoned my practice for a while anyhow. I am 
here in Detroit assisting Capt. [Captain] Meade in the Meteorological
department of the N. [North] & N.W. [Northwest] Lake Survey. So far as comfort 
is concerned I am better off here than in the Practice
or in the field. I have only been here a few weeks. Is
Chapmans Southern Flora to be had in our City? I of
course have not seen it. You speak of Parry
Wright Thurber &.C. [et cetera] but where is our old friend
Schott. Or the publication of his last Expedition?

Since I received your letter I inquired of Dr.
Pitcher about Thurber whose station I understand
is at Ann Arbor but the Dr. thinks he is not there
now and does not know his whereabouts. If Newberry
had been up Bill Williams Fork at the proper season
he could not have failed in securing a great many
novelties. But there is an objection to a Geologist
making collections in Botany. he has too many irons
in the fire. And if anything suffers for want of time Geology
must ['nt? [be it?]]. Respects to your family. Respectfully yours J.M. Bigelow
        