
          With the Isoetes' & Callitriche's I came out minus
not being sharp enough to discover them though my
range was limited, being confined to the suburbs of the city
in looking for them. But to compensate in some
measure for these disappointments I have discovered
a Nuphar which I think is quite distinct from
N. advena [Nuphar advena]. Like the Nymphaea tuberosa the greatest
specific difference appears to be in the rhizoma.
Nearly all my badly preserved specimens are sent to 
Dr.s Gray & Engelmann. If you would like to see
it I can send by mail a fragment of the rhizoma
of N. variegata [Nuphar variegata] to compare with yours, of the east.
This is the name Dr. Engelmann proposes to give
our plant but I fear the variegation or tinting of 
the sepals will not constitute the specific [crossed out: differences] [added: characters]
of [crossed out: the two] [added: our] plants. [crossed out : Dr.] Mr. Payne [Paine] writes me that he [added: thinks he] has
seen our plant in New York and that the N. advena [Nuphar advena] has
sometimes sepals stained with red. Dr. Engelmann says
we must study them more thoroughly next summer if we
live.

I would like to know Dr. Gale's address. Can 
you give it me? I would like to [added: know] also if my name
sake [namesake] the present Minister at Paris is a nephew
of the late Hon. [Honorable] Silas Wright, Jr.?

With sentiments of high regard I am
most Respectfully yours
John M. Bigelow
        