
          encountered.  I do not know how soon I shall be able to
 all that you desire but I intend occasionaly [occasionally] to make an excursion
 as heretofore on the trip which I have just completed I started 
 with a determination to penetrate to the Lake Okechobe [Lake Okeechobee] but
 often spending 6 weeks about the coast rivers borders of the
 everglades & the prairie which terminates the [crossed out: southern] peninsula
 I found myself completely exausted [exhausted] being finaly [finally] siezed [seized] with
 Haemoptysis & was obliged to abandon the idea of penetrating the
 interior at this time.  You may think that my description of
 South Florida is extravagant.  But with the exception of Key West
 the whole country to the South and of Tampa Bay containing 19000
 square miles will not for a century hence contain 10,000 inhabitants.
 But now to the subject of your letter I have collected the ripe fruit
 of the Batis maritima which shall be sent to you by the first vessel
 which will be in a few days. I will also furnish such information
 as regards its habits that may be of service to [too].  I have examined [above line: it] often
 It has perplexed me more than any other plant - I doubt if it has any
 very close affinity for any thing else - but of this you are more
 competent to judge.  Of my collections [above line: I] suppose I may have some 300-
 400 species that I may not have transmitted to you but many
 of these are in a bad condition especialy [especially] those gathered in my last
 trip which from ill health I was unable to secure properly.  But
 I think that most if not all of them can be made out you shall
 if my life is continued get eight of them sometime next June when
 I hope my collection will be much augmented.  I shall only give you
 now some notice of species which have struck me with the most interest
 [Af palmae?], Cocos nucifera is certainly a native of Florida.  I have
 found it in many places always near the beach or upon low mangroves
 shores on Islands. Another species of Cocos is probably a native
 as I have often observed its fruit which is of much smaller size floating
        