
           June 27, 1847.

Dr [Dear] Sir

A few weeks since I wrote you
a hasty letter & sent by a friend a few
specimens, & those the most important
were mutilated. I hope you have recd. [received]
the two packages to be left with W. [Wiley] & Putnam.
I am desirous to know if you can
by those seed vessels recognize the probable
genus. I have a few young seedling
plants growing & two from the roots
sent to me & transplanted. I fear I
shall get no flowers from either.
Worms eat the leaves almost as fast
as they come out. The [?] I learn
flowers in March.

When you wrote me last you were
engaged on the Asclepiadeae. In
looking for A. Cinerea [Asclepias cinerea] by your request
with a view to send you the seed vessel
I have in the pine woods spagnose
branches found a splendid Asclepias
which I have not before seen.
If it be not Lancifolia [Asclepias lancifolia] it is a new
species & if Nuttall is correct in saying
the A. Lancifolia [Asclepias lancifolia] is smooth on both sides
of the leaf, then this is not the L. [Asclepias lancifolia] for
the under side of the leaf is tomentose.
        