
          I have made no list of plants of our vicinity, nor
have I ever attempted to give technical descriptions.
I have not studied Botany [intently?], I
may be only called an amateur: for I have studied
it only as an amusement & not for the purpose
of publishing anything in my name. By giving
you minute descriptions I may enable you to
describe scientifically. Indeed I am now less
perfect in botany than I was some years past.
The only Books I have are [?] Linneus, The
genera Plantarum; Pursh., Elliot, Nuttall,
your Compendium of the No. & Middle states, Bartons
& Bigelows flora of Pha [Philadelphia] & Boston.
Pray let me know what other good
works may be had in your city.
I am greatly in arrears to my good friend
Dr. Short. I failed to send him a
package last winter -- he has the zeal to
make a Botanist.

Be assured it will afford me great pleasure
if I can be the means of furnishing you
with any useful materials for your proposed
work. The many late discoveries render
a new work on the botany of our
country almost indispensable.

Most respectfully yours

S. Boykin

Nov. 19. 1835

        