
          Washington City. Aug. [August] 3d, 1850.

Professor Jno [John] Torrey

My dear Sir,

Yours of the 1st has just come to hand,
and I hasten to inform you that the conversation 
which I had with Captn [Captain] Wilkes, in relation to the Generic 
and Specific Characters of the Nat. [Natural] History of the Ex. [Exploring] 
Expedition 
being in "Italic letters" occurred many months ago when speaking 
with him on the appearance of Messrs Peale & Dana's 
Books; and although I insisted strongly then, to have such 
a style excluded from my book, but to which he would 
not consent, yet I do not think he now remembers that
conversation; and I have not seen him since you sent
me the manuscript. In fact I do not at present court 
a Confab with him on such matters. I think therefore 
it would be well for you to have the Book set up in a
style in conformity with your own judgments and good 
taste in such matters, with the ideas contained in my last.

I would thank you to examine and see if the term
"rhizoma" will suit better, through the whole work,
than "Causlex[?]", for the root stock of ferns. To the stems 
of tree ferns, I have applied the term "trunk". this latter 
by some authors is also called rhizoma.

I regret not having stated in my last, the date when Captain 
W. [Wilkes] refused to entertain an alternation in favour of the type 
of my book; as by [crossed out: so?][added: having] done so, some feeling might have 
been saved. I do not think any interferences will be 
made to your labours in assisting me & Mr Drayton would 
be the most likely man to cause it.

With regard to sending on Mss. [Manuscripts] to me, that had better 
be done through the Post Office, as the safest mode, 
and I will charge the postage to the Ex. [Exploring] Expedition.

I am in a bad fix with the greenhouses and 
Botanical Garden; [crossed out: illegible] to [too?] many have got a 
finger in the Pie. I am dear Sir

Yours

Very respectfully

Wm [William] D. Brackenridge
        