
          them, that there was a detailed English description 
of the species suited for this purpose, they insisted 
that the rule should be adhered to; Now, do you 
not think that such an arrangement will very much 
destroy the appearance of the Book?

You did not tell me in your last, what
the Assemblage of Scientific Gentlemen down East 
thought of the Fern drawings, or rather [crossed out: plates] proofs 
of the plates. I feel somewhat anxious to know 
the opinion of the great ones respecting them, so please
speak to this point in your next.

It will give me great pleasure to overhaul your 
collection of Ferns, so soon as you can find it 
convenient to send them on, but I would state to 
you frankly, that the first leasure [leisure] time I have 
from my out of door duties, I would like to 
work up our Lycopodaceae, and I wish you 
would do your best to procure for me Springs 
Monog [Monograph] of Lycopod [Lycopodaceae], I hope Dr Gray did not 
lock it up. Pray when did you hear from the 
Doctor? is he still in Engld [England]? when you write, please 
remember me to him kindly.

I am in a fever about our living plants, 
for although the weather is fine, yet the year is 
far advanced, and we may expect John Frost 
about very soon, and yet our greenhouses are 
not yet ready to receive any thing. Professor, 
as the old saying has it, "too many Cooks spoil 
the Broth". and there are too many who have got
        