
          Washington D.C. March 12th 1855

Dr. Jno Torrey

My dear Sir,

Yours of the 18th ult. [ultimo] with specimens
of Ferns came safe to hand, and I would have replied
sooner. But having purchased a place in the vicinity
of Baltimore, I have been absent, making the necessary
arrangements previous to removing my familiy &c. 
to what I consider is not likely to form our permanent
abode. This new place is on the Great
York Road, near the village of Govanstown, about 4
miles from Balto. [Baltimore] and consists of about 30 acres
of good land, on which is a good orchard,
Dwelling House, Stables, Barn, Greenhouse &c. &c. price
$400 per acre-- A big sum you will say. But I
think it can be made to pay. At all events
I shall be my own master, which is no small
consideration to an independent Scotchman!!

Since my return I have examined the Ferns sent.
No. 1 is [crossed out: a] decidedly a Nothochlaena, and [added with caret: I] do not
find that it differs in any important character from 
the N. [Nothochlaena] sinuata, Kaulf.  No. 2 is a Cheilanthes,
        