
          I need not say how welcome they will
 be-- & if not exceeding 1/2 a dozen-- I shall
 still "bless the giver, without looking the gift
 horse in the mouth". I am, contented on
 every principle, that [Asa] Gray's set should be
 much the largest. By the way, it occurs
 to me to suggest, in connection with the
 queer little prostrate, pinnate-leaved
 plant (without flower or fruit) which you
 brought on, when I saw you last, on
 your way to Boston-- that it may be near
 to Hippia or Salvia. Compare your
 specimen of the Califor'a [California] species of the last
 genus. I have none myself, but have
 a great notion that [John Charles] Frémont's plant
 belongs to Compositae-- somewhere here-
 abouts-- Last week I rec'd from Dr. [William Henry] Harvey
 227 spec's [specimens] of [Thomas] Coulter's Mexican plants,
 which were mightily welcome to me. 
 There were 2 or 3 Malpighiaceae & [southern?]
 things, and a plant which reminded
 me a little of your new Fremontia!


 I have a line from [Francis] Boott (8 Aug't [August])
 rec'd [received] via Boston, & informing me that he
 sent your Wilkes' Carices [specimens of Carex from the expedition led by Charles Wilkes] by Dr. [probably Jacob] Bigelow
 ([pr?] Steamer 12 Aug't [August] & that the Dr. would
 hand them to Gray-- who no doubt has
        