
          Recd Jany 2nd
 Ansd Feby 2nd


 Marianna (W. Fla.) Dec. 16. 1837


 Dear Sir,


 I regret to learn by your letter of Oct that my
 long silence has so much disappointed you.  Soon after the 
 date of my last letter, I removed to this County which has
 proved to be an unfortunate move for me.  I was immediately 
 taken ill with a severe attack of the Intermit. Fever, and
 at this time, after the lapse of nearly three months. my health 
 is sufficiently restored to enable ride abroad -- This must
 be my apology for neglecting you so long.


 I visited Aspalaga [underlined] about the first of Sept.; and
 after ranging up and down the cliffs, and turning up
 hundreds of plants, and brushig away the leaves under
 them, I could not procure a solitary capsule of the Croomia 


 The mature fruit must be exceeding rare and found.
 I suspect, about the last of June.  I am truly sorry 
 that you will have still to defer your paper or publish with
 what materials you have.  I found the fruit of the Torreya 
 in great abundance and of fullsize, covered with a 
 glaucous coating.  The nut is quite juicy.  I did not 
 preerve any in alcohol but dried them in the shade.
 I found along the banks of the river a grape-looking
        