
          I have, as you have heard, some thoughts of publishing
 a new edition of my little Flora - extending it, so as to
 embrace the whole county.  I believe I now have nearly
 all the materials requisite for a Flora of the county; &
 as we have a number of boarding schools, in the county,
 whose teachers are urging another edition, I have nearly
 [illegible] to undertake it.  The first one is entirely out
 of print: and imperfect as it was, our schools gave it
 the preference, on account of its local character.
 I have thought much and long, about arranging the
 plants according to the Natural orders, as you suggest; -
 but when I considered the use to which the greater portion
 of the edition would probably be applied  - viz. as a pocket
 companion for botanical [typos?]in the county, - I doubted
 whether that arrangement would be so practically
 beneficial as the [sexual?] method. I am confident
 it would not be so acceptable.  I am well
 aware that no man can be entitled to the
 character of a true Botanist, who does not study plants
 according to their natural affinities: but it is so difficult
 to induce beginners to take the first steps in pursuance
 of the natural method, that I incline to think the Linnean
 system will, for a long time, be more successful in enlisting
 young students under the banner of Flora.  A person must
 be tolerably familiar with plants, before he can refer a 
 genus, which is new to him, to its natural order: and
 hence learning would be apt to be discouraged at the
 onset.  My notion is, to commence with the [sexual?] ar-
 rangement, - and as soon as the pupil is fairly initiated,
 direct his attention to the natural method, as to the
 true philosophy of the science.  Dr. [Beck's?] late work seems
 well calculated for the use of those who have mastered
 the ruriments of the study. - I shall be pleased to hear
 from you, in continuation of your former letter; & aalso
 of your plans & prospects in reference to botanical labors.


                With great respect & esteem,


 John Torrey M.D. N.Y.                        Yours truly,
                                                                  Wm. Darlington

        