
          Recd May 7th                           West Chester, May 3. 1841


 Dear Sir,


     On the 30th [illegible], I received a parcel of plants
 from Mr. Lapham, which had been forwarded by you; and for which
 attention you will please accept my thanks.  The parcel contained 
 your letter of the 19th April.  I entirely coincide in opinion with you,
 that there will be no general Flora, after DeCandolle's Prodromus.  His
 great Fore-runner will doubtless be the last that will ever attempt to traverse
 the whole ground; and I have strong misgivings that even that will break
 down, before it get to the contemplated goal.  I am extremely sorry to learn
 from Dr. Gray, that Mr. DeCandolle's health is failing.  If he should not live
 to finish the work, I much fear it will never be completed, - at least
 not in the style in which he would accomplish it.  It is probable,
 however, that Monographs of Families will furnish us with even
 more minute and accurate botanical knowledge, than we can hope
 to receive from any general work: but, in that case it will require
 a little fortune to supply one with a complete Library of the Science.
 If I had the Prodromus complete, together with Endlicher's Genera,
 and your North American Flora, I would endevor to be content with
 my Botanical library, for the short remainder of my days


     I was much pleased with Dr. Gray's account of [Rafinesque?]
 and his de omnibus [rebus?] productions.  He places them all, I think,
 in their just light: and something of the kind was much wanted,
 to prevent those who were less acquanited with their true character
 from being misled.  I have known the man for nearly forty years; and,
 notwithstanding his multifarious knowledge, I have long considered his
 busy operations in Botany nearly as mischievous as those of a monkey
 in a china shop.  His pretended discoveries and improvements, produced
 incessant confusion, - annoying those who knew better, and perplexing
 and misleading strangers.  But Dr. Gray has finally adjusted his pretension;
 and we may now say of the author, and his works, - requiescant in pace.


      The little discourse on Grasses, of which you have been pleased to ex-
 press a favorable opinion, was not intended  - as you can readily perceive
 for the edification of Botanists; but merely for the purpose of trying
 to draw the attention of a miscellaneous audience to an interesting
 subject, of which they generally knew little or nothing.  I had it
 printed in a cheap form, for distribution among the young tribe;
 in this region, - in the hope that it might aid in awakening and
 promoting a taste for such inquiries.  As you express a wish to have
 another copy, I will embrace the earliest opportunity to send you
 half a dozen, to dispose of as you may think proper.  I have sent it all
 about, among the Edititor, of Agricultural Journals, and to most of my 
 correspondents - even to Prof. Hooker & Dr. Boott; an opportunity having offered
 through Mr. Tuckerman of Boston; who recently informed me he was about to
 proceed to Europe, & would probably see those gentlemen whil there.

        