
          If I should persevere in the project of making a
 selection of his Botanical & Literary [ remains?], it will 
 be necessary to revise & remodel the whole - & perhaps
 omit a considerable portion of his letters to me, - so
 as to keep the work within a responsible compass.
 I shall postpone the subject until cooler weather
 at least: & will then consider more [illegible] what
 it will be expedient to do.  I shall take good care
 of the [M.S.S.?] & hold them subject to your order.
 Do they now belong to you? - or who claims to
 be the proprietor of them?


     The first number of your second volume (of the Flora)
 has been received - & I have been much
 gratified to find so large a portion of
 my Asters authenticated.  I had a most
 laborious time, groping my way often in
 the dark, in determining our Chester
 county Asters: and it is very comfortable
 to be confirmed in so many species.
 I like the idea very much, of the proposed edition
 of the Flora, abridged to a vade mecum size. I hope 
 you will endeavor to accomplish it, as soon as the greater
 work is completed.  I would suggest, that you take
 Persoon as your model.  Let the descriptions be brief,
 confirmed entirely to [illegible], with the genera & species
 grouped so as to avoid all repetitions of descriptive
 phrases. It ought to be printed in very small, clear type,
 and compressed into the smallest duodecimo form - so
 as to be carried conveniently in the pocket.  If it
 should be too thick for one vol. make two neat
 little pocket volumes of it.  Such a work would
 be one of the most delightful companions, in a Botan:
 ical excursion, imaginable.  Old as I am, I shall look
 forward with impatient pleasure to its appearance; &
 shall scarcely even go out of doors without it in my pocket.


                                                    Very truly your friend
                                                                     Wm Darlington


 Jn. Torrey, N. York

        