
          I do not know if you have ever made any study of the
 Fungi, or take any interest in them. If you do, I will make
 all suitable returns for any specimens you can spare me.
 I will endeavor that you be not on the losing side of the bargain.
 I do not expect to become a very accomplished Mycologist for I
 have not proper eyes for frequent microscopic examinations, but
 I do mean to do what I can towards a good collection for those
 that come after, & shall elaborate as far as I can whatever
 comes to hand. As it is an extensive field, I shall avail myself
 of whatever can be got from others to facilitate my progress over it.
 Should I be any way successful, I shall probably confine myself
 hereafter mostly to that one thing. 


 I will also exchange Lichenes with you, if you wish. I
 have sent [Edward] Tuckerman some new things, & shall probably send not a
 few more. These I do not study much, -- & they will mostly stand
 to his names.


 Should the present application not meet your wishes, I hope
 you will not hesitate frankly to say so. I am far from wishing
 to be a burden to any one. 


 Very respectfully,
 your friend
 M.A. [Moses Ashley] Curtis


 P.S. Do you know any person in the U.S. who has collected Fungi?
        