
          Society Hill, S.C. Feb. 17th 1851


 My Dear Sir, 


 The little packet of Fungi came to hand three
 or four days ago & I have had time to look sufficiently at them to
 make a pretty fair estimate of their value. The majority of the
 species are common. Of the Agaricini little use can be made, it being
 generally impossible to determine dried specimens of these when unaccompanied
 by notes taken from the fresh specimen. Even with
 these, it is often desperate work. Quite a number of [Charles] Wright's specimens
 of these were so dissolved, & eaten by insects, that I cast
 them into the fire. In other classes there are some very interesting
 species. Among them I was glad to find a Sphaeria (Hypocrea)
 detected by [Henry William] Ravenel this winter at his place, & which will bear
 Ravenel's name. There are also several other species not yet published.
 -- Thus much for the collection.


 I write now only because I wish to know what disposition
 Mr. Wright wishes to make of these specimens. A part of 
 them are numbered, which looks as if he wished a report upon them,
 & to distribute them. If such is his wish, I will make out a
 list of such as are resolvable.  But the specimens being only
 partly numbered, & many species without duplicates, I rather
 conclude that he did not intend to distribute. But I shall
 be glad to know his intentions. I shall also be glad

        