
          slight pretentions. If I have any [?] in botany it is the very
 humble one of a mere collection & I would suggest it as more
 worthy the dignity of the science that its names should be conferred
 on those who can claim to be ranked among its benefactors.


 I do not recognize the Indian plant Kinni-kinnuk in the 
 catalogue. I think these were some specimens in the Lake
 Huron box. It is a creeping plant somewhat like the
 Mitchella with a small pink white bell shaped flower; resembling
 as nearly as I recollect that of [crossed out: the] some of the Convallaria
 but I shall be in N.Y. [New York] probably in a few days & will embrace
 the opportunity of looking over the plants with you. There
 are many things in it which I shall work at with new
 interest now, that this rank & station in the vegetable kingdom
 is known. I have been told that the place of the wild
 rice is rather problematical, do the specimens of that plant
 afford any clue to the solution? I think it monecious
 but say more when I see you.


 Mr. Schoolcraft has inserted a very insidious note of [paper torn]
 in his work, on the Strontian of [Mass?] Island. The more so
 as Mr. S [Schoolcraft] was himself present when the subject was discussed between
 Bird & myself. I will not quote the words of the note as you
 have it doubtly, before you, but only observe that the implication
 of its having been found on the main shore, if it alludes to my
 discovery is wholly false. I never asserted that it was found on the
 main shore, my locality was on Mass or as Mr. Bird has named
 the Strontian Island and on the very spot where W. B. 
 (accidentally, no doubt as Mr. DeRussey was with me and accompanied him
 also) has since discovered it. The only merit which I can acceed to 
 Mr. B. if indeed there is any merit about it, is in having opened
 the vein farther then I did. The discovery I declare was made
 at his hands. The chicanery of Mr. Bird is truly contemptable [contemptible]

        