
          But every day appears to be bringing to light new forms and modifications
 in the mineral kingdom and when we shall possess in every part
 of our country men conversant with minerals and particularly when
 we shall begin in earnest to excavate or penetrate into the crust of the
 earth, [crossed out: illegible]  I have no doubt that we shall find the minerals near [?] of
 the United States abundant and interesting I have endeavoured for
 many years to obtain meineral specimens from the interior of this state
 but without success. I have freuqently obtained rare and fine specimen
 of plants from persons who were totaly unacquainted with Botany
 but I have never been ble to obtain rare minerals from any one who
 was igorant of mineralogy To such [Quartz?] and [help?] hereof
 now form always the rich near me of  nature.


 I have no recollection of having received a [?] from
 the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. I believe it was
 merely mentioned to me a letter from a correspondant probably
 yourself that I had been elected a member.


 As it will be scarcely possible for me now to make out
 an exact catalogue of the plants you have sent me I have taken
 the liberty of adding on the next page a list of those plant mentioned
 in your catalogue which would be glad to receive. I will
 at a future day enlarge this list for there are yet many common
 northern plants which are wanting in my herbarium or which
 would be glad to compare with our Southern plants that been
 the same name. Plants from our Western countries or from the
 old world I shall alwayes be glad to receive when duplicates
 fall into your hands.


 Believe me to be with [?]


 Your friend 


 Stephen Elliot
        