
          Dr. J [John] Torrey , N. Y. [New York]


 Dear Sir,


 I have perused , with the greatest satisfaction the whole
 of the 20 parts of Flora of N. A. [North America]. It has cleared many a
 doubt and dispelled my preplexity about some species, until
 now separated by authors, [crossed out: and] that I was vainly trying to [crossed out: find out].
 distingushed: such as several stellaria, cerastium, phaceolus, astragulus
 , &c. American Botanists have now a solid ground to walk 
 upon and a polar star to guide their researchers! I hope
 you work will be appreciated and sufficent encouragement given
 to permit you to continue and arrive soon at the end of it.


 I send you a cerastium? Which I think the  bracteatum
 of Raf [Rafinesque] although he has not recognized it when shown to 
 him several years ago if a C. and not Raf's. [Rafinesque]. I do not see
 it described in your flora. This plant grows abundantly in 
 fields along the Schuylkill, 2 miles from the city, and 
 forms a complete white sheet covering large surfaces; on
 the edge of the water the well characterized C. arveuse grows
 plentifully, which made me think that it might be a 
 modification of this bought by a dryer soil. I have 
 also found, among my vicia, one from the sea whore near
 Boston, with society and geriminate flowers, the size and colour of
 the sativa; but with leaves not retuse and rather acute and [?]
 the whole plant is villous, especially at top, the divisions of the calix
 very long indeed and sabulate. I can hardly [added: become]  [?] with
 seeing as varieties the Rynchoria monophylla and crecta, although 
        