
          tin box on my back. no path too rocky for me, no hill
 too steep, no woods too thick, no marsh too muddy...
 until my box and the crown of my hat be completely
 fill. The drying operation takes place on my arrival and
 the plants are no more looked at, generally before the long
 nights if the winter have arrived. When disposed to classify
 them. I seldom [rever?] to the generie descriptions; the mere
 aspect of the plant leads me [added: generally] to the genus; if mistaken, I
 go to another to which my plant seems to have some affinity
 and most always do I find the genus by the specific description.
 This is certainly a very defective system; but it saves time and
 for the present fulfills my object; which is above all to accumulate 
 materials, especially those of american origin. A thousand
 pardons, my dear sir, for this long digression, I entered
 upon it quite unaware?


 Your amiable friend Dr. Gray has mentioned to me
 that during your geological survey, you had visited the highest
 mountains of the state of N. [New] York above 5000 f. [feet] high and found
 there a complete apline vegetation - could you safe for me 
 your most indifferent specimens, I could give you in exchange
 other apline plants from the atta� mountains or from lapland.
 You have not given me your opinion about a swak N. [New] Jersey vicia
 and an artemiria which I sent you in the last parcel.


 Yours very respectfully


 E. [Elias] Durand 
        