
          New Bedford 6 mo [month] [June] 21st 1827


 Respected friend


 Thine of the 10th ult. [ultimo] came safely to hand.
 I was absent from home at the time of its reception, and have been
 with the exception of two or three days absent even since. I have
 just now returned from Boston, and intend to find some leisure, I 
 cannot say how much, for pursuing Botanical studies this summer.
 part of which shall be devoted to the Carices, a genus, which for
 want of suitable books and the requisite facilities to encounter the
 difficulties which it presents. I have hitherto very much neglected.
 But as the season for some of them is already past, I shall not be
 able to make a very complete collection this summer, but I feel
 very willing to make the attempt.


 The Schoenus which I sent I found growing plentifully last
 autumn in a pond in North Providence State of Rhode Island, but
 do not recollect to have seen it any where else. My impression is, that
 some of them were larger than the specimen I sent, say the culms
 were from one to two feet long; should I be again in its neighbourhood
 in the season when it is in flower, which is not improbable, I will
 collect it in sufficient quantity to satisfy all enquiries.


 The Aristida which I sent as oligantha grows plentifully
 on the borders of the same pond; I have not found it in this vicinity,
 this [?] have been two species, or else two varieties of its, dichotoma.

        