
          Philada [Philadelphia] May 8 1847


 Dr. John Torrey


 My dear Sir,


 I have just sent forth to the world a work [crossed out: of] on
 Medical Botany, which I have taken the liberty of dedicating to
 yourself and our friend Gray, hoping under the shadow of your wings
 to be able to soar higher than quite alone. I have bestowed a good deal
 of work upon this book, but am now satisfied with it in many points
 which I hope to amend, if it has a second birth. From a want of books
 not to be had here several deficiencies are but too evident, thus in the
 Piperaceae I was obliged to notice Miquel's labor an second hand, and
 was unable to ascertain his grounds for the establishment of several of 
 his genera, and the same was the case in several other instances.


 But with all its imperfections on its head accept in as
 a slight proof.


 Of the esteem and respect
 of yours truly
 R Eglesfeld Griffith

        