
          which is precisely what I desire to express, it does not properly
 signify tall, lofty, but only in semifigurative way, since
 a lofty object as a tree has its summit raised on high. Excellens
 is the proper word for tall, lofty. Exattatus is perfectly appropriate
 in the first, and original meaning, and [crossed out: not?] [added: not] untrue
 in its second, as the species is one of the tall ones of the genus. 
 We will however abandon the word, I will call it R. [Rhus] nigrimontana
 unless you object, or select some other specific name, [abretinosum?]
 from the [added: almost] exclusive growth surrounding, praeternissa or neglacta
 in allusion to its having been so long overlooked. The foliage
 furnished no character from which a name may be drawn, 
 although the species is readily distinguished by its narrow lanceolate,
 acutely serrate leaves, combined with glabrous greenish 
 berries. You say you have some suspicion that the new Rhus
 maybe R. elegans Ait. [Aiton]. I do not contend for the new species
 because I found it, nor do I wish to oppose your views unreasonably,
 but I do not think the suspicion well founded, if we can
 place reliance on the character given for R. elegans and [added: on] your
 own reference itself [added: for] R. elegans seems from these to be allied to R.
 glabrum, an innocuous species, with downy red berries, of acid
 taste, in all of which points the new species is opposed to R. glabrum.
 I ought to say however that I have not access to the original description,
 and the [crossed out: copies] [added: transcript] in Elliott &c do not mentionthe berries.
 Pursh refers to Catesby's figure which I will endeavour to examine
 today in our Library. He says the flowers of R. elegans are scarlet,
 but does not mention the berries. 

        