
          two vols [volumes] more would finish the Endogens, and
 with the Prodromus [added: when finished for Exogens] we would have a tolerable view of Phanerogams.
 This hiatus will surely be filled. Gray says that the
 the merits of Kunths fifth vol. are nearly the same as the
 preceding. What is their rank? not as high as the Prodromus?
 He speaks of Kunth's death as "lamentable" and "unfortunate"; in
 what particular respect?   [added: suicide]


 I enclose specimens of a tall species of the Gramineae,
 cultivated in this City, and I think I have seen it elsewhere
 perhaps at the North. What is it? It is ten or twelve feet high,
 perennial apparently, throwing out new buds in the spring from the
 stem of last year, with rather short internodes which are solid
 that is not hollow like [added: that] of the cane and bamboo. I take it to belong
 to Saccharum or some allied genus, but cannot perceive that one
 flower is pedicellate, so to save myself further trouble I send it to
 you. I cannot say it is very valuable; it is easy of culture and I use
 it in my garder to conceal out houses, unsightly fences, and as
 a screen to my house and garden from the view of neighbors.


 I think of taking a run up to Buncombe and
 the No. Ca. [North Carolina] mountains again in April and will keep a look out
 as I always do for plants. Botany has done much for me in giving
 occupation and inducements to exercise, which out of health, and
 as my first studied branch of Nat. Hist. [Natural History], however little attention I pay
 to it when in the city, when I am in the country and especially in
 the mountains, I return to it with all the strong emotions of a 
 first love. I hope to settle in this trip the doubtful plant Inventoried
 in my first letter. From an indifferent specimen of the [crossed out: plant]
 leaves and fruit of the plant I was quite puzzled to refer it to any
 of the genera in Elliott's Botany or in your Flora as far as published. 

        