
          [upper right in another hand: Mar. 29th 1848]


 Thursday Evening


 My Dear Friend


 Your parcel came today -
 Many thanks. After dinner I have
 just looked over the Mexican [?] of Gregg
 which are numerous, and quite a [?] [?]
 My old love of the dear pappose creatures revived
 at the sight, and I longed to take them by the
 beard.


 If at liberty to do so (am I?) I think I
 will, at the same time I do the Santa Feans, and
 at the same time will study any of [?] or Emorys Mex.
 or N. Spain compositae you have not already disposed of.


 As to the parcel to be divided of which there are
 no duplicates, who ever packed your parcel has taken
 care that there shall be pieces enough, if no specimens.
 They were in larger paper than the other bundles,
 not protected by binder's board, and therefore both ends,
 for 2-3 inches were nicely [crossed out: folded up] bent up against
 the ends of the shorter bundle next them, which was
 very pretty for the shape of the parcel, but death to
 many of the plants, for the fold came just below the
 heads in most cases, too many of which were decapitated
 like the victims of the (last but two) French revolution.


 I am sorry the parcels for Bentham were not here
 a while ago, but they will go by the first steamer
 from Boston, under cover to Hooker, to whom I have things to
 send.

        