
          Ansd [Answered] Feby. [February] 5


 Utica Jan [January] 23d, 1833.


 Dear Sir


 Excuse me for troubling you. 
 I have this day received from Dr. L. C. [Lewis Caleb] Beck.
 a sheet of a work. now publishing. entitled a 
 Flora of the Northern & Middle States. arranged 
 according to the Natural System. I have the 
 sheet commencing the species. commences with 
 Ranunculaceae. it is in 12mo. [duodecimo]
 As you mentioned that Beck has been very secret. in 
 all his proceedings. it occurred to me: that very possibly.
 you have heard nothing of it, and I.
 thought it right to let you know. It appears 
 to be after the fashion of De Candolle's Prodromus.
 Condensed descriptions & fine print. He still 
 keeps his Ranunculus lacustris. & has added a new 
 species to that genus. which he calls R. [Ranunculus] Clintonii.
 from Rome, Oneida Co [County] N.Y. [New York]. The same as published in 
 5th Ed. [Edition] Eaton Man. [Manual] under the name of R. [Ranunculus] prostratus.
 Lamk [Lamarck]. I have never seen their specimens, but 
 have little doubt it is a form of R. [Ranunculus] repens. which
 flowers with us from April to Sept. [September] & assumes.
 many forms. Dr. Beck. wishes me to send him 
 any undescribed or interesting plants, localities of rare
 plants, &c. I feel somewhat interested in the 
 work as I wish it to supercede Eaton's entirely. 
 (I hear Eaton is coming out with a new Ed. [Edition] in the 
 spring. I see Beck means to anticipate him.) 
 But all the undescribed plants I have. are in your 
 hands. & it would be improper to send him such at 
        