
          Cambridge, Dec. 3d 1861 


 My Dear Friend 


 Yours of Nov. 29th came this 
 evening. I have been very busy 
 collating Seemann's [Frejie?] plants, 
 and I could till to-day set 
 about the distribution of Parry's 
 specimens. I am laying out for you 
 all which you will be interested in, 
 when they are in any quantity at 
 all. And must finish soon, as I 
 have to get ready a number for Hooker 
 to put, a week from to-day, in the 
 hands of Mr. Crichton (Brydge's friend) 
 who will be here to sail next day. 
 Did you see him? He seemed a 
 nice young man. 


 So your parcel shall come soon,
 & with it your Mertensias, which
 I have long ago done with


 The great pressure and pre-occupation of 
 mind, you see, has made me have 
 those few Newberry plants in your
        