
          Conway 6th August


 Dear Sir,


 I have neglected more than a year to
 write to you, because, through a pressure of duties &
 ill health, I have done so little in natural history,
 that I had nothing worth communicating. Your last
 letter contained a great deal of very acceptable information:
 but, if I mistake not, I have already acknowledged receipt.


 I am happy to perceive that you are progressing
 in your researches into the mineral & vegetable
 kingdoms, and especially that your valuable Flora
 is coming out. After the dabbling of many who
 have preceeded you, it is really refreshing to find something
 on which one can depend. It must be a work of great
 labour, and I do not see why it will not completely take
 the place of Pursh, Michaux, Eaton, & even Nuttall.


 I enclose specimens of what I suppose to be two
 [new?] species - one of Ranunculus - the other of Dianthus. To the
 former, I have for the present given the specific name
 acaulis; although I believe there is one other stemless Ranunculus.
 I found it more than a year ago, on the island
 of Martha's vinyard; but have not hitherto had time to
 describe it. The Dianthus, also I suppose to be new, although
 I have not a perfect monograph of the genus. I found it
 last October, among the white cedar, on a ridge of [?] [tuff?]
 in Northampton - where it is unquestionably indigenous.
 I intend this year, if possible, to visit the locality earlier
 in the season. I have not yet selected a specific name for
 it, from a little remaining doubt whether it is new. Should
 it prove new, I have had it in mind to attach to it, Sillimanea,
 and to the Ranunculus, Ivea; in honor of Professors Silliman
 & Ives. Would such a course be very objectionable? As
 I cannot have access ^ [inserted: at present] to a full description of all things of Dianthus,
 you would much oblige me by giving me your opinion
 concerning what I send, although the specimen is poor,
 on account of not being well preserved.


 You asked me for an account of some curious features
 in the physiology of the Gyropodium: But it is impossible
 for me to describe them without a drawing, which
 I am not able to send at this time. The circumstance to which
 I mainly alluded, was the very curious manner in which
 this plant throws out its powder (seeds) from the bag which contains

        