
          Thursday P.M.


 Dear Doctor


 I know not at what moment Mrs
 Harvey may leave so I will just have a line ready
 for her. You are surprised at my want of judgement in
 proposing the bark as a subject of study for a beginner.
 I proposed it not by any judgement I could form of its ease
 or difficulty but merely from the fact that I have not
 been satisfied with any account of its growth which I
 have read Jussieus work leaves the matter in the dark.
 both as to the [granular?] bark & the corky portion. Gray
 does not even inform us I believe that the epidermis
 is not to be found on old trees. Lindley is if I recollect
 right even less explicit than either. But I want a subject
 that is within the compass of my powers on which I
 may "try my 'prentice hand."


 I have a neice of [Croom?] in my class at [Me Chegaroys?].
 She promises me specimens from Florida & of the [Croomia?].
 If I get seeds of it might I not fill up a chasm in [Grays?]
 by watching their germination? I am not sure of them
 however & will not get them for a long time yet.


 I have but 5 more Pharmacy lectures due. I must then
 undertake something great. At present I spend my little
 fragments of time on my carices which I am going over very
 slowly if not thoroughly _ I have written a notice of the Genera
 to-day for the Observer _ I am not sure I can make it
 suit me I am letting it rest till tomorrow to see how
 it will look. I called on Carey last evening to introduce
 a friend of mine a high-churchman. We had an awkward
 visit there was no topic in the range of human
 thought on which we three could converse. I have
 made out an alphabetical index of the synonyms of
 carices in the manual a thing much needed _ If you need
 it I will copy it for you.


 I had intended to see Prof Gray land (at day light but
 I felt too tired & as my lecture hour was 9 I could not see
 him on Monday.


 I lecture to night for Br Skinner at Carmine St.
 I fear I shall be embarrassed in second themes without
 notes but I must try it once more before I abandon it
 as hopeless. I must steal a little time for sermon writing this
 summer _


 Sat. Morn. Little thought I when I closed
 the preceeding sentence of what I should next say _ It is
 this I preached that (Thursday) evening at Carmine St &
 after the close I was met by the proposition to supply the
        