
          dried specimens for your examination. Also
 seeds. I have both dried specimens & seeds
 which I will send you by the first
 opportunity & also some of the fresh fruit
 preserved in Spts [Spirits]. The specimen from the
 interior at Placerville I have been inclined to
 consider also distinct. I think I sent a drawing
 of this one also on to Washington, altho [although] I am not sure.


 We labour under great disadvantage here having
 few works of reference in fact, almost none.
 When we first began our efforts, so much so as
 to make it almost if not quite presumptious
 to publish anything. At present we are more
 favourably situated altho very far from
 possessing a [illegible] of what we ought to have
 to guaratee [guarantee] against errors.


 Some of the plants described we have
 only a single specimen. I think of the best
 named cucurbit it is uncertain whether we
 have any of the fruit preserved, if I find it
 on examination I will send it.


 I think many of our specimens might be
 sent & run the risk of loss. At least it will
 not be long before we are better supplied.


 The list of plants enclosed I loaned to a
 careful friend who will copy it & strive
 to obtain them if possible for you & such
 infomation as you desire.
        