
          Manchester, N.J. Oct 31st 1844 -


 My Dear Friend


 I was not a little disappointed in
 not receiving any letter from you. I turned the
 mail bag bottom side up & shook it very hard & yet no
 letter came from you - But I presume you are
 so fully occupied in making preparation for your
 College Courses that there remains no time for letter
 writing or smaller matters.


 You will excuse me for troubling you with
 an account of a shrub discovered on the banks
 of Tom's River about a week since - It is about
 4 ft high very branching with foliage somewhat
 resembling Iva but alternate branches & leaves. The
 tops if not in flower, is quite showy with a cottony
 white substance, which at a little distance gives
 it an appearance similar to the Shad Bush when
 in full bloom - I found but a single shrub in
 that locality from which I collected liberally & made
 nine specimens - I saw another specimen several
 miles from the above named locality but ^ [inserted: it is] by no
 means  abundant - I would send you a specimen
 by Mr. George Schenck who is at present at Manchester
 on a visit at his brother's house, but I learn that
 you are at [crossed out: present] [inserted: this time] in New York & so you would
 not get it, so I will send it to New York by the
 first opportunity - How prospers the Expedition? -
        