
          Shark River N.J. Oct. 29th 1858


 Dear Doctor


 Your kind letter of the 20th
 Inst. is before me. - I should have written
 to you frequently, only that I know you
 to be very busy in scientific matters and
 particularly in Botany [obscured by collection stamp:? ?] nothing
 special to communicate in this department
 thought it best not to intrude on your
 time. But since you have reopened the
 correspondence I shall feel bold to write
 to you occasionally. I have almost lost
 sight of botany for several and with
 the exception of spending a few days
 with Dr. Maier whom you kindly introduced
 to me some two years ago &
 Prof. Herr Geubel this season I have done
 but little in collecting plants since
 I left Manchester. But I have not
 neglected to pick up anything new or
 otherwise interesting wherever I chanced
 to meet with such plants. My present
 residence is entirely outside of the
 Pine Barrens. The boundary of that
 interesting region being some 15 - 20
 miles South of this place a region
 that my professional duties very rarely
 calls me to visit. But I may state
 that some 2 years ago I found a good
 supply of Schizaea pusilla some 18 Miles
 South of this place and about 6 miles North
 of Toms River You are aware that I
 found this plant abundantly about
 a half mile South of Toms River whilst
 living at Manchester Xerophyllum is 
        