
          I collected many specimens [added: of Equisetum levigatum [laevigatum] [Equisetum laevigatum] but the greater part is promised 
to Dr. Engelmann who with Dr. Short and Mr. Lapham are the 
only Botanists that collects now in the West. Dr. Clapp
Mr. Lea & Sullivant have ceased collecting plants almost 
entirely. I would be glad to exchange what I have to spare
& to collect any in my power for any plants that I have
not with any one who wishes to send any for Illinois plants.
Any rare European plants would be acceptable to me.
You can see some of my good specimens when you visit
Dr. Kneiskern [Knieskern] collected in 1843, all or nearly every specimen sent off 
by me collected 1843 & 1844 are equal to any I have & [added: I] have 
some [crossed out: from] [added: that] were collected by nearly every Botanist in
the United States. I have only about 1000 species of foreign 
plants on hand. I have collected & distributed in
two years past about 10,000 specimens & have collected 
this season, say about 3000 or more good specimens. I will give
you list of a few kinds how I collect (this season) of Cypripedium
candidum 80 to 90 specimens, Plantago pusilla (say 200), Centunculus minimus 
200 or more. Herpestis rotundifolia 200, Myosotis inflexa 50 or more. Carices 
of very many 50 each & of several grasses as many more, 20 to 30 of very 
many other plants, &c &c.  To some individuals, who call for them
I send 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 & more duplicates of certain plants they call 
for. Dr. Short [Schott?] and Dr. Engelman [Engelmann] send to Europe all I can send
of certain ones. If you have any plants for exchange 
as your letter woild seem to indicate, I would make 
you a satisfactory return for them & any thing
left at Wm. A. Mead's corner of Cherry & James Strs. [Streets] N.Y.
would come to me after awhile by informing me by mail
at the time. I enclose what I call Centunculus 
minimus [added: if not right please correct] collected in May & June also, Herpestis rotundifolia.
At the time I sent Mr. Holton, I sent all I could get carried, had more
to send but left them till another chance.

I have what I suppose Eleocharis compressus [compressa] Sullt. [Sullivant]

Yours truly
SB Mead

Hordeum jubatum. I collected largely of
Ho pusillum [Hordeum pusillum] & Cuphea viscosissima grow                                                      
abundant at Warsaw, Ill.
        