468 Hope Stroet, 
Providence, K * I. 
January 24, 1919 
Dr. A,J.Grout, 
lew Dorp, Eichmond Bor., H.Y. 
Deer Dr. Grout;- 
I owe you a 1ergo apology, with interest, 
wîiidh I hereby tender. While I was in the West last April 
you sent me e packet of Polytrichum collected by Happ in 
Sanford, Pla., lrbeled n 127. Polytrichaia (commune) v. 
Smithiae Grout”, abking my opinion. I heliove I wcote 
while in California that'Z would look at it at the first 
opportunity upon my return, or something to that effect. 
I did not return until about July 1, end then found all my 
mon assistants had gone into the service Consequently I 
returned to an unusually large stack cf work. In the ruslfc 1 
forgot about your specimen and when the rush recently eased 
up I could not find it immediately. A little while r o I 
found it and last nigh examined it Quito likely at this 
late day my opinion will not bo of much value, but I feel 
that the least I can do i. to reply. 
It looks to me as if there wore two things in the packet- 
one being a form of P. commune . but neither having any real 
affinity to P. Smithiae . 
With b et regards, and the sur son’s greetings 
Torn truly 
