
          Dr. Torrey, New York           Philada [Philadelphia] 21st Dec 1836

My good friend.  Your letter of the 10th instant with the
fasicle of 14 plants is just rec'd [received] & your Cyperacea.  I saw in it with
surprise that you sent me another parcel in Sept. [September] by Mr. Shaw, which
I never received yet.  I called at once at Mr. Shaw, found that he is in
New York & no parcel for me at his store.  Therefore, I write you immedy [immediately]
that you may enquire what he has done with it.  Is it gone to Kentucky
like another one? or is it missing or forgotten somewhere?  Do enquire
& let me know.  Whatever you send I value highly on [illegible].

I have 3 Glossoptons (not Scolopendrium ad Scolopendra a Insect)
flora N. America; but yours is welcome as it is a Genus for monographs.

I dont know your Calam-agrostis [Calamagrostis] breviscalis by name, nor
till I get your list.  I never will admit the abominable Calamus
agavitis which is neither Genera.  I called it Amagris in 1817.  Perhaps
I have more specimens.  I suspect it is a grass found in the Pines
between Glassborough & Mulica hill, which I sent you to name.

You reproach me with not sending you rare plants, is not that
one?  I am sorry that I cannot send my 2 New Genera of Umbellifera,
as I had only found 2 or 3 specimens, and one is gone to Europe
already.  I cannot trust these rare novelties to the chance of loss
or mischance, as it appears may happen between our 2 cities.  But
they are in my Herbal & Autikon for sale when published.

You overlooked 3 umbellif [umbellifera] also in the Georgia plants, highly interesting
and new.  My Daucus phyllanthus with involuere bipimuate
like leaves.  2 the Daucus pusillus as labelled turns out very different
from Mx and Elliot, and a N.G. Tulosperma pauciflora Raf
with granular fruit, while Elliot is my Lepisperma N.G. also with
seedy fruit.  Daucus is bispid & so on.  The 3d is a singular &
doubtful divical umbellifera, the specimens all male & no fruit.

You do me injustice in thinking I deem myself always right &
undervalue Hooker.  It is no such thing.  I know that I cannot always
be right when I am to guess at blunders of others, without good descr. [description]
or materials to consult.  All my innovations apart of discoveries arise
from this wish.  As to Hooker he is an excellent plodding botanist,
With great advantages in help, friends, material, & means to publish

        