
          in the reports in the pack which most interested me. I trust
you will carry out your promise & with the assistance
of correspondents complete the local Flora of the state,
for useful as the mighty work you have undertaken with
Dr Gray will be, and a noble monument of knowledge
and research it certainly is, yet it cannot and ought
not to supersede partial Flora so highly necessary
for the appreciation of botanical geography, & perhaps
the origin of species, if in such recondite matter we are
ever allowed "rerum cognoscere causas." [to know the causes of things]

Any plants named by yourself from the Northern States
would be greatly appreciated by me. In regard to the
collection of 700 southern species which you desire to
part with in order to purchase a microscope you
may send them to me immediately & I will account
to you for them, at the same time you will be
pleased to tell me whether you wish that the microscope
should exceed their value or not. you may [?]
from a simple microscope at 60 francs to a highly 
compound one at 600. Dr Asa Gray will be able to
guide you as to the price you should go to, and I
will follow your orders punctually with the assistance
of persons here skilled in these matters. Should you be
anxious to have the microscope immediately & will write
to me by the packet I will forward it without delay.
        