
          Cambridge April 3 1820

Dear Friend

Your letter of Nov 4th came to hand about the beginning
of December and was very acceptable as it resolved many of my difficulties.
I would have answered it sooner but I had nothing of any
importance to communicate, and even now when I have an opportunity
my notice of it has been so short that I have only time 
to scribble you a few hasty lines. As to Oryzopsis, I consider the
one I sent you to be entirely distinct from O. melanocarpa [ Oryzopsis melanocarpa] Mich
to the O. asporifolia [Oryzopsis asperifolia] Mx. I collected O. asporifolia Mx. May 8th it grows
on mountainous [situations?] of a light soil and even in rocky situations.
I have also observed it growing in low grounds but much more early.
[?] does not become black when old. [?] never more compound
than in the specimens I sent you. The specimens sent you exhibit the
plant in full perfection excepting the fern, of which I collected [lower?]
but it is [?] [?] laid. O. melanocarpa Mich, does not grow in this
vicinity. I collected it on the [?] plains near the Hudson river in
September & found only one specimen. This last agreed with Muhlenberg's
discription [description]. The position of the leaves is very different in the two
plants- in O. Asporifolia the principle leaves grow in a heft about
the root, while in O. melanocarpa Michx, they are placed on the
[culu?]. I have began a Catalogue of the plants growing in this
vicinity for you, and wish I coul forward it to you by this  opportunity, 
but I have never had time to complete it I fear it will [?]
from me very imperfect whatever pains I may bestow upon it.
However I will [?] you [?] long as accurate a catalogue as I can
and trust to you to passover the errors it may contain.
If you collect I am much pleased with your [?] of
[writing?] a flora of the Northern States & if any assistance from me will
        