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GARDENS

LIBRARY

The Gift of Beatrix Farrand

to the General Library
University of Calif ornia, Berkeley

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RCHITECTURE

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SCIENTIFIC PAPERS. Selected by C. S. SARGENT.

I. Reviews of Works on Botany and Related Subjects,

1834-1887.

II. Essays, Biographical Sketches, 1841-1886.

2 vols. 8yo, each $3.00.

LETTERS OF ASA GRAY. Edited by JANE LORING
GRAY. With Portraits and other Illustrations. 2 vois.
crown 8vo, $4.00.

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY,
BOSTON AND NEW YORK.

^£ tat If

LANDSCAPE
ARCH.

LIBRARY

CONTENTS.

PAGE

V. SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. — CORRESPONDENCE.

1850-1859 369

VI. LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. 1860-1868 . 454

VII. TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. 1868-1880 . . 565

VIII. FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. 1880-1888 . 701

NOTE ON THE ILLUSTRATIONS. The frontispiece portrait of Dr.
Gray is a photogravure from a photograph taken in 1886. The plate
of Dr. Gray in his study, facing page 529, is from a photograph
taken in 1879. The view of the present Range of Buildings in the
Botanic Garden, facing page 614, is from a photograph taken for
this work.

295

LETTERS OF ASA GRAY.

CHAPTER V.

SECOND JOURNEY IN EUEOPE. — COEKESPONDENCE.
1850-1859.

DR. GRAY sailed for England with Mrs. Gray in a
sailing packet June 11, 1850. The steamers made
regular trips, but the fine packets were still running,
and it was thought desirable to try the longer voyage
for Mrs. Gray's health.

Dr. Gray renewed acquaintance with his old friends,
and made many new ones, meeting at his friend Mr.
Ward's, where they first stayed, many of the younger
men, Henfrey, Forbes, etc., who had become known in
science since his former visit in 1839.

TO JOHN TORREY.

GHENT, BELGIUM, July 16, 1850.

I surely meant that you should have heard of us
long ere this. But there seemed not to be a moment
of time during the fortnight we spent in England ;
Mr. Ward kept us so busy with every sort of engage-
ment and sight-seeing that J. could enjoy. I meant
to have written at Dover last evening ; but it was not
convenient, so now that we are for the first night in a
strange country (which England is not) I must tell
you, what I trust you have learned from Carey (to
whom I had occasion to write hurriedly, last mail),
that we had a very pleasant voyage of seventeen and

370 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1850,

a half days and came near making it in fourteen, as
we made land early on the morning of the twelfth
day out, no storms, but gentle favoring breezes till we
made the Irish coast; and then, to our disappoint-
ment, we had head winds to beat against all the way
up to Holyhead, and reached Liverpool Saturday
morning. . . .

On Monday we left Liverpool, which has vastly
improved since you saw it; stopping at Coventry and
turning off to Leamington to see, at Darlington's de-
sire, the descendants of old Peter Collinson, l and
deliver some books and letters from him, which I did.
Mrs. Collinson was ill with a severe fall, but her
daughter received the things I brought, and showed
me a portrait of Peter. Then Mrs. Gray and I made
an excursion to Warwick Castle, the fine ruins of
Kenilworth, and Stoneleigh Abbey, driving through
six or seven miles of fine park. The next day on to
London, to Ward, who had insisted on our visiting
him. He lives three and a half miles out of London,
in a pleasant and quiet suburban house ; his son being
established in Wellclose Square.

Boott I saw the same evening I arrived, and two
days later, with J., but not later. He has been
quite sick with an influenza, and a slight but not
altogether pleasant inflammation of the lungs.

To Hooker I went at once also, and got your kind
letter there, and saw Kew. Hooker is quite well;
but Lady H. is very poorly. . . . She inquired most
particularly and affectionately after yourself, and
asked about all your family. . . .

1 Peter Collinson, 1674-1768 ; a London woolen draper, and a cor-
respondent of Bartram, who was the earliest native-born American
botanist.

*:T. 39.] TO JOHN TORREY. 371

On Monday I made another visit to Kew Gardens,
(a grand affair) to show the lions of the place to four
or five young Americans I knew, one of them young
Brace, 1 J.'s cousin, who is making with two friends a
pleasant and profitable pedestrian excursion in Eng-
land. 2 I cannot begin to tell you the half we have
done and seen in England, but we were most busy :
Saturday, conversazione of Royal Botanical Society in
Regent's Park. Wednesday, excursion with Linnsean
Club to Hertford ; saw a great Pinetum, 600 species
of Coniferse, etc., and the Panshanger Oak. (I wrote
Carey a few words of this.) Thursday, a most pleasant
day with Hooker. Miss Hooker looks quite well ; all
send their love to you, all most kind and sweet to us.
Hooker has altered little, but looks older. Brown
looks older perhaps, but decidedly stronger, is as
healthy as possible and very lively. In talking with
him and showing him about it he gave up about Kra-
meria, and said I must be right. He formerly une-
quivocally referred it to Polygalaceae. Bennett is
large and fat. I fear he does not work hard enough.

Yesterday we came down to Dover early in the
afternoon (a striking place), and embarked late in the
evening on steamer for Ostend, which we reached
early this morning ; came right on to Bruges, which
listless and very curious old-world town, and its curi-
osities, we have all day been exploring, till six o'clock,
when we came on twenty-eight miles further by rail-
way to the famous and more lively town of Ghent, —
where I have been running about till the dusk arrived,

1 Charles Loring Brace, son of J. P. Brace. Eminent as founder
of the Children's Aid Society, New York.

2 The result was published in Walks and Talks of an American
Farmer in England, written by his companion, Frederic Law Olmsted.

372 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1850,

and must now to bed, as we have to finish Ghent to-
morrow before dinner, and go on to Antwerp after-
wards, thence to Cologne. I think we shall cut
Brussels.

At Ghent saw the Belfry and the strange old Town
Hall. ... I went to the Botanic Garden (did not
find Professor Kickx), — hardly as large as ours at
Cambridge, and by no means so rich or half so well
kept, though said to be the best in Belgium ; explored
the university library, and strolled through the
streets and along the canals. . . .

Antwerp. — Imagine us settled comfortably at Hotel
du Pare, Wednesday evening, overlooking the Place
Verte, our windows commanding a near and most ad-
vantageous view of the finest cathedral in Belgium,
with light enough still to see pretty well against the
sky the graceful outlines and much of the light
tracery and Gothic work of this gem of a steeple, one
of the loftiest in the world (403 feet, 7 inches) and
probably unsurpassed by any for lightness, grace, and
the elaborateness of the carved work. Napoleon com-
pared it to Mechlin lace. And such sweet chimes,
every fifteen minutes ! The chime at the beginning
of the hour still rings in our ears. We have never
tired of listening to it. ...

BONN, July 22.

We drove through the city (Cologne) to the station
of the Bonn railroad. But on the way the driver, of
his own motion, stopped at the door of the cathedral.
Finding that we had time enough to take a good look
before the train left, we could not resist, and saw this
wonder and masterpiece of true Gothic architecture ;
which by the united efforts of most North German
powers is going on toward completion, in the style and

^T. 39.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 373

plan on which it was commenced seven hundred or
eight hundred years ago, and in which the choir was
finished, and the transepts and nave commenced. It
is most grand ; the grandest thing we ever saw, though
the nave bears only a temporary roof, at thirty or
forty feet less than the full height. The ancient
stained glass comes fully up to one's expectation. I
have never seen the like.

We went up to Poppelsdorf ; such charming and
picturesque view of the Siebengebirge (seven moun-
tains) and the Godesberg, etc., from the professor's
windows and the Botanic Garden ; the museums rich
and curious, and parts of the old chateau in which
they are (now surrendered to the university) not less
so. The botanical professors, Treviranus 1 and Dr.
Roemer, very kind ; some collections to be made ready
here for me to examine when we come back, so that I
must then spend a day here. . . .

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

GENEVA, August 16, 1850.

We went up the Rhine to Coblenz, Bingen, and
Mayence ; thence to Frankfort. By some mistake in
the post office in giving me the address, your letter to
Dr. Fresenius 2 I took to a law-doctor Fresenius, who
was away in Switzerland. So I gave up all hopes of
seeing him, and we fell to seeing the sights by our-
selves, when, a few hours before we had arranged to
go to Heidelberg, the true Dr. Fresenius came in.
We may see him again on our way back. We went
to Heidelberg, for an hour or two only. . . .

1 Ludolf Christian Treviranus, 1779-1864 ; professor of botany in
Bonn.

2 J. B. G. W. Fresenius, M. D., 1808-1866. Wrote many contribu-
tions to mycology.

374 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1850,

It is now the 20th, — time passed fast. I work
to-day in herbariums De Candolle and Boissier, and
to-morrow morning we go to Freiburg and Berne and
the Bernese Oberland. We cannot be back now in
England so early as we expected ; but still hope to
be there by the 20th September. . . .

Thursday morning, after an early breakfast, went
on by railroad to Kehl ; left our luggage and took a
carriage over the bridge of boats, across the lines of the
French republic (?) into Strasburg. Saw Schimper ; 1
then we went to the cathedral, viewed the grand front
of this imposing structure, and the wonderful spire,
the tallest in the world ; were much struck with the
grandeur of the interior, wholly lighted by stained
glass, the greater part of it 400 or 500 years old.
After visiting the Museum of Natural History, and
arranging with Schimper to meet him in Switzer-
land, where he is to pass with his wife (a Swiss lady)
a long vacation, we took our carriage and returned to
the Baden side of the river, and came on to Frei-
burg (in the Breisgau) that evening, reaching it in
the rain. . . .

Professor Braun,2 the brother of the first Mrs.
Agassiz, was very kind to us. He is a very interest-
ing man, of charming manners ; his wife very sweet
and charming, his children most engaging. Saturday
afternoon we took a carriage, and with Professor
Braun rode up a beautiful valley to the Hollenthal
(French, Vallee d'Enfer), a rocky and wooded gorge of

1 William Philip Schimper, 1808-1880 ; an eminent bryologist and
paleontologist.

2 Alexander Braun, 1805-1877 ; a distinguished botanist, the early
companion of Agassiz at Heidelberg ; professor at Berlin. " As an
investigator he stood in the front rank among the botanists of our
time" [A. G.].

MT. 39.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 375

very striking scenery ; wild and majestic, rather than
terrible, as its name imports. . . .

In the afternoon visited the cathedral, one of the
finest and oldest in Europe, that is well preserved.
Here nearly every part, and all the stained glass, of a
most curious kind, is perfectly preserved; and the
spire, though not so high as that of Strasburg, is as
elaborate and light, — as it were of woven stone
thread, — and even more beautiful. . . .

Tuesday we rode from Bale to Bienne (fifty-six
miles) in a diligence, from eight A. M. to five P. M.,
through the Minister Thai, the grandest and most pic-
turesque scenery of the Jura.

Wednesday, a ride of three hours along lakes of
Bienne and Neuchatel brought us to Neuchatel at
eleven o'clock A. M. . . . Professor Godet,1 who re-
ceived me most cordially, took me (with Mr. Coulon)
up the Chaumont, 2,500 feet ; but the Alps were ob-
scured by clouds, at least the higher Alps, and we had
no fine view of them ; otherwise the view was very
fine. We returned by the great boulder Pierre a Bot.
All asked after Agassiz with much interest. Excur-
sions are planned for us when we return. . . .

Dr. Gray enjoyed the visit to Geneva, where he re-
newed his friendship with MM. Alphonse De Candolle
and Boissier, accomplishing some useful work, and
having pleasant social meetings and excursions. He
went to Chamouni . and the Bernese Oberland ; then to
Munich, especially to meet again Martius, with whom
he had been in constant correspondence, and who
made the journey from Tyrol to greet his old friend.
Their few days together were greatly enjoyed.

1 Charles Henry Godet, 1797-1879 ; author of the Flora of the Jura.

376 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1850,

He returned to England, going down the Neckar
by steamboat to Heidelberg, then down the Rhine,
and through Holland, where he saw Miquel 1 in Am-
sterdam, rambling with him on a fete-day through
the streets at evening, enjoying the queer sights ;
went to Leyden, meeting De Yriese,2 with whom was
R. Brown (then staying in Leyden for a few days),
and seeing the Botanic Garden, one of the oldest
in Europe, and well known to Linnaeus. Blume 3 he
missed, but he saw Siebold's 4 collection of Japanese
curios, then most rare. He took steamer from Rot-
terdam to London, and after a few days went down to
Mr. Bentham's, in Herefordshire.

Here were spent two months of very hard work
with Mr. Bentham, who most kindly went over with
him the plants of the United States Exploring Expe-
dition, which had been brought over the Atlantic for
the purpose.

Pontrilas is in a pretty, hilly country on the border
of Wales, with many old churches, almost of Saxon
time, in the neighborhood, to give interest to walks,
and very interesting, agreeable neighbors for a day or
two's visiting, among them the authoress, Mrs. Archer
Clive, who was very kind.

He left Pontrilas early in December to make a visit,
at Dublin, to his friend Professor Harvey, to stay in

1 F. A. W. Miquel, 1812-1871 ; director of the Amsterdam herba-
rium and professor of botany, Utrecht.

2 William H. De Vriese, 1806-1862 ; professor in the University of
Leyden ; author of many important works and memoirs.

3 Charles Louis Blume, 1796-1866 ; in charge of the Colonial Bo-
tanic Gardens at Java ; later curator of the herbarium of the Royal
Museum at Leyden.

4 Philip Franz Siebold, 1796-1866. Wrote Flora Japonica. He
brought from Japan a large collection of curios when the country was
rarely opened to a foreigner, and at the risk of his life.

JST. 40.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 377

the family of Mr. and Mrs. Todhunter, Dr. Harvey's
sister. Going on board the steamer at ten in the
evening, he met with the severe accident of which he
gives an account in his letters. Dr. Harvey came
from Dublin to help in nursing him. His vigor and
elasticity helped him to a speedy recovery, but it in-
creased a general tendency to stoop, and he was never
so erect afterwards.

He was able to get to Kew the last of December,
and spent the winter in hard work in Sir William
Hooker's herbarium, which was then in his house at
West Park.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CUMBERLAND PLACE, KEW, December 28, 1850.
Your kind favor of December 6th, forwarded to
me by Bentham, to Dublin, would have been sooner
acknowledged, but that it found me an invalid. On
our way from Hereford to Dublin I had just gone on
board a steamer at Holyhead, early in the evening ;
had left Mrs. Gray in the ladies' cabin, when, coming
on deck again, I stepped over an open hatchway which
had been left for the moment very carelessly un-
guarded and unlighted. I fell full eighteen feet, they
say, to the bottom of the hold, striking partly on my
right hand and the side of my right leg, bruising and
straining both, but principally on my right side against
a timber projecting from the floor, fracturing two of
my ribs. It is truly wonderful that I was not more
seriously and permanently injured. I was taken on
shore at once and had good medical attendance. I re-
covered so rapidly that in a week I was comfortably
taken across to Dublin, where I was kindly cared for
by good friends ; in two weeks more I left for London,

378 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1850,

able to walk without difficulty ; and to-day, just four
weeks after the accident, I have begun to work at
plants again, in Sir William Hooker's herbarium.
But my side is still tender, and my strength is not
great.

Having said thus much of my bodily condition, let
me no longer delay to thank you heartily for the very
unexpected compliment that you have caused to be
paid me, and to ask you to convey, in fitting terms, my
grateful acknowledgments to the Societe de Physique
et d'Histoire Naturelle, for the honor they have con-
ferred upon me in choosing me as one of their cor-
responding members. I was not aware that I had
rendered any particular services to your society, but 3
shall be very glad to do so if any opportunity offers.
Although, generally, I am far from coveting compli-
ments of this kind, I assure you I am much pleased
to be thus associated with several valued personal
friends, my contemporaries, and with such highly
honored names of the past generation. . . .

We had eight weeks of most pleasant and profitable
labor at Pontrilas, and Mr. Bentham has rendered me
invaluable assistance.

Mrs. Gray joins me in the expression of kind re-
membrances and regard to Madame De Candolle and
yourself.

Believe me to remain, ever most sincerely yours,

ASA GRAY.

Since Dr. Gray was so near Sir William, and work-
ing in the herbarium almost every day, there was much
meeting of old friends, and of many of the men distin-
guished in botany. Robert Brown, with his keen ob-
servation and dry wit, he saw constantly at the British

JET. 40.] VISIT AT OXFORD. • 379

Museum, Dr. Wallich,1 Mr. Miers and many others.
There was some social visiting in London and the
neighborhood. Mr. Abbott Lawrence was then Amer-
ican minister in London, and he and Mrs. Lawrence
were very kind and attentive, giving him a chance to
see at an evening reception some of the great men of
the London world : the Duke of Wellington, Lady
Morgan, Whewell the Master of Trinity, Lord Bough-
ton, Lord Gough, and many others.

It was the year of the first great World's Exhibition,
and the building was then considered very wonderful.
Through the kindness of Professor Lindley he was
enabled to see it before it was completed.

There was a very charming visit to Oxford in
March, where Dr. Gray made most delightful ac-
quaintances. He there first met Dean Church, then
a fellow of Oriel, who had him to dine. He also
dined with Mr. Congreve 2 at Wadham ; met Maske-
leyne, who showed him " some fine talbotypes, which
are a sort of daguerreotype on paper, and have a
beautiful effect for landscapes and buildings." Break-
fasted with Mr. Burgon and Mr. Church, at Oriel, in
Dr. Pusey's old rooms, and met Mr. Burgon again at
dinner, when dining in the " Common Room," at a
dinner given him by Mr. Church, and also Buckle
and Sclater. Dr. Jacobson, then Regius professor of
divinity, afterwards Bishop of Chester, and Mrs.
Jacobson, were very kind. Dr. Daubeny was then
professor of botany at Oxford, and there were some
plants to look at in the small herbarium kept in the

1 Nathaniel Wallieh, 1789-1854, a Dane by birth ; a distinguished
East Indian botanist.

2 Richard Congreve, fellow and tutor of Wadham. Among- his
many publications is The Translation of the Catechism of Positive Re-
ligion.

380 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1851,

little Botanic Garden in an old greenhouse. The
days were crowded with interesting sight-seeing and
in meeting agreeable people.

From Oxford, Dr. Gray went to Cambridge, where
he met again a traveling acquaintance made on the
passage from Rotterdam, Dr. Thompson, then Greek
tutor, later Master of Trinity, who was very kind in
doing the honors of Trinity, King's Chapel, etc. At
his rooms, Dr. Gray met Professor Challis and other
Cambridge men. The grounds about the colleges were
then at their greatest beauty, the banks of the Cam
yellow with primroses, the whole setting off the beauti-
ful bridges and stately buildings. Another traveling
acquaintance met in the street, recalling an experience
on the Furca, asked Dr. Gray to dine with him at
Caius College, saying his name was Mackenzie. He
was Bishop Mackenzie, who died in south Africa.

On returning to Kew, Dr. Gray found Dr. Joseph
Hooker, just back from his journey to the Himalayas
and Thibet. Dr. Thompson l was also there, just home
from India, where he had been imprisoned with Lady
Sale and others, twenty of them in one small room,
during the trouble in Afghanistan. And one day
came an invitation to lunch from the Hookers', " to
meet Mr. Darwin, who is coming to meet Dr. Hooker ;
is distinguished as a naturalist." " Mr. Darwin was
a lively, agreeable person" [Mrs. Gray's journal].

TO A. DE CAKDOLLE.

5 CUMBERLAND PLACE, KEW, April 14, 1851.

For myself I am glad that I am perfectly recovered

from the effects of my accident, and am as active as

1 Thomas Thompson, 1817-1878 ; son of the distinguished chemist
of Glasgow ; explorer and traveler in India ; director of the Calcutta
Botanic Garden.

^T. 40.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 381

ever. I have passed a very pleasant winter, and have
prosecuted my studies to great advantage, though
there still remains, alas ! more for me to do than I
can hope to accomplish in the time that is still left for
me. Your letter was just in time to reach me here ;
for we had just decided to go to Paris early next
week ; to remain there until the 1st of June, at least.
The only drawback is that we thereby lose the society
of Mr. and Mrs. Bentham, who mean to come to Lon-
don early next month. . . .

Sir William Hooker is not yet well, though better
than he was last winter. I have presented your kind
messages, for which he sends best thanks, and is re-
joiced to hear of your recovery. Sir William is truly
a noble man ; the more intimately you know him the
more strongly attached to him you become. . . .

I had thought it quite likely that we might pass
through Geneva again this summer ; but that is not
now possible. The sea, however, is not so broad as
formerly. Believe me to remain,

Very faithfully and affectionately yours,

ASA GRAY.

In April Dr. and Mrs. Gray went to Paris, where
he worked busily through the mornings at the Jardin
des Plantes, taking the afternoon for his sight-seeing.
He met again his old friends, Jussieu, Decaisne, Gay,
etc., and made the acquaintance of M. and Mme. Vil-
morin, both most charming and interesting people ;
the former distinguished as a horticulturist, and both
making investigations for many years on the varieties
of strawberries, for which Mme. V. made all the draw-
ings. Two separate days were passed at Verrieres,
their country home, an old villa belonging formerly

382 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1851,

to the Duchesse de la Valliere. And here to meet him
came old Michaux l the younger, then eighty-one, who
had walked from his home (fifteen leagues), for the
pleasure of seeing Dr. Gray. And it was at Dr.
Gray's request that both Michaux and Jussieu sat for
their daguerreotypes for him, the only satisfactory
likenesses of either. Mr. Francois Delessert2 ex-
tended pleasant hospitalities, and Mr. Webb was very
kind and cordial.

It was during the time of the Republic, Louis Na-
poleon, president, and there were some grand fetes in
May, in honor of the Republic, at which the officers
of the government were conspicuously absent.

Dr. Gray returned to Kew in June to continue his
work, broken only by some days in London.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

PAKIS, April 30, 1851.

DEAR BENTHAM, — I cannot give your message to
Weddell, for he is on his way to the Peruvian cin-
chona forests, to remain a year, — I suppose on a com-
mission from the manufacturers of quinine. Jussieu
still suffers with some affection of the stomach, but
is much better than last winter. Decaisne is quite
well, but is occupied with the Culture, and is little in
the herbarium, where Spach, Tulasne,3 Naudin,4 and
Trecul 5 are in charge, under Brongniart and Jussieu.

1 Frangois Andre* Michaux, 1770-1856; son of Andre* Michaux,
who traveled in North America from 1785 to 1796. Wrote Forest
Trees of North America.

2 Frangois Delessert, brother of Benjamin. Died 1868. Liberal
patron of arts and sciences.

3 Louis Rene" Tulasne, 1815 ; aide naturaliste at the Museum at Paris.

4 Charles Naudin ; now director of the Jardin d'Acclimitation at
Antibes.

5 Auguste Tre'cul, Paris ; writer on Vegetable Histology.

JET. 40.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 383

Webb is well, and so is Gay, who is quite happy, liv-
ing on his half pay, which the Republic has secured
to him, with his rooms free of rent, and some savings
from his former income. I have not seen Gaudichaud
yet; but he has offered to come and show me his
Sandwich Island collections, etc., of which he has
issued some plates, in " La Voyage de la Bonite," but
no text has appeared, and none seems likely to appear.
I gave to Dr. Alexander the list and notes on Fend-
ler's Chagres plants. He will hand it to you when
he sees you in London.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

PARIS, May 6, 1851.

Robert Brown told me that Link would be suc-
ceeded in his excellent and lucrative professorship
either by Grisebach l or by our excellent friend
Braun. Since I have been here, a young man from
Berlin says that the choice has fallen on Braun, — to
my great joy, for I love Braun very much. I have
given Lowell, who leaves Paris to-day, and will be
in Germany in June and July, a letter to Braun, ad-
dressed to Giessen or Berlin.

Prince Paul's sensitive branches of Mimosa catch-
ing unwary travelers is rich !

TO

Wednesday morning, June 11.

Settled down to usual Kew routine ; glad enough
to get back to quiet and superlative neatness ; to less

1 Heinrieh Rudolph August Grisebach, 1813-1879. Hannover and
Gottingen. Professor of botany in the university. " A prominent and
voluminous systematic botanist. His most important work a treatise
on the Vegetation of the Earth " [A. G.].

384 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1851,

elegance than our Parisian quarters, but decidedly
more comfort. The only thing that distresses us is,
that we cannot translate dear Mrs. Crook bodily to
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sure we would if she were
younger ; but the dear old creature will now erelong
be translated to a far better land. . . . Unpacked
(which in interminableness is only second to packing
up) and went down to the Hookers'. . . .

Friday, after writing and dispatching letters home,
we went up to London, shopped, etc., in the City :
streets nasty (the English word is very appropriate ;
no wonder they always use it), and such a contrast to
beautiful and gay Paris, which is vastly more con-
venient and agreeable for shopping. . . .

Saturday, ... a little stroll in the Gardens, which
are looking beautifully, the trees loaded with rich
foliage, and the great masses of Rhododendrons in
blossom.

In the evening went with Dr. Hooker up to the
last soiree of Lord Rosse, the president of the Royal
Society ; too late to see Prince Albert, who came and
went early ; saw the usual dons. Sir Charles Lyell
asked if I had stayed abroad all the time since last
year, or had just come over afresh ! . . .

Wednesday, we were off early in the morning, to
make our first visit to the Great Exhibition. We went
up to town by railroad as usual ; walked over Water-
loo bridge, and having reached the Strand, had the
satisfaction of seeing nine omnibuses pass westward,
all full. Despairing of all hope of getting into an
omnibus, we were just turning to look for a cab, when
a well-dressed and respectable woman, who had been
making similar unsuccessful attempts, rushed up to us,
exclaiming, " Oh ! are you going to the Exhibition ?

^T.40.] TO . 385

Will you not take a cab with me ? I have been trying
for an omnibus in vain this half hour, and I have
made an appointment with some friends there at half
past ten." We agreed at once to this reasonable and
very convenient proposition, and we shared the ex-
pense accordingly, with many expressions of thanks
on the lady's part. Before we had reached within
half a mile of the Crystal Palace we were obliged to
fall into dense line, with a close double file of cabs,
carriages, dog-carts, and other " vehicular convey-
ances," all wending their way thither, a similar file
of empty carriages returning on the other side of the
street ; the sidewalks as well as the roads inside the
park all crowded with pedestrians. Early as we were,
a vast number of people were already there, but scat-
tered through the vast interior, they scarcely made a
crowd, until midday, when the more attractive parts
of the structure, the principal streets and squares, so
to say, were thronged.

As to what we saw, is it not written at length in
the great Official Catalogue (as far as that ponder-
ous document is yet published), besides the Abridged
Catalogue, in itself quite a sizable book, which we
mean to bring home, with the Synopsis, and other
things, quite a library, and I dare say you have heard
and read quite enough about it. I doubt whether you
have seen the excellent and spirited articles in the
" Times," beginning long before the building was
finished, which give a most admirable and lively
account of everything.

The general impression of the interior was not quite
so imposing, did not give such an idea of the vastness,
as when we saw it in April, less full, and the long
spaces unbroken.

386 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1851,

On our way down the nave, we stopped for a mo-
ment to see the Koh-i-noor, but the Mountain of
Light looked to us little brighter than a piece of cut-
glass. It does not come up to the general expecta-
tion. Manage it as they will, it does not shine at all
wonderfully, and the people got it into their heads
that the authorities were shamming them with a glass
imitation instead of the veritable Koh-i-noor ; an
idea well expressed in " Punch," who called it " the
knave of diamonds." We determined to show our
patriotism by going first of all carefully through the
American department, and quite a trial to one's pat-
riotism it is, a great space, very scantily filled 'with
an ill-assorted, incongruous collection (although they
have given up to Russia and France about one quar-
ter of the space that Mr. Lawrence asked for and
insisted upon having) : one long shelf displayed only
half a dozen wooden pails ; another side was decorated
with a miserable collection of cast-off specimens of
autumn-leaves, and below with a case containing five
or six dozen bottles of prepared magnesia, all just
alike, flanked at the sides with a similar collection of
Old Jacob Townsend's Sarsaparilla, surmounted by a
portrait of the illustrious inventor. The strength of
the nation has gone to daguerreotypes, of which there
are about two thousand very good specimens of the
art, it must be said, far better than they can produce
in England. The same may be said of many things,
creditable in themselves, but of which they have filled
up their space, or attempted to fill it, with an enormous
number of specimens, where one or two would suffice.
But wherever anything is quite poor and commonplace,
the exhibitor is sure to make it up in brag, in which
it must be confessed we do " beat all creation."

JCT.40.] TO . 387

Monday we went to the Zoological Gardens, very
extensive, in fine keeping, the richest collection of
living animals of all sorts in the world. Were very
much amused with monkeys of all sorts and sizes,
from those little larger than a rat to the great and
sedate orang-outang,1 just arrived, who is quite a
human and a very respectable grave old fellow. We
saw the hippopotamus, too, but he lay sleeping in the
sun, and would give no sign of life except occasionally
opening his eye and giving a wink. But one of the
most amusing sights was the little suckling elephant,
with its mother, and it was curious to see the little
thing use its trunk as perfectly and knowingly as its
mother. . . . We stayed to see the ferocious animals
fed, at half past four, no great sight, as they behaved
extremely proper, and then we hurried back to the
station and came home to Kew.

A short visit to the British Museum, which is an
immense collection of objects of natural history, sculp-
ture, books, antiquities, etc., etc. Had some botanical
work in the herbarium there (the British Museum),
but did not do anything that day, for we spent the
time talking to Mr. Brown, who was in quite a chatty
mood. He is a singular-looking man, with a very
heavy lower lip and jaw, and generally carries his
head down ; but it is curious to watch him, and see
how he kindles up, and what a satirical twinkle comes
in the corner of his eyes when he tells some story, for
he has a good deal of satire.

Dr. Gray went to the meeting of the British Asso-
ciation at Ipswich, where Prince Albert came for a
few days. Dr. Hooker and Dr. Harvey (who had

1 Died 1892, much lamented.

388 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1851,

been making a visit at Kew), and other scientific
friends, were there. Among other discussions in one
of the sections was one on the possibility of a railroad
to the Pacific, a paper by Asa Whitney, " which had
been brought before the Geographical Society in
London, and reported on favorably."

From Ipswich he made a most interesting visit to
Lady Hooker's father, Dawson Turner, seeing his
very valuable collections, autographs, pictures, etc.,
and returning to Kew to work until breaking up to
go back to America. A short trip was made in Ire-
land, and Dr. Gray went to Pontrilas to say good-
by to Mr. and Mrs. Bentham, immediately before the
voyage. Dr. and Mrs. Gray were again at home,
September 4.

After Dr. Gray's return from Europe, his busy life
went on, filled with college work and the care of the
Garden as accompaniments to a study of the new col-
lections constantly coming in, the work on the Explor-
ing Expedition, the keeping his various botanical
text-books in their new editions up with the advan-
cing science, and his always large correspondence.
His letters were chiefly on the questions upon which
he was working, but with many touches on events
of interest of the day, and little playful turns. He
says in a letter to Dr. Engelmann, " I well know
I have too many irons in the fire."

Unfortunately, Mr. Darwin destroyed all the letters
he received before 1862, except the one published in
his " Life and Letters," which is inserted later, as
well as one to Sir Joseph Hooker taken from the
same volume. The rest of those to Sir Joseph are
mostly bound up in the botanical correspondence at
Kew.

JET. 41.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 389

Dr. Gray was an immense worker. After his
morning mail was received and looked over, that
he might answer any imperative questions, he took
daylight for his scientific work, and, with pauses
for meals, and the necessary interruptions that
came at times, he kept steadily on all the day. He
wrote his letters and his elementary botanical works
mostly in the evening. But in his younger days his
eyes were unusually strong, and he would work with
the microscope by lamp-light as readily as by day-
light.

Though a steady and unwearying worker he was
not rapid. He would throw aside sheet after sheet to
be rewritten, especially if there was anything he
wished to make particularly clear and strong, or
any reasoning to be worked out from the soundest
point of view. It was always a wonder to those
about him that he could stand as he did the unceasing
labor, but he was a sound sleeper even if the hours
might be short, and of a vigorous, wiry, active tempera-
ment, and when he did take a holiday, he took it heart-
ily. His rest and recreation were in journeys, longer
or shorter, and every two or three years some long
outing would be taken, to give him the needed re-
freshment. But he must always be busy even then,
somewhere to go, something to see ; rest in quiet
seemed impossible to him for more than a day at a
time.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

CAMBRIDGE, January 23, 1852.

I am printing on " Plantae Wrightiana3," the first
part of which (as I work in so much general matter,
especially Tex-Mexican), to the end of Composite, will

390 CORRESPONDENCE. [1852,

take 225 pages or more, with ten plates, — the most
important memoir I ever wrote, and will indelibly fix
our name on the Texan-New-Mexican Flora. . . .

I have just found a letter of Sullivant's, dated May
27, 1850, in which he says, " Send me by all means
Wright's Texan Mosses and Hepaticae." . . .

Poor fellow ! as I wrote you before, he lost his wife
while I was away, and was overwhelmed, as she was
everything to him, and as good a muscologist almost
as he. ...

You are in a fine field. Hold on and keep a good
heart. I long to see what Colonel Graham is now

bringing on to me. . . .

. »

June 5.

There, my dear Wright, I consider myself very
much of a gentleman ! For your favor of the 12th
April reached me only this afternoon, and now before
the sun has gone down I am answering it ! Your let-
ter came very opportunely too. For, though Colonel
Graham has been back so long, it was only yesterday
that I got the collection he brought home with him to
Indianola (and the seeds) ; and to-day I opened it
and had looked over only two bundles. -And I was say-
ing to myself, Now if I only had Mr. Wright's list
with localities, I should do very well. And when my
letters came from the office, yours, with said list in-
closed, was among them. The plants look well, but I
have only peeped into them yet. I am glad if you
have found Amoreuxia malvaf olia, but I have not yet
hit upon it. ...

I am still very busy with college work, for a month
longer, and with the Garden ; and the Exploring Ex-
pedition work has been pressing me, and still will.

JET. 41.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 391

But I shall somehow distribute your 1851 collection
very soon, name them up to the end of Compositae, and
in the course of the summer determine many of the
monopetalous families. I have already named and
described a few of these and some Apetalse to please
Colonel Graham, and named a new Pentstemon after
him (which I have growing, too), which compliment
seems to gratify him.

By this time you will have received the index and
plates of " Plantae Wrightianae." Copies are already in
England, and I am about to dispatch many to France,
Germany, etc.

You are indeed an invaluable collector, though you
do like to grumble now and then, and I hope the In-
dians won't catch you. If they must take a scalp or
a head, there are others I could better spare. So take
care of yourself. . . .

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

February 23, 1852.

I carefully keep your flowering bit of Fendlera, ready
to return it if Lindheimer does not get more, as I
trust he will. It is the most interesting of North
American genera, between Deutzia and Philadelphus,
and shows plainly that both are saxif ragaceous. . . .

July 28.

I am worked almost to distraction. But college
work is now over and I can get on with fewer irons in
the fire.

I fear you are driven up hard also, by the sickly sea-
son and cholera. I hope you may be able to give up
practice by and by. . . .

I have had for a good while a misunderstanding with

392 CORRESPONDENCE. [1852,

Captain Wilkes about my work for the Exploring Ex-
pedition botany. It is now made up, I think, or
nearly, but I have had no pay from them for a long-
time, and they are a year behind in paying. I have
got manuscript of several families all ready for the
press, and some fine drawings. I am just now
working up " Plantse Wrightianae," 1851 collection,
up to end of Composite, old stopping-place, but must
dash beyond that soon. . . .

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, December 4, 1852.

Here is a discovery ! I have to-day received by
post from Dr. J. F. Beaumont, of Mountain Home, in
the upper part of Alabama, specimens of a Tricho-
manes, which he finds growing there under shelving
rocks. I send you herewith the half of what is sent
me, knowing you will be much interested in the dis-
covery, for the first time, of a Trichomanes in the
United States; and thinking that you will probably
pronounce it to be a form of the T. radicans, though
so much smaller than my Irish and West Indian speci-
mens. ... I have not specimens enough of T. radi-
cans to satisfy myself entirely, and refer the question
to your experienced judgment. Pray give me your
opinion, for the addition of a single species to
our few ferns, and especially one of this group, is a
matter of moment to us, and worthy of a published
notice.

I should not be so greatly surprised now if Hyme-
nophyllum ciliatum, credited by Willdenow to Vir-
ginia, should turn up, but I still think there was some
mistake about that ; and I could find no specimen in
Willdenow's herbarium when I sought for it, ' in
1839. ,

MT. 42.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 393

Next Wednesday's steamer, which takes this letter,
will also take, for a short European tour, my good
father-in-law, Mr. Loring, with Mrs. Loring, and Mrs.
Gray's brother Charles. A rather sudden determina-
tion, but we have strongly urged the journey ever
since the death of their dear little boy, the little Ben-
jamin, who seemed given to be the comfort and stay of
their declining years, who was born just before our
return home, a year ago last summer. The rest and
change are needful to Mr. Loring, also, from being
worn down by his long-continued labors at the bar, of
which he is perhaps the leader in Boston ; I am con-
fident it will be of great benefit to him ; and the
Old World has much to interest a man of his refined
taste. . . . And then Kew Garden is to them one of the
wonders of the world, as well as a place with which
they have, through us, so many pleasant associations.
Should you wish them to enjoy the privilege of seeing
the Gardens under your own kind auspices, would you
notify Mr. Loring through Boott (for I do not
now know what will be their London address), of a
day that would be agreeable and convenient to your-
self. . . .

January 4, 1853.

Wright will now soon be off in Ringgold's North
Pacific Surveying Expedition, to explore Behring
Straits, Kurile Islands, the coast of Japan, if possible,
and to winter at the Sandwich Islands.

So we shall have no more New Mexican plants from
him.

My new memoir, " Plantae Wrightianse," is now al-
most aH printed, and contains many novelties. I
never had a collection so rich in entirely new things.

394 CORRESPONDENCE. [1853,

I long to hear what you will say of the Trichomanes
from Alabama which I sent you.

With best wishes for the new year to you and all
yours, I remain, Yours affectionately,

ASA GRAY.

January 28, 1853.

" It never rains but it pours " is an old adage suit-
able to this meridian and illustrated by what I now
send you, namely, a second Trichomanes from Ala-
bama ! discovered by the indefatigable Thomas M.
Peters, Esq., of Moulton, who (and not Mr. Beaumont,
it appears) was the first finder of Trichomanes radi-
cans in Alabama.

This one seems to me clearly a new one. . . .

I think it particularly appropriate in this case that
it should bear the name of its discoverer, so I have
called it Trichomanes Petersii, and have sent a little
article on it and Trichomanes radicans to " Silliman's
Journal." . . .

In 1853 began Dr. Gray's long correspondence with
the Dean of St. Paul's, — a friendship whose intimacy
was ever increasing and which lasted through his
life.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

February 7, 1853.

MY DEAR MR. CHURCH, — Since I heard, which I
did first from Mr. Clough, 1 that you were about to
marry and take charge of a parish, I have been long-
ing every time I wrote to England to add a line ex-
pressing my most sincere congratulations. I hope you

1 Arthur Hugh Clough, 1819-1861. The poet was resident in
America from November, 1852, to June, 1853.

^T. 42.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 395

will not think me too presuming if I make bold to
do so, and if I ask you where your parish is, for I
would gladly form some idea of where your home is to
be. Pleasant and desirable on many accounts as an
Oxford life must be, yet I cannot but think you more
appropriately placed in the pleasant parsonage I can
fancy, the centre of a little world of your own, and
the spiritual guide of an attached body of parishion-
ers, where you will be very happy and very useful.

Still let us hope that the visit to Cambridge, New
England, is only deferred, to afford us a double grati-
fication. I think you can sometimes leave your parish
for three months, or even more with special leave, and
the voyage is becoming shorter and cheaper every
year.

I have looked through the " Times," which I see
regularly through the kindness of a friend, thinking
that I might perchance see your appointment, presen-
tation, or whatever it may be, mentioned ; but in
vain.

By the way, I am glad to see that you have elected
Mr. Gladstone. Your name on the Oxford Commit-
tee makes me suppose you have not yet left Oxford.

Dr. Albro has returned in restored health, and
speaks with much gratification of his visit to Oxford,
only regretting that your absence prevented his mak-
ing your acquaintance until the last moment of his
short stay.

Mr. Clough brought me a letter from Maskelyne of
Wadham College. Circumstances, I am sorry to say,
have yet prevented me from seeing him here as much
as I could wish. I hope soon to know him better.
He has excellent and influential acquaintances ; but
one hardly sees what he is to do.

396 CORRESPONDENCE. [1853,

If he holds Unitarian views, as I have been told,
he will perhaps be more favorably situated, just in
Boston or Cambridge, than in England, and probably
meet more cultivated and more religious people of
that persuasion than at home. But if he sympathizes
rather with Francis Newman and that school, as
some one tells me, I should think he would not find
that class of people here very attractive to him. But
I hope that is not his bent. I have no partiality for
Unitarianism, though it is the faith of near and valued
friends. I am an orthodox Presbyterian, as my fathers
were. But in England I should be a Churchman,
although a pretty low one, at least in some respects ;
and I am a most hearty well-wisher to the Church of
England. So pray, when settled in your parish, just
drop me a line to say where you are, and how old
your parish church is ; for hankering after antiquities
is, as an Oxford man told me, a great failing of
Americans.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, March 28, 1853.

MY DEAR FRIEND, — I am all the more glad that I
can direct your attention to the fourth volume (new
series) of the " Memoirs of the American Academy of
Arts and Sciences," p. 382, where you will find your
name enrolled as the sole Honorary Member for Swit-
zerland.

Ordinarily neither you nor I would be at all solici-
tous for such recognition. I care not to have them
except where (as in the Linnsean Society of London,
the French Academy, and your own society of Ge-
neva) I well know the nominations are strictly and
conscientiously weighed, and where the list to be

MT. 42.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 397

filled is a limited one. But we here prize the name
of De Candolle so highly that we count it a privilege
to have it on our foreign list. . . .

I should state that this academy, the oldest but
one in America, was in a state of inactivity and hebe-
tude since the death of its former president, Bow-
ditch, till 1843, the year after I came to Cambridge,
when it was determined, chiefly by some of my col-
leagues in Cambridge, to restore it to life and vigor.
It is now full of life. The number of its foreign
members is now limited to seventy-five, and they are
chosen by a very formal process and a very rigid
scrutiny, so as to have only the very best names in the
several departments of knowledge. Formerly they
were chosen without such care ; so that there are
names on the list that could not be placed there now.
Hereafter the list will be a most select one. . . .

Hereafter we will send our parcels through the
Smithsonian Institution and through its agent, Mr.
Hector Bossange, Paris. You justly praise the publi-
cations of this institution. It is on the point of
issuing another splendid volume ; and at least one a
year will continue to be issued.1

Liberal in its distribution, the Smithsonian Institu-
tion looks to its exchanges as a means of building up
a library valuable for scientific researches in this
country. You may remember that, when at Geneva,
I ventured to ask you to recommend to the Socie*te de
Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de Geneve, to vote
its series of memoirs to the Smithsonian Institution.

1 It also often has the distribution of a certain number of public
documents of scientific value. I am about to ask its secretary to pro-
cure for you, if possible, a copy of Fremont's two reports, which you
desire, — if too late to procure it gratis, as I fear, to purchase the vol-
ume at my expense. — A. G.

398 CORRESPONDENCE. [1853,

But you thought it would not then be quite proper to
request it. Now that the institution has given such
evidences of its vigor and productiveness, and that I
can assure you it is only beginning to do its work,
and that in number of volumes it will soon overtake
you, I venture to renew the request which I was then
requested to make ; and I think that your society,
with these assurances, and in view of the good offices
of the Smithsonian in promoting interchanges (at no
small expense), would freely accord the earlier vol-
umes of its memoirs, on your proposition. . . .

Dr. Harris l has made interesting researches on the
plants cultivated by our aborigines, which I urge him
to publish ; but he is one of those persons who are
never quite ready to print as long as they live.

I have long suspected that Helianthus tuberosus
came from North America. I should like to study
from what indigenous species it comes. . . .

As to the " Botany of the South Sea Exploring Ex-
pedition," the manuscript and the drawings are ready
up nearly to the Leguminosse ; and the printing, which
is not under my control, is about to commence. The
work will probably make three quarto volumes and
300 folio plates. I shall be sure to have a copy to
send you. As to the specimens, there are few dupli-
cates ; and of these I am not myself allowed to retain
any. Possibly, hereafter, some may be awarded to
me. That expedition did not land on the high Antarctic
coasts it saw, and therefore made no collections there.
Its Antarctic collection is all from Orange Harbor,
Tierra del Fuego, and has little that is new.

The most interesting part of the collection was
made at the Sandwich and Feejee islands.

1 Thaddeus Wm. Harris, 1795-1856 ; librarian of Harvard College
and a distinguished entomologist.

^T. 42.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 399

My wife and I well remember what a charming
place Vallon is, and retain pleasant memories of our
trip to the Saleve under the charge of Madame De
Candolle, despite the bad weather which spoiled the
view. We should delight to revisit Switzerland.
Having no children, it is not impossible that we may
do so ; but the time, I fear, is far in the future. . . .

I have written a much longer letter than I had
intended when I began.

Believe me to remain, yours very faithfully,

ASA GRAY.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

CAMBRIDGE, July 14, 1853.

MY DEAR ENGELMANN, — This cover has been ad-
dressed to you for a long while, but I have delayed to
fill and close it, not so much because you had not
written, for I knew you must be very busy now, but
because the convenient time has not exactly come.
For I have been very busy. College work done up
only last week ; printing of " Exploring Expedition
Botany," in which I have read proofs up to 220 pages,
and gave to-night finished manuscript (except a few
crooked points to settle in a family or two) up to the
end of Rosaceae (which will make about 450 pages.
It fills up fast with the open pages adopted in these
reports). I shall carry on the volume to 550 or 650
pages, and the plates folio, already 56, shall carry up
to 100, if I can. There is next some tough work in
Myrtaceae and Melastomaceae ; but as to the latter Nau-
din has much cleared the way. Those done, and I
think I may venture to work part of the time on the
Lindheimer, Fendler, and Wright Monopetala3.

Agassiz returned most delighted with his visit to
you, and we talked much of you. . . .

400 CORRESPONDENCE. [1853,

I am afraid to touch Gregg's Mexican plants, for
fear of the time they would consume. In " Exploring
Expedition," I branch out little or none, except a few
notes in Malvaceae, and probably more in Composite.

If I could do the work abroad, I could work up
collateral things most advantageously ; but the means
here at disposal are too poor.

Still, you will be pleased with my volume i. when I
finish and send it to you (the letterpress this fall !).

No specimens scarcely of Cactacese in collection
Exploring Expedition, — a drawing or two. I shall
send them on to you presently. . . .

I grieve to tell you that Adrien de Jussieu is dead.
Cancer in the stomach, his tedious malady proves to
have been. It makes a deep impression on the sci-
entific men, and the public, too, in Paris. He was
much my most intimate correspondent in France, a
true friend, and a charming man.

You know, perhaps, that Moquin-Tandon has suc-
ceeded the late Achille Richard at L'Ecole de Me*de-
cine. Tulasne, I suppose, will be the new professor
at the Jardin des Plantes ; at least he ought to be,
as he is the most able man.

No farther news since my last.

Agassiz looks poorly and says he is not well. . . .

I never could get Fouquiera up. To-day I have
sown some seeds, and put on my own table, by the
window, to watch. . . .

18th AugTist.

Agassiz handed me your note about the Compass
plant. I took him at once into the Garden, to see Sil-
phium laciniatum, terebinthinaceum, and pinnatifidum.

He agreed there was no direction to be made out,

JET. 42.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 401

one way more than another. The cauline leaves all
tend to become vertical (as in several other Compo-
site), but present neither face nor edge north.

But three years ago Lapham of Wisconsin wrote
me that, though the plant near Milwaukee showed no
" polarity " (and so he never believed in it), yet on
going farther west, on the prairies, he found it did
generally turn all to the north there.

If I remember aright, though, he said the surfaces
of the leaf look north and south. You say the edges?
How is this ? Compare notes with Lapham. . . .

What do you think I am about now ? Kevising gen-
era of Myrtaceae for Exploring Expedition collection.

In these exotic orders I frequently find the genera
so at loose ends that I cannot make the plants of our
collection lie comfortably till I have given the genera
a good shaking up. I should be tempted to do much
more of this if I could work at Hooker's, or in Paris.
It is quite as well not, as it would cost no end of
time. . . .

I have found some *Fouquiera seedlings up in the
Garden. I am right about it ; not Torrey. The leaf
is not axillary and its petiole inclosed in the spine ;
but the spine is a hardened inferior portion of the
petiole that persists, and from which the rest falls
away clean. . . .

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, August 3, 1853.

MY DEAK SIR WILLIAM, — I will endeavor to get
some account of Shakerdom for you. They are a
queer people indeed.

Manilla paper l is made of old manilla rope, which

1 Dr. Gray sent to Kew manilla paper for the genus covers in the
herbarium.

402 CORRESPONDENCE. [1853,

is largely used by our shipping. But what plant
yields the manilla hemp for this cordage I have not
the means of knowing, that is, whether the Musa
textilis or no. I have been promised specimens of
the stem of the plant, etc. But the climate makes
our countrymen indolent there, and forgetful. I will
ask for statistics as to the paper manufacture. . . .

I shall be pleased to have you figure as many of our
ferns as you can ; and pray give names to all new
species without hesitation. They will be more fitly
named by the describes than by any one else.

I note with satisfaction what you write about genera
of ferns. This pushing a single character (as vena-
tion) without regard to consequences, and giving it
the same importance when it does not accord with
habit as when it does, is the fault of most botanolo-
gists who restrict their view to one subject or one idea
only. I am glad that you will carefully revise the
genera on your own judgment.

By the way, the fern I sent you last spring, and
which you called Asplenium * montanum, Willd. (a
species I used to know well), struck the collector
(Beaumont), as it did me, to be different. Pray col-
late, and perhaps figure it, as well as the ordinary A.
montanum.

I was grieved to hear of the death of Adr. de Jus-
sieu, with whom I have had a very pleasant corre-
spondence for the last three years, and to whom I was
attached as to no other Frenchman. His late letters
were so cheerful and lively, and even hopeful, that the
news of his death took me by surprise, notwithstanding
the steady failure of his health for a long while. . . .

We remember with interest that dear Harvey sets
out to-morrow on his long voyage.

JET. 43.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 403

TO B. W. CHURCH.

Christmas Eve, 1853.

MY DEAR MR. CHURCH, — It is a good time to
remember old friends and to bring up, as well as one
may, arrears of neglected duty. I have long unac-
countably neglected to acknowledge your letter of the
24th August, and to thank you most heartily for
the interesting volume of your collected reviews, which
reached me a little earlier (I know not how it was so
long delayed between New York and Cambridge), and
which I have received and read with much pleasure,
that is, all I have yet read. For I am saving the
article on Dante for my first leisure hour. The first
I read was the article on Pascal and Ultramontanism,
of which I greatly admire the delicate and thorough
handling.

I wish I could send you something of any interest.
But I am not well enough satisfied with the elemen-
tary work which I use as a text-book for my lower
classes to offer it ; and besides that I have published,
since last in England, only memoirs of the botany of
our new western regions, one volume of the botany of
a Government South Sea Expedition, etc., all dread-
fully dry and technical.

I have been unusually busy this year, and am just
now especially so, having to complete the preparation
of nine lectures on Vegetation, which I am to give be-
fore the Smithsonian Institution at Washington next
month.

I do not much fancy popular lecturing, and do this
only to please a very valued friend, Professor Henry,
the secretary of this institution. This over, I shall
return to my regular plodding work at home, with
great satisfaction.

404 CORRESPONDENCE. [1853,

I do not wonder that you feel a little nervous about
the result of the experiment at Oxford. I can well
understand it, and if I were an Oxford man, which I
should count it a high honor to have been, I should
share the feeling. I count it an excellent thing that
the new enactments were framed by friendly hands, and
are not very sweeping. As far as I can judge from
the election of the present council, those of the Move-
ment party by no means have it all their own way.

It seems to me that the admission of Dissenters to
the A. B. degree is a wise measure, and one that will
do no harm to the university nor the church. But
I see not how they can go further. It would not be
right that they should pass to the A. M. and share in
the government of the university.

Any position at Oxford or Cambridge which allows
of matrimony must be a desirable one for a person
of scholarly pursuits. I can hardly think you will
pass your life at Whatley, but trust you will have
some better preferment and a wider field of duty be-
fore long, before Mrs. Gray and myself will be likely
to pay you the visit you kindly solicit, for I see no
near prospect of our revisiting England, though no-
thing would please us more. . . .

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

7th December, 1853.

I got dreadfully behindhand with everything.
" Exploring Expedition Botany " stopped printing for
a long time, but is now renewed ; three hundred or
more pages are printed, and copy sent to printer up
to Leguminosae (excl.). Meanwhile, to look over
Brackenridge's manuscript of the Filices, to turn
a loose ungrammatical lingo into English, and his

^T. 43.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 405

English characters into Latin, is a tedious job ; then
to read his proofs is another. But if I did not do all
this, very bad work indeed would be made of it. Late
in October Mrs. Gray and I went to New York for a
week, to visit Torrey and to see the New York Exhi-
bition. Returning, I had to bear my part in a course
of lectures, which the American Academy gave to the
public (to replenish our publication funds) ; and to
prepare and deliver my two lectures, on the relations
of plants to the sun, cost me almost the whole of
November.

Sprague is too slow, and too feeble in health, to
do half what I want done, let alone others. I must
import an additional draughtsman. If you know any
in Germany good enough, who would come out, let me
know at once. If not, I must try at Paris. . . .

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

May 21, 1853.

The Kurile Islands will be a fine field ; and I hope
you can do much among them. Collect some speci-
mens of everything you see there. . . .

CAMBRIDGE, February 19, 1854.

Sinner that I am, I have four letters of yours un-
answered ; the last from Simon's Bay, November 4th.
The fact is I do not find time to write half the letters
I ought, and those, like yours, which are not to be
dispatched on some particular day, I am sure to post-
pone and neglect interminably. It seems so vague,
too, to be writing to a man, you know not where,
somewhere on the other side of the world, and you
know not when the epistle may reach him, say six
months hence.

406 CORRESPONDENCE. [1854,

Nor is it easy to reflect and remember what I have
been doing, so as to tell you. . . .

I forgot to tell you, too, that Thurber l called on
me and offered his plants collected under Bartlett.
I have written out the greater part up to the end of
CompositaB, my old sticking-place, a number of new
things, mostly from deeper down in Sonora than you
went, and in southwest California. Beyond doubt
Torrey will work up a part. I shall merely furnish
characters and botanical remarks to Thurber, and let
him do all the rest of the talk. Bartlett is still in
hopes that the Senate will print a great report for
him. I greatly doubt if they do. If so, Thurber's
botany will go as an appendix. If not, he will make
a memoir of the things up to CompositaB, and the
striking things beyond, and afterwards I may lick up
the rest in the general continuation of " Plants
Wrightianae," etc.

Meanwhile the United States minister at Mexico
has been making a treaty, now before our Senate, for
buying a further slice of Chihuahua and Sonora, to
take in Lake Guzman and the Sonora country some
way south of where you went, that is, below San Pe-
dro. So there will have to be a new survey if this
treaty is ratified, and a chance of more botany. I
wish you were to be here to attend to it; only you
have already taken off the cream of that country, and
can now do more, and find more novelty, in some of
the countries you are going to.

From Governor Stevens's party, from Minnesota to
Washington Territory, north of Oregon, bundles of

1 George Thurber, 1821-1890 ; born in Providence ; botanist to the
United States and Mexican Boundary Survey Commission ; then in
the Assay Office in New York ; later, editor of the American Agri-
culturist ; a student of grasses.

^T. 43.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 407

plants are sent home to Baird and by him forwarded
to me. Wretched specimens, and nothing new
among them ! . . .

Captains at sea are very apt to get a little crusty,
which should be minded just as little as possible. I
expect to hear that, after getting well settled and at
home in the Vincennes, you find yourself comfortable
and all pleasant. Gentlemanly conduct and devotion
to one's pursuits will at length make one respected,
anywhere.

When you return, I trust you will yourself prepare
the botanical report of your cruise. I hope so, for
your own sake, both scientifically and because your
doing so will keep you on pay some years longer on
shore. I will aid you, if I live, most willingly over
knotty points, etc. ; perhaps would like to do certain
families further than that ; not, if you will take hold
of it yourself, as you ought to do.

I suppose you will have found nothing new at the
Cape, though the vegetation there must have been
novel to you. It will be pleasant, in the long cruises,
to study yourself the plants collected at the last port.
Did you get any nice Algae ? Look out for them
hereafter.

When you are on surveying-ground, you may prob-
ably be transferred back to the steamer again.

Presently your letters will be coming to me via
California. I hope to continue to hear such good
accounts of your health and activity. Do not measure
my interest in your letters by the number I myself
write, though I mean to write oftener in future. No
news here, scientific or other. Mr. Carey, you know,
has gone back to England to live, and has married a
young wife there, moreover.

408 CORRESPONDENCE. [1854,

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, March 28, 1854.

I send a glass bottle filled with the pulp and seed of
Cereus giganteus as gathered by the natives, and used
for food, the same as what I formerly sent you a small
quantity of in a letter, trusting the seeds would grow,
as they are not subjected to heat in making this jam.

I have some pieces of the wood of the great Wel-
lingtonia tree, which I estimate to be not older prob-
ably than the Christian era. Torrey has no fruit, nor
have I ; but there are some cones in Philadelphia.
The wood is very like that of the red-wood, i. e., Tax-
odium sempervirens. I hope we shall get the male
flowers, but I have no correspondent in California,
and Torrey no very good or energetic ones.

How hard it is to believe that there is a European
war ! I trust it will be short. Some of our own peo-
ple are behaving very badly about Cuba, but it is
mostly talk for effect, and will lead to nothing, we
hope.

TO GEORGE THURBER.

CAMBRIDGE, 20th April, 1854

DEAR THURBER, — When yours of the 17th ar-
rived, and till now, I have been too much absorbed
in college duties to consider it, as I now rapidly will.

Ranunculus 441. I never liked naming a plant
after a person who has had nothing to do with it, as
collector, describer, and nothing else ; therefore do
not like R. Huntiana. We will wait for some other
mode of complimenting Mr. Hunt. Moreover, I have
hit on a name which pleases me tolerably, viz., R.
hydrocharoides, which, by your leave, we will adopt.

Thurberia specific name ? That is a question to

^T. 43.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 409

consider, and no very pat name at once applicable
both to the species and the discoverer occurs to me.

"Thurberia palmata" might pass, and would angli-
cize into " the handy Thurber," but then the hand
has only three fingers.

" T. tridactyla " would meet this ; but only birds are
tridactylous ; besides, the uppermost leaves are entire.

Taking another tack, from its smoothness, we might
say, T. glabra or T. laevis ; or, as I believe you have
not a strong beardf T. imberbis. But, on the whole,
perhaps it would be as well to indicate merely the
nearest affinity of the genus, and call it "Thurberia
thespesioides," as it is nearest Thespesia. Take your
choice, though, of any of the above, to which add " T.
rosea," if the color of the flower warrants that name.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, June 1, 1854.

MY DEAR FRIEND, — It was with great pleasure
that I received from you, two days ago, your letter of
the 2d May. I counted myself your debtor, although,
indeed, my last letter of 18th October is of later date
than yours of the 1st October, which it crossed on the
ocean, and I was only waiting until I could announce
a small envoi to you, namely, that of a copy of the
1st volume of the " Botany of the United States Ex-
ploring Expedition in the South Seas," which has been
more than a year in printing. This 4th volume (777
pages) is at length happily printed off, and just in
time, too, for sending you a copy (unbound, direct
from the printing-office at Philadelphia) in the an-
nual envoi of the Smithsonian Institution.

The atlas, of 100 plates in folio, which should ac-
company this volume, is by no means ready, owing

410 CORRESPONDENCE. [1854,

to the slowness as well as the feeble health of the
artist, Mr. Sprague ; perhaps, even, it may not reach
you before next year, by the same mode of convey-
ance.

I have now, indeed, some hopes that the " Flora
of North America " may soon be carried through the
GarnopetalaB, I elaborating at the same time, in a gen-
eral memoir, the Gramopetalae of Wright's, Fendler's,
and Liiidheimer's collections in continuation ; a pretty
formidable matter !

In a separate small parcel you will find (in the
Smithsonian envoi) some brochures for you. . . .
Among them is a short article in " Silliman's Jour-
nal," accompanying a reprint of a great part of Dr.
Hooker's Introductory Essay to the " Flora of New
Zealand." Agassiz here is committed to the view op-
posite to Hooker's, in an equally extreme form. I
wished to interpose some criticisms to both views, but
had only time to touch briefly on one or two points.
I wait with impatience for your work on " Geographic
Botanique," expecting very much from it, from your
great ability, long study of the subject, and fairness
of mind. Indeed, I was daily expecting to learn that
it was published ; and now you tell me that the print-
ing is barely begun ; the " Prodromus," volume 14,
not yet begun ! But I am one of the last persons
who ought to complain of delay in execution. . . .

From the family of the late M. de Jussieu, you
should receive a copy of the " Epistolse Linnaeano-
Jussieuanse," with our late friend's notes, etc., the last
scientific work of his too short life.1 I intended to

1 From a letter to Sir W. J. Hooker : " Curious that this correspon-
dence, after lying so long, should at length be printed and published
in New England." — A. G.

,ET. 44.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 411

send you a copy myself, but at the request of M. Ra-
mond I surrendered the small extra edition to his
charge for distribution. In due time you will have a
copy in the volume of the " Memoirs of the Amer-
ican Academy " also. My daguerreotype of M. Jus-
sieu was most opportunely taken. His family, having
no recent portrait, have solicited the loan of it, to aid
in the preparation of an engraved likeness; and I
have placed it in their hands.

I delayed the last sheet of the " Correspondence "
long, awaiting an answer to my request for some ma-
terials (notices, eloges, etc.), from which I could pre-
pare something of a biographical nature to append,
but I received nothing, at least until too late. In the
May number of the " Kew Journal of Botany," Hooker
has reprinted my brief note ; but by some accident,
the marks of quotation are omitted from the two last
paragraphs, which appear as if written by the editor
of the "Journal." . . .

Believe me to remain, my dear friend and honored
colleague, as ever, your sincerely attached,

ASA GRAY.

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, February 5, 1855.

MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, — The inclosed, from our
good friend Dr. Short,1 and the box it advises, came
while I was at Washington, from which I have just
returned. Mrs. Gray and I have enjoyed our month's
holiday very much ; though I was kept busy enough,

1 Charles W. Short, M. D., 1794-1862 ; professor of materia med-
ica in the University of Transylvania, Lexington, Ky. Removed later
to Louisville. Dr. Gray named for him Shortia galacifolia, discovered
in Michaux's herbarium in Paris, in 1839.

412 CORRESPONDENCE. [1855,

having to deliver nine lectures in three weeks. We
had arranged to have a few days at New York, in
which I could work with Dr. Torrey ; but the good
man was called off to Washington on business just as
I left that place, and we crossed en route, and I came
on home in consequence. ...

I am very glad Mr. Smith was pleased with the live
plants I sent. Please remind him that I should like
to share in the distribution of seeds this spring. And
if I find time to make out a short list, I may ask for
some live plants again. . . .

I have a Cereus giganteus six inches high, and I
saw several others. They have no hair, and appear
very unlike C. senilis. . . .

There is an authentic account in some numbers of
" Silliman's Journal " last year* of the size of that
prostrate trunk (Wellingtonia-Washingtonia).

Mr. Blake, at Washington, told me something of it,
but I forget the numbers. I will ask him, as he is a
reliable person. But 450 feet is rather too tall.

So they would talk about the tree that was felled
being 3,000 years old (and took in Lindley), whereas
it was not quite 1,300 ! It appears to grow much
faster than S. sempervirens.1 . . .

1 On the 2d July, 1872, Dr. Gray saw the Calaveras and Mariposa
groves. In the Calaveras Grove he counted, with one of his fellow-
travelers, the rings and took measurements of the fallen tree " Her-
cules." His memoranda of the size, etc., were : —

Height when standing was 315 feet.

A section at 21 feet from ground was 6 feet 10£ inches radius, on
the line counted.

Layers

Counted on it 1,500

Uncounted sapwood (est.) . 30

centre " . 10

Growth to 21 feet " . 10

Estimated age (years) . . 1550

Rate of growth.
First century . . 10j in. radius

" 400 years . 27£ " "
Last century . . 3£ " "
Last 400 years . 14 " "

*;T. 44.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 413

A great loss in Forbes's death. I have been trembling
lest I should hear that Dr. Hooker is chosen to the
chair at Edinburgh, which would give him very good
pay, I suppose, and he would fill tne place well, but
it would take him away from special botany, which
would be a great pity. . . .

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

May 29, 1855.

The class which leaves college this summer have be-
spoken photographic likenesses, on paper, of their pro-
fessors, — my colleagues and myself, — and this gives
me an opportunity of obtaining from the artist some
duplicate copies of that for which I sat, and which Mrs.
Gray pronounces a very good likeness.

It is not so much vanity that induces me to ask you
to accept of the copy I inclose, as the hope of get-
ting yours in return, if that same style be adopted in
Geneva, and be as little expensive as here, — to add to
the already considerable number of portraits of bota-
nists which make the chief adornment of my rooms, —
among which the fine engraving of your distinguished
father is conspicuous. I need not say that I should
be glad to place the likeness of the son near to that of
the father. Ever, my dear De Candolle,

Your sincere and faithful, ASA GRAY.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

August 28, 1855.

For a long while now I have been waiting for a
good evening when I was not too tired to write you
a long letter to meet you in California, in return,
though a poor return, for your several nice letters
from China.

414 CORRESPONDENCE. [1855,

It is now time my letter was off, — when lo and be-
hold ! -

Yesterday morning I was sitting here busy with
steady work and not expecting much interruption ;
now, this evening, my passage is taken, my trunk
packed, I am hurriedly closing up affairs, and to-mor-
row morning go on board steamer America and sail
for Liverpool. I have to go and look after my bro-
ther-in-law, who is sick in Paris of a fever. No one
of the family can go but me, and I manage to find the
time. Mr. Loring pays the traveling charges, and
off I go, to be gone, however, not over two months, per-
haps not so long ; a week in Paris, another at Kew, a
few days more in England ; this must repay me (be-
sides the consciousness of having done my duty) for
some twenty odd days of discomfort at sea !

What have I been doing of late ? Not much ac-
complished, i. e., published. Of my " Plantse Novae
Thurberianse " and " Notes on Vavsea and Ehytidan-
dra " I have sent you copies already, but I will send
you more.

A useful article on the Smithsonian Institution, in
July number of " Silliman," probably you have seen
in the " Journal ; " never mind, I send you a separate
copy by mail. Some critical notices which I have no
copies of.

What I am about doing, I can always talk largely
of. I am preparing a new edition of the " Manual of
Botany of the Northern United States," and a new
elementary work 1 of a familiar character, to go with
it, separate and with original pictures on wood by
Sprague, and I am to finish the "Flora" volume and
"Plantse Wrightianse" with it. I have determined

1 First Lessons in Botany.

.ET. 44.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 415

Berlandier's plants up to end of Composite. Also I
have done, along with Torrey, the botany of several
expeditions across the continent for railroad surveys,
which are soon to be published. Work goes slowly
and I grow old. This little holiday will not be a bad
thing for me, though it puts me back a little.

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, October 23, 1855.

Now that I am quietly settled at home again, my
episode seems almost like a dream, — a very pleasant
one, however, since it gave me the pleasure of seeing
once more some most valued and hear friends. I was
absent only six weeks and one day, of which twenty-
two days were passed upon the water.

I found all well here on my return, but I was
deeply grieved to learn the news of our beloved friend
Dr. Torrey' s bereavement. It was about a month ago
that the companion of his life, almost from his youth,
was removed to a better world, after an illness of only
a few days. . . . She was • one of the most actively
good, self-denying persons I ever knew. There are
many to mourn at her departure out of her own fam-
ily, especially among the poor and the distressed. . . .
She was one of my earliest and best friends, one to
whom I owe more than to almost any person ; and I
feel the loss as I should that of a near and dear rela-
tive.

I wrote you a line, with some inclosures, while at
sea, and posted it at Halifax, N. S. . . .

When I send the package from Holton, 1 I wish

1 Isaac F. Holton, M. D., 1813-1874; teacher and professor of
natural science in Vermont, and missionary pastor in Illinois. Pub-
lished in 1857 New Granada, Twenty Months in the Andes.

416 CORRESPONDENCE. [1855,

also to send you live seedlings of a palm from>Sonora,
Mexico, raised from seeds gathered by Thurber, and
one or two other things.

I do not forget the large " cypress knees " I prom-
ised, which will be rather striking in your famous
museum, and I look out for an opportunity to send
by sailing vessel direct to London.

Remember me affectionately to Lady Hooker (for
whom Mrs. Gray incloses a few lines) and most cor-
dially to Mr. Bentham, who so kindly came down
from the country to give me the opportunity of seeing
him, for which I am greatly obliged.

P. S. — I forgot to tell you that, by the hands of
Hon. Miss Murray (who returns to England by this
week's steamer), I send you the September number
of " Silliman's Journal." Should she forget to send
it to you, please remind her when she comes to Kew,
as assuredly she will, to talk about her Florida new
fern. I have filled up the Ward case which she
brought over, also a box of American plants which
she takes, I suppose, for Mr. Fox Strangways. Her
various boxes and packages will nearly fill the ship,
I should think.

Miss Murray is a most lively, most active person,
has traveled widely through the country, and trav-
ersed rough places, such as no other woman past
sixty ever did. She has seen a great deal, but heard
very little, I should think, as she talks incessa»tly,
and in a lively, interesting way, too.

You will not be disappointed by the suppression of
her manuscript by her English friends, I suppose, for
she is fully determined to rush into print, to print
her journal just as it was written from day to day ; for
she now feels she has a mission to rescue the South

JST. 44.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 417

from the obloquy and wrong heaped upon it by us of
the North, and by England. Save the mark !

At any rate, her journal will be piquant.

I am anxious to know how far we can economically
use the post for the transmission of printed matter.
Perhaps I could safely send you " Silliman's Journal "
in this way. As an experiment I now send you our
University catalogue. No, it will not do, I see, for
anything weighing over two ounces or three. Beyond
this the rates increase woefully. . . .

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

18th October, 1855.

Yours of August 30th (answered by my wife) was
written when I was one day at sea. Yours of Octo-
ber 13, which arrived to-day, was written two days
after I reached home again. I had two very pleasant
voyages, on the whole, and not long, ten and a half and
eleven and a half days; eleven days in Paris (where
I was detained a little by a severe cold on my lungs)
and a week in England, mostly at London and Kew.
I found my brother-in-law so convalescent that I
might have stayed at home, and I brought him home
with me in good condition. We had hoped, till the
last moment, to get places in the steamer of the 13th
October, and to have had a fortnight more in Eng-
land. But all the places had been engaged for months,
and nobody was giving up berths up to the time we
sailed ; so we had to come in steamer of the 29th ult.,
where we got a good stateroom by great luck, though
the vessel was greatly crowded. Dr. Joseph D. Hooker
(whom I had wanted to see for some time) being
away in Germany, and time being extremely valuable
to me here, I was on the whole very glad to get home.

418 CORRESPONDENCE. [1855,

The naturalists at Paris were en vacance, and mostly
away. I saw only Brongniart, Spach, Gay, Dr. Mon-
tagne, and Trecul (who sent, I believe, some pam-
phlets for you ; the package is not yet unpacked),
and my good friend Vilmorin. Boissier was there
from Geneva.

In England I spent all the little time I could com-
mand at dear Hooker's at Kew ; and Bentham, then
in the country, came down to see me. I made a long
and interesting call on Robert Brown, who is very old,
but full of interest. I shall not again see this Nestor
of botanists, as well as facile princeps, in this world.

Hooker was much delighted when I told him you
were coming next spring to see him at Kew. He in-
sisted upon taking me over to see the Cactus house,
and all through it, so that I might tell you what a
mass of Cacteae there are there ; and he will be much
pleased to have you work among them. He spoke
about his Cuscuteae, but was not at all displeased at
your retaining them; begged you would work them
up if possible before returning them. You will be
charmed with Sir William when you see him.

As to the " Manual," my plan, as at present advised,
is to cross the line of slavery a little, to take in Ken-
tucky and Virginia ; this makes the real division, in
botanical geography, between North and South. It
should be Northern ground, too, down to this line : for
north of it slave labor is good for nothing ; and there
would be no slaves there, except for the Southern
market. I cannot take in Missouri, for I must make
the Mississippi my boundary. But all your St. Louis
plants cross into Illinois, do they not ? Tell me how
this is. I shall get at work at the new edition soon.
I shall first press on the " Lessons " a little further.

^T. 44.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 419

About Fouquiera ; I have examined it here repeat-
edly on the live plant, which every year prolongs its
main axis an inch or two. And I took leaves to
Providence to show there, especially to remove any
lingering doubt on Torrey's mind. For Torrey would
long have it that the spine was a primary leaf, and
that an axillary leaf adhered to it by its petiole. He
now knows better.

I just saw Agassiz. He looks well and strong. . . .

I read Alphonse De Candolle's " Geographic Bota-
nique Raisonnee " on the voyage home : a most able
work it is, full of interesting matter very methodically
arranged. Hooker and Thomson's "Flora Indica,"
vol. i., is famous for its able introductory essay, etc.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

October 27, 1855.

Your welcome letter of the 7th of August duly
reached me. I meant to have surprised you by an
answer dated at Paris ; but the eleven days I passed
there were too busily occupied to allow it. M. Bois-
sier will have told you of my sudden voyage, and the
cause of it. I was absent from home only six weeks
and a day ; and twenty-two days of the forty-three
were passed on the water. On returning home I
found here :

1. The excellent lithographed portrait of yourself,
a pleasing and pretty good likeness. Of the three
copies I have offered one to Torrey, the other* to Short.

2. The copy of " Geographic Botanique," which
you so kindly addressed to me. (I have already
learned that Agassiz and Darlington have theirs ; but
Torrey not his, and I have directed inquiries to be
made.) This was not my first introduction to the

420 CORRESPONDENCE. [1855,

book ; for I bought a copy of Masson in Paris, to
read on the voyage, when I could have more leisure
than at home. And I carefully read it then (after
having dispatched Hooker and Thomson's " Flora
Indica ") up as far as to p. 1087, when I was obliged
by the close of the voyage to break off, at a very in-
teresting point ; and I cannot yet resume the reading.

I cannot sufficiently express my profound admiration
of this book, so thorough and conscientious, so capital
in its method, and embodying such a vast amount of
facts well discussed ; it might well be the work of a
long life. I have marked in many places points on
which I may have a word to say, sometimes little de-
tails to add or correct, sometimes a criticism to hazard.

If time (which is now precious to me) permit, I
will write a series of articles on it for " Silliman's
Journal," which will serve to make the work gener-
ally known to our people, and in which I can insert
any commentaries I have time and room for. One
article I will devote to plants introduced into this
country from Europe. Now that you have so well col-
lected and digested the principal information, it will
be easy to complete and correct some points ; and this
may be useful to you hereafter, as well as to me. . . .

I will procure from Dr. Harris any information he
has collected about the potato, which, if Raleigh took
it from Virginia to England, must have been brought
to Virginia from South America. It was certainly
unknown to our aborigines, who, however, along with
maize, cultivated beans (Phaseoli) and squashes (Cu-
curbits).

Dr. Hooker had written to me, eulogizing your work
in the highest terms. I missed seeing him when in
England.

JKT. 45.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 421

Agassiz speaks most highly of it ; but I think he
has only looked rapidly through its pages as yet. . . .

I am at this moment preparing to begin the print-
ing of the 2d edition of my " Manual of the Botany of
the Northern States." . . .

In consequence of your book, I shall take pains to
classify the introduced plants, according to the degree
of naturalization, etc.

Many thanks for sending me your portrait. I am
already quite rich in the likenesses of botanists, many
of which adorn the walls of my apartments. . . .

Believe me to remain, my dear friend, yours very
faithfully and truly, ASA GRAY.

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, February 25, 1856.

MY DEAR SIR WILLIAM, — Holton is bringing
out a book upon New Granada which will be interest-
ing. . . .

The cypress knee sent was the best and handsomest
I had, though not the largest. I am glad it pleases
you. But you mistook what I said, or meant to say,
which was, that tucked away in the hollow you would
find placed a specimen of a forming knee, not much
bigger than your knuckle, on a piece of root a foot or
so long. Was this overlooked or lost? Please tell
me ; for I can replace it with another, and physiolo-
gically it would be well to show the formation in its
various stages. . . .

I want to send you a book by a young friend of
ours, Olmsted, on the seaboard slave States,1 an admi-
rable volume, full of information, and lively withal.

1 A. Journey in the Seaboard Slave States, with Remarks on their
Economy. By Frederic Law Olmsted. New York, 1856.

422 CORRESPONDENCE. [1856,

I wait for an opportunity. Lady Hooker will be
interested in it. Our united warm regards to her.

Thanks to the Duke for anything to facilitate trans-
mission of printed matter. But it is still high ; for
example, your " Journal," which I get by post, costs
6d. each number, paid in London, and about Id. more
paid here. There is still room for improvement. I
dare not send you " Silliman's Journal " yet by post.

June 30, 1856.

Charles Wright, who was in the North Pacific
Expedition under Ringgold and Rogers, has left his
ship at California instead of making the voyage round
Cape Horn, and crossed over the Nicaragua route, in-
tending to botanize there some months. Finding him-
self there among our vile filibustering people, and all
in confusion, however, he was soon obliged to come on
home. He is awaiting the arrival of his ship, and
will not till this autumn be able to touch his Pacific
collections, of which the best and principal were made
in Hongkong, Bonin, and the Loo Choo Islands and
Japan. That they are not larger is not his fault.

Wright has a perfect passion for collecting plants ;
and already begins to plan other explorations. To
satisfy his cravings for a while, I have proposed to
him to go to St. lago de Cuba, and explore that end
of the island. What do you think of it ? Has any
botanist collected there ? Would it be too like
Jamaica to offer much novelty? But to return. In
Nicaragua, Wright collected a goodly quantity of
seeds, one set of which he wishes me to send to you ;
a present to Kew Gardens, as I understand it. ...

By the way, it was most lucky that I hurried up
and had sent on to you the copy of Brackenridge's

JET. 45.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 423

" Filices ; " for a fire in Philadelphia has consumed
all of the poor fellow's edition of the volume except
ten copies which had been sold mostly in Europe. A
sad and a heavy loss to B., who had no insurance,
and something to me who had advanced to him the
paper for printing it on, which now the poor fellow
is in no condition to pay for. I have not even a copy
of the atlas myself, but I shall get one from the gov-
ernment plates, which are preserved. Brackenridge
utterly despairs of reprinting it. But possibly the
government will set up the type for him again, as
they have also lost a part of their small impression.
Otherwise the book will have the value of excessive
rarity, if it has no other. . .

May 25, 1857.

I hear with delight that you are meditating a trip
to America, and I write forthwith to express my own
and Mrs. Gray's and my good father-in-law's earnest
hope that you will come over, even if it be for a few
weeks only. The rest of the voyage cannot but be
useful to so busy a person as you constantly are, and
a run through the country, and a sight of the Yankee
world, would interest you. At the Montreal scientific
meeting you would see several old friends and many
new ones. Torrey, Greene, Darlington,1 James,2 etc.,
would be half frantic with pleasure at the thought of
seeing you ; so it will not do to hint at such a thing,
until you give me authority ; and as for my wife and

1 William Darlington, M. D., 1782-1863, of West Chester, Penn. ;
author of Flora Cestrica, " one of the best of local Floras," and
Memorials of Bartram and Marshall, etc. " A most faithful botanist.
His forte was the clear and accurate description of plants " [A. G.].

2 Thomas Potts James, 1804-1882. Born in Radnor, Penn. A
proficient and authority in bryology.

424 CORRESPONDENCE. [1856,

me, we will look after you like dutiful children, will
go with you to Niagara, or to Lake Superior, if you
will go so far, for there is nothing would give us so
much pleasure as a visit from you ; and if you would
bring Lady Hooker or Mrs. Evans, or both, with you,
it would be charming. The voyage is nothing to speak
of, traveling here is easy and rapid, although not so
very comfortable, as in England, and a good deal of
the country can be seen in a few weeks without much
fatigue. Pray do come, and exceedingly gratify,
Your affectionate and faithful A. GRAY.

TO JAMES D. DANA.

December 13, 1856.

MY DEAR DANA, — I duly received the sheets I
asked for.

The right way to bring a series of pretty interest-
ing general questions towards settlement is perhaps in
hand (though I do not expect myself to bring any-
thing important to bear on it), viz., for a number of
totally independent naturalists, of widely different
pursuits and antecedents, to environ it on all sides,
work towards a common centre, but each to work
perfectly independently. Such men as Darwin, Dr.
Hooker, De Candolle, Agassiz, and myself, — most of
them with no theory they are bound to support, —
ought only to bring out some good results. And the
less each one is influenced by the other's mode of
viewing things the better. For my part, in respect
to the bearings of the distribution of plants, etc., I
am determined to know no theory, but to see what the
facts tend to show, when fairly treated.

On the subject of species, their nature, distribu-
tion, what system in natural history is, etc., certain

^ET. 46.] TO JAMES D. DANA. 425

inferences are slowly settling themselves in my mind,
or taking shape ; but on some of the most vexed ques-
tions I have as yet no opinion whatever, and no very
strong bias, thanks, partly, to the fact that I can think
of and investigate such matters only now and then,
and in a very desultory way.

I cannot say that I believe in centres of radiation
for groups of species. From Darwin's questions to
me I think I perceive some of the grounds on which
he would maintain it. One is attended to on page
77 of the January number [of " Silliman's Journal "],
but I am not clear that they are not just as susceptible
of other interpretation.

But as to a centre of radiation for each separate
species, I must say I have a bias that way. You seem
to have also, and you can best judge whether this,
combined with geological considerations, would not
involve centres of radiation for groups of species as
well, to a certain extent. Would not the fact that the
members of peculiar groups (in Vegetable Kingdom)
are to a great extent localized favor that view ?

I am glad to hear that your idea of the unity of
the human species is confirmed more and more. The
evidence seems to me most strongly to favor it. And
you well discriminate the separate questions of unity
of birthplace and unity of parentage. . . .

As to the physical question, surely you do not sup-
pose that, in a fresh race, the one or two necessary
close intermarriages would sensibly deteriorate the
stock. Look at domestic animals of peculiar races, —
how long you can breed in and in without much abate-
ment of health or vigor !

Did you ever consider the question of the cause of
deterioration from interbreeding ?

426 CORRESPONDENCE. [1857,

I think I have somewhere in the " Journal " stated
my notion about it, or hinted at it. If not, I will, some
day ; for I have a pretty decided opinion about it :
that hereditary transmission of individual peculiari-
ties involves also, among them, the transmission of dis-
ease, or tendency to disease, — a constantly increas-
ing heritage of liability as interbreeding goes on ; in
plants well exemplified by maladies affecting old cul-
tivated varieties long propagated by division.

I should much enjoy a visit with you at New Haven,
and so would my wife, no less. Hope we may some
day. . . .

Yours faithfully, A. GRAY.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

March 26, 1857.

Fendler is back again in the country of Venezuela,
and making fine collections. He will complete the
sets of his former distribution, but not send the same
things over again. He has found many more Filices.
Will you and M. Dunant continue ?

On Wright's return home he was troubled with
rheumatism, and longed for a warm climate to pass
the winter in. So I sent him to the east end of Cuba
(where I wished the Huets to go). He is doing very
well there.

Oregon is still in a disturbed and unsafe state. But
I should inform you that a commission has been raised
to run our northwestern boundary with the British
government ; and it will probably be commenced this
year. The party would have a sufficient escort, and
this would give the Huets a safe opportunity for
botanizing across the continent in a high latitude, if
they are so disposed. I know not any details, but

JET. 46.] TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 427

I could learn them, if need be, and there would be
no difficulty in procuring needful protection for the
Huets, they finding their own subsistence.

I have published two statistical articles, based on
my " Botany of the Northern States," in " Silliman's
Journal," and a third is now printing in that journal
for May. I shall have extra copies to send you.
There are other topics I mean to take up, if I can
find time. . . .

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

May 4, 1857.

Since your letter came I have looked up and read
the article in the " Edinburgh," and like it much.
Your few words about Genera, page 517, appear to
comprise the gist of the whole matter. As to your
fuller exposition, not being able to lay hands on the
" Literary Gazette," I wait to see your article in
the "Journal of the Linnsean Society."

I am particularly interested in what you write of
your popular " British Flora," and the English names ;
and I am going to ask you to explain to me more
fully the principles on which you proceed. For, if
practicable, I am going to have occasion to do some-
thing of the sort here. Pray illustrate your plan a
little; as I see much difficulty in carrying it out,
except in so small a flora as the British, where every
plant has a popular name. One additional difficulty
here is that our common English names are mostly
misapplied ones, and the plants that have indigenous
trivial names have too many of them, varying in dif-
ferent parts of the country.

How do you name the orders ? What relation will
you have between your specific names and your

428 CORRESPONDENCE. [1857,

generic, and how many words will you allow each to
consist of ?

Give me your names through some family, say
Ranunculaceae. If I can see my way clear, I shall
follow your lead, or cause it to be followed on an occa-
sion which will soon be presented.

I wish I had known of Clitoria Mariana-acuminata,
etc., in time to add it to my list in the last number of
" Silliman's Journal ; " a copy of the article was sent
to Dr. Hooker by post last week. I will send more,
from my extras, presently.

I am quite prepared for what you say about inter-
change of species of United States and Europe taking
place via Asia, instead of across the Atlantic ; but you
will see there are a few, besides aquatics (Subularia,
Eriocaulon, etc.), which would seem to have taken the
shorter cut.

As respects identical species, interchange is the
only thing that, on our views of what a species is, will
explain the occurrence of the same species here and
there. But as to genera, I do not yet feel free to
assume an interchange, or a former continuity of land,
between two widely separated regions on account of
their having identical genera or closely related species.
I see no reason why cognate species may not have
been originally given to most widely separated sta-
tions ; and, as to the facts of association, can we say
more than this, that the species of a genus are apt
to be confined to one part of the world ? Are there
not too many cases to the contrary to warrant our
suspecting former 'continuity of two remote districts
on account of common genera? Peculiar genera,
such as Torreya, Illicium, Philadelphus, Astilbe, etc.,
divided between Japan and the United States of

^T. 46.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 429

America, indicate some peculiar relation, and are
most noteworthy, but I do not see why it points to
connection.

I am very glad you are turning your good, logical
mind and immense knowledge to this class of topics ;
but do not let it run off with too much of your valua-
ble time. I take far more satisfaction in discussing
questions of botanical affinity ; and long to get back
to that sort of work. Just now, I must needs be ab-
sorbed in elementary work and teaching, but look to
see an end of this.

I have been watching the development of the ovules
of Magnolia ; nothing can be more normal than they
are, in the early stages.

When Wright comes home from Cuba I expect to
get hold of his considerable north Japan collection,
which I expect to find very interesting on questions
of distribution, the very questions you ask me to con-
sider.

I doubt if our " mountain backbone " actually stops
any species, itself, from advancing east or west.

I wish you would compare our White Birch with
the European B. alba, and let me know the result.
Also the Chestnuts. ...

TO B. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, May 15, 1857.

An acquaintance en route for Scotland has offered
to take some small parcels for me.

Among them is one I have taken the liberty to
address to you, a copy of a very elementary book1 I
have prepared as an introduction ;to my favorite
science, finding there was no one in use here which I

1 First Lessons.

430 CORRESPONDENCE. [1857,

thought fit to put into the hands of young beginners.
Here botany is taught, somehow or other, in most
schools, and generally by incompetent teachers from
wretched books, i. e., those used in the ordinary
schools and for young people.

I have endeavored, in the little book I send you, to
make real science as easy and simple as possible. I
doubt if I have yet aimed low enough ; but the book
seems to take, and promises to be useful.

Although not adapted for your meridian (where
you have doubtless good elementary books enough),
yet when your boy, who must now be five or six years
old, if he has been spared to you, gets a few years
older, I shall be much gratified if this little volume
should interest him, and aid you somewhat in devel-
oping in his mind a love for the study of nature in
one of its pleasantest branches. . . .

I want to offer you my new " Manual of the Botany
of the Northern United States," not that it can be of
any use or of much interest to you, but must not load
my kind acquaintance with more parcels. I wait for
an opportunity of sending through the booksellers,
before long.

TO JAMES D. DANA.

November 7, 1857.

If you have plenty, please send me two more copies
of your " Thoughts on Species."

I first read it carefully, a week ago, and I meant to
write you at once how I like it, and a few remarks,
but something prevented at the time, and I have been
very busy and preoccupied ever since.

For the reason that I like the general doctrine, and
wish to see it established, so much the more I am

MT. 46.] TO JAMES D. DANA. 431

bound to try all the steps of the reasoning, and all the
facts it rests on, impartially, and even to suggest all
the adverse criticism I can think of. When I read
the pamphlet I jotted down on the margin some notes
of what struck me at the time. I will glance at them
again, and see if, on reflection, they appear likely to
be of the least use to you, and if so will send them,
taking it for granted that you rather like to be criti-
cised, as I am sure I do, when the object is the surer
establishment of truth.

In your idea of species as specific amount or kind
of concentrated force, you fall back upon the broadest
and most fundamental views, and develop it, it seems
to me, with great ability and cogency.

Taking the cue of species, if I may so say, from the
inorganic, you develop the subject to great advantage
for your view, and all you say must have great weight,
in " reasoning from the general."

But in reasoning from inorganic species to organic
species, and in making it tell where you want it and
for what you want it to tell, you must be sure that
you are using the word " species " in the same sense in
the two, that the one is really an equivalent of the
other. That is what I am not yet convinced of. And
so to me the argument comes only with the force of an
analogy, whereas I suppose you want it to come as
demonstration. Very likely you could convince me
that there is no fallacy in reasoning from the one to
the other to the extent you do. But all my experi-
ence makes me cautious and slow about building too
much upon analogies ; and until I see further and
clearer, I must continue to Jhink that there is an
essential difference between kinds of animals or plants
and kinds of matter. How far we may safely reason

432 CORRESPONDENCE. [1857,

from the one to the other is the question. If we may
do so even as far as you do, might not Agassiz (at least
plausibly) say, that as the species Iron was created
in a vast number of individuals over the whole earth,
so the presumption is that any given species of plants
or animals was originated in as many individuals
as there are now, and over as wide an area, the hu-
man species under as great diversities as it now has
(barring historical intermixture) ? — so reducing the
question between you to insignificance, because then
the question whether men are of one or of several spe-
cies would no longer be a question of fact, or of much
consequence.

You can answer him from another starting-point,
no doubt ; but he may still insist that it is a legitimate
carrying out of your own principle. . . .

The tendency of my mind is opposed to this sort of
view; but you may be sure that before long there
must be one more resurrection of the development
theory in a new form, obviating many of the arguments
against it, and presenting a more respectable and
more formidable appearance than it ever has be-
fore. . . .

I wanted to say something on the last two pages,
but as I have nothing in particular to except to, and
much to approve, and as it is late bedtime, I spare
you further comments.

I set out to find flaws, as likely to be more sug-
gestive and therefore far more useful to you than any
amount of praise, with which I could fill page after
page.

JET. 47.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 433

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, December 6, 1857.

Your first letter is now gone to Sullivant, because
you speak of him so handsomely, and say that Mitten
is instructed to prepare a set of Mosses for him. A
noble fellow is Sullivant and deserves all you say of
him and his works. The more you get to know of him
the better you will like him.

Let me tell you about my " Manual of the Botany
of the Northern United States." It was quite impossi-
ble, of course, that the publishers should provide such
illustrations as the fourteen plates and keep the book
at a salable price, so Sullivant, on his own motion, had
the eight plates of Musci engraved in copper, at his
own cost, for $630 (about £126), and gave them to
the work, after printing 250 copies for his separate
booklet I sent you. I gave the six plates of Ferns,
etc., cut on stone by Sprague to complete the plan.
In the "Journal" you are wrong in supposing that
the Musci were even drawn by Sprague. If in time
please correct this when you notice his book. Sulli-
vant drew them all with his own hands (as he did
those of former memoirs which pleased you well), and
had them copied and reduced to proper size by a Ger-
man artist he employs. So that besides his labor, he
has expended at least X180 in money, on these plates.
They were executed on copper by a young engraver
in Boston.

Your second letter, begun the day the other was
dispatched, reached me a few days ago, while dear
Torrey was here on a visit. He has just returned to
New York. We called to see Greene, but he was not
in.

434 CORRESPONDENCE. [1857,

TO GEORGE BEXTHAM.

November 16, 1857.

I have noted with interest Naudin's doings in Cu-
curbitaca?. It has induced me to look a little into the
geographical question, and I begin really to think C.
Pepo, and perhaps others, are American. Mr. Sopho-
cles, our Greek tutor, who knows cultivated plants
well, and everything about medieval and ancient
Greek, is quite clear that the ancients knew nothing
of pumpkins and winter squashes, and is able to cor-
rect De Candolle's lucubrations in one or two points.
Our New England and Canadian aborigines had
beans, too. These and Cucurbita came north from a
warmer climate with maize, I presume. . . .

When I got your proof-sheet of the " British Flora "
and your long letter of 28th May, there was something
I wanted to talk about, I dare say, but there was
no writing then, as you had gone abroad, and now
the subject is all out of my head. But I have oc-
casion to take up the subject of popular names of
plants quite seriously in a week or two, and I may
have something to remark.

I wish to follow your lead, but should be disposed
to go rather farther than you do in adopting English
names. For instance, I would certainly adopt Mouse-
tail instead of Myosure. Myosure is hardly more
English than before clipping its tail a little, and
Mousetail is the exact equivalent. Corydal and As-
tragal I quite like, as they have really no English
names. I incline to Crowfoot as a generic appellation.
To extend it over the whole genus is only doing
what is so often done with scientific generic names.
In the case of genera having very strongly marked
subgenera, would it not be possible to let the subge-
neric name govern the popular nomenclature ? as say —

4ST. 47. J TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 435

Pear ; genus = Pyrus, under it
Pear, with its species ;
Apple, 1. Common Apple,
2. Crab-Apple, etc.

There are formidable difficulties about this popular
nomenclature, yet they must be surmounted in some
way or other.

As we are making much of English, why not say
" rootstock " instead of " rhizome." I do not like
French forms. I would even say " pod " instead of
"capsule," in popular parlance.

Kindly send me proofs as you go on. I want much
to see them.

Wright's collections in North Pacific Expedition
are here, and he is turning over his Behring Straits
collection and trying to work it out, with some help
from me. There is a Hongkong collection ; there may
be some of these he would like to ask you to name,
so far as you may off hand. The Japan collection I
will elaborate myself. There is not so much from the
north as I expected. They had no chance to explore
the small islands connecting with the Kurile Islands,
I have only peeped into one or two parcels ; but in
one I saw two things which will interest you as much
as they did me. Imagine the two most characteristic
possible eastern United States plants, Caulophyllum
and Diphylleia, both, I believe, our very species. Tell
this to Dr. Hooker !

The only domestic news I have to tell you is, that
on a hot August day our beloved Newfoundland dog
was found dead, — really a sad loss. To console us
my brother-in-law, a fortnight after, sent me a puppy
of the same breed, an uneasy, frolicsome, awkward
fellow yet, but promising to be intelligent and very

436 CORRESPONDENCE. [1857,

handsome. We could not bear to give him the name
of his lamented predecessor ; so Mrs. Gray named him
Hans, — a souvenir of Pontrilas. . . .

Dr. Gray's dogs and cats were always well-recog-
nized members of the family. He had a great love of
animals, which was warmly returned by his different
pets. In his early married life the kittens he helped
raise by feeding them with a dropping-tube from his
microscope rather preferred him to their young and
careless mother, and, confounding all other men with
him, were perpetually scrambling into laps, to the
surprise of callers. Two grew into fine cats, who de-
manded a regular attention and consideration from
him, reminding him by gentle taps, one on each side,
when bedtime came.

Of his first dog, he always said that they stood
more in the relation of brothers than master and dog ;
and the dog felt a guardian care of him. The differ-
ent characters of his two Newfoundland dogs, and
of the smaller ones he had later, interested him, for
they were singularly different, though both the New-
foundlands shared his affection for a pretty Maltese
cat who had succeeded the other cats ; they were espe-
cially fond of her .kittens and attentive to them, allow-
ing them all sorts of liberties. The cats and dogs
always lived affectionately together. Dr. Gray always
recognized their good consciences, which varied some-
what with the different type of animal, and considered
that the size of different breeds had much to do with
their characteristics. They always learned to eat what
their master did ; not so much, he would say, from
any preference for oysters and dry toast, as that they
were ambitious to do as far as possible what he did.

JET. 47.] TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 437

He was very skillful in the handling of animals, and
they recognized it in allowing him to perform small
surgical operations, to dress wounds, etc., with a touch-
ing trust and submission.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

March 9, 1858.

MY DEAR BENTHAM, — Many thanks for yours of
February 14. Although much pleased to hear from
you, I cannot expect to hear often, unless you have
something special to say. No one but Hooker can
write long and frequent letters while he is doing such
a vast amount of work, and keeping up such a fresh,
and keen, and scrutinizing interest in such a great
variety of subjects. I wonder how he does it. How
well oiled the machinery of his brain must be to do
it all without great wear and tear ! If you or I had
half these matters to think of at once, we should go
distracted. Warn Hooker to take good care of him-
self and not break down in health. It is a facility
which he inherits, that of turning from one thing to
another without loss of time or of working power.

I shall be pleased to see the " Handbook " when
it is out. Never mind what people say. I dare say
the little book will do a great deal of good. . . .

I am glad you will distribute more of Spruce's
plants. I want especially any of his Andes collections,
for Banos was one of our Exploring Expedition sta-
tions. I am going to finish up our Exploring Expedi-
tion this year (D. V.), and have done with it. That
and some other things done, and I dream of coming
fover to England, and working at nothing but " North
American Flora," de novo. I hope I may, and that
I shall find you and Mrs. B. as fresh as ever, and en-
joying yourselves to the full. . . .

438 CORRESPONDENCE. [1858,

April 26.

My last book1 in elementary botany is now just
off my hands, and will be out in a fortnight. I hope
it will be of use. Forgive me for writing horn-books,
and I am now done with that sort of work. There
were several convincing reasons for doing it.

TO DANIEL CADY EATON.2

February 23, 1858.

I dare say you may learn something here as to
teaching, etc., if you can pick it up yourself, which,
after all, is the only way anything worth knowing is
obtained. But from now to the end of April I am
just overwhelmed with work, and shall have no time
to give any special instruction.

At the opening of the term I begin my drilling of
Sophomores in the " Botanical Text-Book." My lec-
tures to a selection of Juniors, on Systematic Botany,
I do not ordinarily commence till April 1, but this
year I am able to begin early in March, though not
much work is done till May. You might attend
Agassiz's lectures, but he will not be back from Flor-
ida as soon as the opening of the term.

Let me know how much instruction you have to
give this year, and of what sort, and I can see whether
I can help you much. I dare say you will teach very
well.

There are certain little matters you might pick up
about class illustration and manipulation without it
costing you much time. We were just thinking of
sending you Wright's Hongkong ferns.

1 How Plants Grow. Sir Joseph Hooker in Nature, February 16,
1888, says of How Plants Grow and How Plants Behave, "that for
charm of matter and style they have no equal in botanical literature "

2 Daniel Cady Eaton, professor of botany at Yale.

J5T.47.] TO DANIEL CADY EATON. 439

Suppose you come on, count as a pupil, or as a vis-
itor, as you like, work away as you think best, making
preparations for your course, in which I will help you
all I can. And at the same time work up Wright's
Hongkong and Bonin and Japan ferns (bring any
books you want which I have not). I want to drill
you a little at systematic work, and think you will
learn something that way. Come straight here. We
shall want you to stay with us, if the house is empty.
And if not we shall make no difficulty of sending you
down to the Brattle House. But it would be so much
more convenient here.

I am very desirous that you should be duly estab-
lished at Yale, and have no doubt you will satisfy the
college and fill the place with comfort and credit.

We will talk over matters at odd moments when
you come.

I shall be most glad to help you as a friend and
fellow-worker ; but I cannot promise any special in-
struction, and shall take no fee. " Dog does not eat
| dog," is the saying, you know.

Judge Lowell writes, in 1888, u I was in college
when Dr. Gray was appointed to his professorship at
Harvard, and ours was, I think, the first or one of the
first classes to whom he lectured. I remember his lec-
tures well, they were so full of knowledge and of en-
thusiasm and so calculated to impress the young mind.

" I suppose he had not lectured much of late years ;
and in his many other successes, his powers as a lec-
turer may have been overlooked by those who have
written of him."

Dr. Rothrock, in his address before the memorial
meeting of the botanical section of the Academy at

440 CORRESPONDENCE. [1858,

Philadelphia, speaks of Dr. Gray's patient drilling of
him in writing his thesis, making him go over and
over it again, until it had been rewritten six times
before he allowed him to be satisfied with it. His
pupils would always remember his comment when
satisfied, — " That is neatly stated."

And Dr. Farlow shows the picturesque figure " hur-
rying down Garden Street (on lecture mornings) so
covered by the mass of branches and flowers which
were to illustrate the lecture that his head and body
were hardly visible." l

" The few who gathered around the little table in
Harvard Hall, in pursuit of knowledge which did not
count in the college reckoning, will never forget the
untiring patience with which he explained what then
seemed difficult, the contagious enthusiasm with which
he led them on from simple facts toward the higher
fields of science, or the tender personal interest which
he showed in their hopes and half-formed plans for
the future; an interest which, on his part, only
strengthened as years passed on, and makes them
now mourn, not so much the death of a great botanist
as the loss of a sympathizing friend." 2

TO W. J. HOOKER.

April 30, 1858.

I must tell you that in humble imitation of Kew,
I am going to establish a museum of vegetable pro-
ducts, etc., in our university.

The erection of a new building for the Museum of
Comparative Anatomy and for the Mineralogical Cab-
inet liberates the very fine hall used for the Miner-

1 Botanical Gazette, March, 1888.

2 Memoir of Dr. Gray, American Academy, 1888.

JST. 47.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 441

alogical Cabinet formerly. This I have applied for,
and obtained for my purposes, and am taking into it
the various things I have picked up from time to time.
It is a room about forty-five feet long, with deep al-
coves the whole length of each side, already shelved,
and with glass doors to> the cases, a window in each
of the ten alcoves ; the centre, or nave, serves for my
lecture-room. So now I shall beg all my students
and correspondents to send me every sort of vegeta-
ble thing ; so if there is anything you need still from
this country you should let me know ; and whenever
you are overrun with duplicate woods, etc., just think
how welcome such things would be here, and how they
may stimulate our collectors and travelers, who per-
chance may occasionally send me something that
would fill some gap in the Kew museum.

Mr. Wright is having a good training here, and
when he goes again to Cuba, or elsewhere, will do
much better, both as to common botanical specimens
and for collecting vegetable products and curiosities.

Dr. A. A. Gould, who will bring a line to you, is a
physician in Boston, and one of our best zoologists,
especially in conchology, etc. ; a most excellent man.
He takes a well-deserved holiday for three months
or so, mostly in a run over the Continent. He has
London friends in plenty. He may like to see Kew
Gardens before one o'clock, and would be pleased to
pay his respects to you in person, if his time allows
a flying visit to Kew before he proceeds to the Con-
tinent.

Just at this moment, and since my parcel of books
for you left the house, the May number of " Silliman's
Journal " has come in. I will ask Dr. Gould to take
it to you. . . .

442 CORRESPONDENCE. [1858,

June 21.

About the museum. Ours is to be not economical
(except in the sense that it must not cost anything to
speak of) but for class illustration and botanical re-
search. So I want woods, fruits, seeds, etc., and must
keep all within narrow limits. • All I could venture to
ask from you is that whenever your keeper or Dr.
Hooker should be throwing out duplicates to save
room, you would have some such things boxed up for
me. I should indeed like to go over to you, and select
for myself, as you and Dr, Hooker suggest. Joseph
suggests that I should be sent over by the university
for the purpose ! His whole idea is as magnificent as
my plan is humble. I fear I must always travel and
cross the ocean at my own charges. But the propo-
sition suggests to me that, when I am ready to revisit
England, this will be a good ground for asking leave
of absence without cutting off my pay. But there is
much to be done before I can leave home again, and
when I shall be ready and able to do so, if it please
Providence that I may be, I want two full years and
most of it at Kew. How I hope it may be done in
your day, and that I may receive your cordial greeting,
and find you as hale and as actively useful as ever.
But "Thornine propose," etc. We are delighted to
hear from Mrs. E. that you are well and strong
again.

Boott kindly writes me of Brown by every mail ; by
the next arrival we must expect to hear that he is no
more. . . .

Wherever Wright goes, you may rely upon the full-
est set of his gatherings, and we may expect they
will be better than formerly. For (what I never
thought he would have patience for) he has really

,ET. 47.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 443

taken to studying botany, which he never did before,
and digs away at his dried specimens most persever-
ingly. At first it went against the grain, and he used
to wish himself far off in the woods. But he has kept
on for six or eight months, and now generally prefers
to find out a plant by his own skill, rather than have
me tell him what it is ; so he will be able to collect
more understandingly, and the year passed here will
not be lost time.

Dr. Robert Brown died shortly after the date of this
letter. In Dr. Gray's memoir of him, he says : —

" Upon the death of Robert Brown, it was remarked
that, next to Humboldt, his name adorned the list of a
greater number of scientific societies than that of any
other naturalist or philosopher. It was Humboldt
himself who, many years ago, saluted Brown with the
appellation, ' Botanicorum facile princeps,' and the
universal consent of botanists recognized and con-
firmed the title. . . . Brown delighted to rise from a
special case to high and wide generalizations ; and
was apt to draw most important and always irresistible
conclusions from small selected data or particular
points of structure. He had unequaled skill in find-
ing decisive instances. ... So all his discoveries and
all his notes and observations are fertile far beyond
the reader's expectation. Perhaps no naturalist ever
taught so much in writing so little. . . . Those who
knew him as a man will bear unanimous testimony
to the unvarying simplicity, truthfulness, and benevo-
lence of his character, as well as to the singular up-
rightness of his judgment." l

1 Scientific Papers of Asa Gray, vol. ii.

444 CORRESPONDENCE. [1858,

TO R. W. CHURCH.

June 1, 1858.

Your gift of the " Oxford Essays " came to me, and
was partly read with much interest before the arrival
of your kind letter of the 31st March. Many thanks
for both.

I know too little of French literature, early or late,
but I admire your article for its neat and delicate de-
lineation and discrimination of character. I read with
interest, not unmingled with concern, Baden Powell's
and Wilson's articles. The latter person I heard
preach one of the Bampton lectures at Oxford, 1851.
Into what will the latitudinarian school, if I may so
call it, develop at Oxford ?

Gladstone's article I have not had time to read yet,
nor his large work, which probably will reach us pres-
ently, through our book club, — I hope at a time when
I have more leisure than now.

Last week the publishers, at my request, sent to
Triibner & Company, American booksellers (12 or 20)
Paternoster Row, a copy of a new and more elementary
book l of mine than the one you are pleased to com-
pliment. I intended that as a kind of horn-book,
which Dr. Hooker insists it is not ; and as something
more simple was wanted here, to lead the way both to
the " Lessons" and especially to the " Manual," which
is rather strong for beginners, I have tried again, and
you will see the result. I should have made the little
" Popular Flora " fuller if the publishers had allowed
more room.

Having last year reedited my "Botanical Text-
book " (of which, to complete your set, a copy is also
sent to you, through Triibner), I have now done my

1 How Plants Grow.

KT. 47. J TO JOHN TORRE F. 445

part in elementary botanical writing, and I return
with zest to my drier investigations, in which I have
much to do.

If I ever find time I am greatly disposed to write
some day upon the principles of classification, — the
ground in nature for classification, the nature and
distribution and probable origin of species, — knotty
points, upon which I incline to differ decidedly from
Agassiz, and considerably from the common notions.

Some of the more immediate and best-established
deductions I hope to bring out in a paper I shall soon
be occupied with, containing the results of a compari-
son of the flora of Japan (in which I have new materi-
als) with our own of the United States of America.

My college work keeps me very busy at this sea-
son.

... I see no near prospect of revisiting the Old
World. The commercial troubles last autumn have
reduced our moderate means and prospects a little.
But if I live I must yet have two years' work in Eng-
land and on the Continent. With great regard, I re-
main, Yours very faithfully,

ASA GRAY.

TO JOHN TORREY.

July 27, 1858.

I have to-day received a nice present from Vilmorin
of Paris, i. e., the copy of Robert Brown's " Prodro-
mus," presented by him to A. L. de Jussieu.

... I am kept here, too, by the attending suddenly
to building a new conservatory, for which a donation
of $2,000 has been received. I cannot leave till it is
well under way.

I am deep in Japan botany ; interesting results.

446 CORRESPONDENCE. [1858,

September 24.

At length we are home again, arriving night before
last, very direct from Quebec, where we had (as every-
where else upon our whole route — Litchfield, New
York, Palisades, Fairfield, Sauquoit, Montreal, etc.) a
delightful time. J. much stronger, except for a cold
caught in Quebec, which still lingers.

Colonel Munro 1 was very kind ; is a jolly good fel-
low, as the English say.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

October 14, 1858.

By this time you are in your house, I hope, and all
comfortable, and ready soon to set to work.

I rejoice to hear that Mr. Shaw keeps up his zeal,
and will make a creditable establishment. I wish
him all prosperity. If he will make and keep up a
general herbarium it will save you much time and
money. . . .

October 30.

I have yours of the 24th. Tatnall 2 is an old friend
of Dr. Darlington, new to me, but writing to me of
late. I know not his age, profession, character, etc.,
etc. But he appears to know the plants around him
very well. . . .

Hope you are getting settled down and comfort-
able.

I met Agassiz at the Club. He is cordial and
pleasant. He had not heard of your return, which I
wondered at. ...

1 William Munro, 1816-1880 ; general in British army. " The most
accomplished agrostologist of our day" [A. G.].

2 Edward Tatnall, b. 1822, Wilmington, Del. ; author of a catalogue
of plants of Newcastle County, Delaware.

^T. 48.] TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 447

Fendler is with you, at least in St. Louis. Short is
ready to advance something if he will fall to collect-
ing again wherever you say. Get him some appoint-
ment with the army at Utah. That is the place.
What is the good of your both being Democrats if
you cannot get something for it ! !

December 3.

Darwin asks me to find out if you medical men
have ascertained or noticed any difference in liability
to take fevers of warm climates, say yellow fever, be-
tween light-corn plexioned and dark-complexioned peo-
ple of the Caucasian race. If you know personally
anything about it, or where anything is published
bearing on the point, kindly let me know, and oblige
Your old friend, ASA GRAY.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

December 13, 1858.

Boott writes in glowing terms of your paper on
British flora and distribution lately read ; and I
hope soon to read it in the " Linnaean Journal."

That the interchange of temperate species between
North America and Europe has taken place via Asia
is now a patent fact ; and now the whole subject, and
the probable explanation, begins to be clear to see.

December 31.

A happy New Year to you and Mrs. Bentham, and
many thanks for your letter promising me your paper
on Hongkong plants to print here. Pray give me
passim any notes that occur to you upon Loo Choo
plants, etc. I shall now soon be done with my
Japan studies, and shall print a paper bringing to

448 CORRESPONDENCE. [1858,

view curious facts of distribution, etc., and lay out a
set for the Kew herbarium. How true it is, as you
intimated, that the interchange in northern hemi-
sphere has mainly been via Asia.

I heartily admire your " Handbook," and await with
great interest your paper growing out of it ; your
experience is so great and your judgment so sound.
As to English nomenclature, we can only approxi-
mate to a good system ; the practical difficulties are
too great, often insurmountable. It seems to me you
hit the happy medium, if we must needs have popular
name of the genus coextensive with the Latin one ;
but I rather doubt the advisability of that, and would
use sub-generic popular names for generic, I think.
Though " I do not much like " the whole thing, yet
somebody must attend to English nomenclature, for
better or worse ; so I am glad you took it up.

I hope you will study perigynous and epigynous.
As to ovary, which, putting the important part for
the whole, we have learned to use in place of pistil, it
certainly is perfectly novel to me to hear the name
applied to the gynaecium of Ranunculus. I am confi-
dent the word is never so used in De Candolle or
Endlicher. I do not recall any instance of your using
the word in any such sense ; I am sure I never did.
Where the fact of the combination is doubtful or am-
biguous, if I said ovary, that would infer the combi-
nation ; if ovaries, the distinctness. In Apocynacea3
A. De Candolle steadily writes ovarium or ovaria,
according to the nature of the case. Per contra, you
might as well call the column of Malva a stamen ! For
the collective term, I wish, in your paper, you would go
for restoring to use the Linnsean term pistillum, and
against the habit of using ovarium in a double sense,

JST. 48.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 449

that is, sometimes for whole female organ, sometimes
for its ovule-bearing portion. Pray do not add a
third ; and so when you speak of ovary in Clematis
leave us to gather, from the context, whether you
mean, (1) the whole gyna3cium ; (2) a separate pis-
til ; or, (3) the ovuliferous portion of a pistil.

Hooker calls my judgment about root and radicle
" a flippant snub " ! I beg a thousand pardons, and
had no intention to be flippant or dogmatical, but
simply to record a fact. For mistake, pray read take.
My thanks for his letter of December 8th ; will write

him soon.

February 2, 1859.

I wish I had now your paper on geographical dis-
tribution, while I am working up the relations of the
Japan flora in this respect. Where is Agardh's paper
published, and what does it amount to ? ...

I cannot answer Dr. Hooker's exceedingly interest-
ing letter about theoretical ancient distribution of
plants this week. Tell him I shall have some evi-
dence which will come well into his views as to north
temperate zone.

TO W. J. HOOKER.

January 24, 1859.

I hope soon to hear that Government will acquire
your herbarium, and make bountiful provision for its
increase and maintenance. After all Brown's genius,
you have done more for botany than a dozen Browns,
and made a hundredfold more sacrifices and efforts.
To you, and to your son, England and the botanical
world owe the greatest debt of gratitude, — a debt
which I hope will continue to accumulate a long time
yet. . . .

450 CORRESPONDENCE. [1859,

TO JOHN TORREY.

January 7, 1859.

MY DEAR FRIEND, — I will send your bundles pre-
sently, after Tuesday next, till when I must work like
a dog, to get through the Japan collection, and read a
paper on Tuesday at a social meeting of the Academy
at Mr. Loring's house that evening (January llth).
Now come on (if by day train), stop there, 8 Ashbur-
ton Place, where I will be.

I am going to hold forth for nearly an hour, upon
Japan botany in its relation to ours and the rest
of the northern temperate zone, and knock out the
underpinning of Agassiz's theories about species and
their origin ; show, from the very facts that stumbled
De Candolle, the high probability of single and local
creation of species, turning some of Agassiz's own
guns against him.

I introduced it here at Club, last month, and Agas-
siz took it very well, indeed. . . .

I asked Thurber the name of a couple of Grasses.
Let the Grass-man speak ; now that he is turned out
to grass, let him attend to his grazing.

February 19.

Andersson writes me that I am chosen one of the six
botanists on the foreign list of Stockholm Academy,
to fill the vacancy caused by Robert Brown's death.

Friday evening, [April].

I have your two favors of 12th and 15th. I am
very grateful for the nice care you take of my wife.
You seem to have her under very thorough control.

Cure her up fast as you can, and please return her
per railway on the 3d of May ; for the 4th being the

^T. 48.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 451

eleventh anniversary of our union, we must not
be separated then — " The Union, it must be pre-
served." . . .

I send back your Cavendish with many thanks.

The old cock was much like Robert Brown in many
respects. Though there is nothing in him to love, he
calls out a sort of admiration, partly in the literal
sense, that is, wonder, mixed with pity, that he had
no feelings. Brown had, and besides he was social
and not so very queer, but he lived very much in the
same way, and I suppose had as little sense of re-
ligion.

Schreber spells Anthephora, but gives no deriva-
tion. P. de B., you see, does, so Anthephora is doubt-
less right.

Can that and Buffalo-grass be the same ? I doubt.
Has the Anthephora-like plant no stamens of its own?

The mode of growth does not so much distinguish
your plant from Newberry's Hemitones, and verily I
suspect they are the same species. Pity you come in
and spoil a good name ! . . .

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

AprU 27, 1859.

I am charmed at the intelligence you give of your
son, and that he takes to botany with spirit, so that
he may continue the celebrity of the honored name of
De Candolle in the third generation.

We shall welcome him when he comes to America
and will do all we can to advance his objects. Ore-
gon and the country to the north of it (British Co-
lumbia) will be in good and safe condition to explore,
and I am convinced that there is still much to find
in the Sandwich Islands, especially in the interior of

452 CORRESPONDENCE. [1859,

Hawaii, where there is said to be a broad, almost un-
trodden, wooded region, between the principal moun-
tain-masses, and occupying a good part of the interior
of the island. But it will take time, patience, and
considerable means to explore this region; provisions
must be carried in for a long way, and many natives
employed in feeding the exploring party. Next, the
Kurile Islands, and all the northern part of Japan,
Yesso, and the islands northeast of it offer the greatest
interest ; Manchuria also, but the Russians will look
after that ; Korea could perhaps be explored, so that
the expedition you have suggested strikes my fancy
as the best that could be, and would take your son
through regions full of interest, safe to explore, and
healthy. Certainly I can suggest nothing better.

Pray give my best regards to M. Boissier and to
other friends in Geneva. I trust you will have safety
and tranquillity in Switzerland. But it appears as if
you would have war all around you, — a very sad state
of things. Our latest intelligence looks very warlike,
I am sorry to see. With all my heart I join in the
supplication, " Give peace in our time, O Lord."
From such a war as is threatened no good can spring,
in any result. . . .

Ever and very cordially yours, ASA GRAY.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

May 18, 1859.

Well, even $10,000 a year is much better than
nothing for the botanical establishment. I wish we
had half of that. . . .

If Shaw will be liberal in his establishment, why
not turn over to him your general herbarium ? If I
had one I could have free access to always, I would

^T.48.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 453

not take the expense and trouble of keeping up and
increasing one myself. . . .

So, you have made the capital discovery, and proved
the so-called Anthephora to be the female of Buffalo-
grass. I would not have believed it without direct
evidence.

I cannot study it ; it would take me a long while to
get the case so before me that my opinion about the
affinities of the grass would be of any use ; but it is
most interesting, and I beg you to work it out in
detail and thoroughly. . . .

June 6.

As to your own herbarium, I think you are right
for the present. Keep your own ; arrange it on paper
of the size of Shaw's. But look to an eventual combi-
nation, either in Shaw's lifetime or soon after, and be
open to propositions from Shaw ; as, for example, to
take your whole herbarium, provide for maintenance
and increase, and when ready, to make you director of
the whole concern. This duty must devolve upon you,
and when it does, with a decent salary, you could re-
side up there, throw physic to the dogs, or only take a
share in consultations, and have time to do yourself
justice in botany.

Meanwhile, if Shaw would take your herbarium
upon proper terms, you might at any time have any
particular families of plants with you, in your house,
to work at. . . .

Mr. Shaw has lately written. I inclose his letter to
you. I have just replied to it, expressing a lively in-
terest in his projected establishment, and offering my
best services if he requires them in the way of advice
or suggestion. I hope it will be all right in the
end.

CHAPTER VI.

LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS.

1860-1868.

As before stated, Dr. Gray's letters to Dr. Darwin
previous to 1862 have been destroyed, save the one
dated January 23, 1860, which was published in Dar-
win's " Life and Letters," and is here reproduced for
the convenience of the reader, as well as Dr. Gray's
letter of January 5, 1860, to Dr. Joseph D. Hooker,
also published in Darwin's " Life and Letters." The
original letters to Darwin later than 1862 have been
more or less injured, apparently by the ravages of
mice, so that in copying them it has sometimes been
necessary to supply missing words. Where these are
not obvious, the supposed words are enclosed in
brackets.

The letters in this chapter also include the period
of the civil war ; into which, as they show, Dr. Gray
threw himself with all his earnestness. He helped as
far as he was able in every way. A company of the
men who were too old or otherwise incapacitated from
going to the front was enlisted in Cambridge to guard
the State Arsenal there, and also to be ready to be
summoned in any emergency ; and he joined the ranks
and was faithful in the drilling and every duty to
which they were called. It is hard to realize, in these
days, how all the community worked together in all
possible ways ; it was the business of life.

MT. 49.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 455

TO J. D. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, January 5, 1860.

MY DEAR HOOKER, — Your last letter, which
reached me just before Christinas, has got mislaid
during the upturnings in my study which take place
at that season, and has not yet been discovered. I
should be very sorry to lose it, for there were in it
some botanical mems. which I had not secured. . . .

The principal part of your letter was high lauda-
tion of Darwin's book.

Well, the book has reached me, and I finished its
careful perusal four days ago ; and I freely say that
your laudation is not out of place.

It is done in a masterly manner. It might well
have taken twenty years to produce it. It is crammed
full of most interesting matter, thoroughly digested,
well expressed, close, cogent ; and taken as a system
it makes out a better case than I had supposed possi-
ble. . . .

I will write to Darwin when I get a chance. As
I have promised, he and you shall have fair play
here. ... I must myself write a re view, of Darwin's
book for " Silliman's Journal " (the more so that I
suspect Agassiz means to come out upon it) for the
next (March) number, and I am now setting about
it when I ought to be every moment working the
Exploring Expedition Composite, which I know far
more about. And really it is no easy job, as you may
well imagine.

I doubt if I shall please you altogether. I know
I shall not please Agassiz at all. I hear another
reprint is in the press, and the book will excite much
attention here, and some controversy. . . . '

456 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1860,

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

CAMBRIDGE, January 23, 1860.

MY DEAR DARWIN, — You have my hurried letter
telling you of the arrival of the remainder of the
sheets of the reprint, and of the stir I had made for a
reprint in Boston. Well, all looked pretty well, when
lo, we found that a second New York publishing
house had announced a reprint also ! I wrote then to
both New York publishers, asking them to give way
to the author and his reprint of a revised edition. I
got an answer from Harpers that they withdraw ;
from the Appletons, that they had got the book out
(and the next day I saw a copy) ; but that, " if the
work should have any considerable sale, we certainly
shall be disposed to pay the author reasonably and
liberally."

The Appletons being thus out with their reprint,
the Boston house declined to go on. So I wrote to
the Appletons, taking them at their word, offering to
aid their reprint, to give them the use of the altera-
tions in the London reprint, as soon as I find out
what they are, etc., etc. And I sent them the first
leaf, and asked them to insert in their future issue the
additional matter from Butler,1 which tells just right.
So there the matter stands. If you furnish any mat-
ter in advance of the London third edition, I will
make them pay for it.

I may get something for you. All got is clear gain ;
but it will not be very much, I suppose.

Such little notices in the papers as have yet ap-
peared are quite handsome and considerable.

1 A quotation from Butler's Analogy, on the use of the word " nat-
ural," which in the second edition is placed with the passages from
Whewell and Bacon, on p. ii., opposite the title-page.

^T. 49.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 457

I hope next week to get printed sheets of my review
from New Haven, and send them to you, and will ask
you to pass them on to Dr. Hooker.

To fulfill your request, I ought to tell you what I
think the weakest, and what the best, part of your
book. But this is not easy, nor to be done in a word
or two. The best part, I think, is the whole, that is,
its plan and treatment, the vast amount of facts and
acute inferences handled as if you had a perfect mas-
tery of them. I do not think twenty years too much
time to produce such a book in.

Style clear and good, but now and then wants revi-
sion for little matters (p. 97, self -fertilizes itself, etc.).

Then your candor is worth everything to your cause.
It is refreshing to find a person with a new theory
who frankly confesses that he finds difficulties, insur-
mountable at least for the present. I know some
people who never have any difficulties to speak of.

The moment I understood your premises, I felt sure
you had a real foundation to hold on. Well, if one
admits your premises, I do not see how he is to stop
short of your conclusions, as a probable hypothesis at
least.

It naturally happens that my review of your book
does not exhibit anything like the full force of the
impression the book has made upon me. Under the
circumstances I suppose I do your theory more good
here, by bespeaking for it a fair and favorable con-
sideration, and by standing noncommitted as to its
full conclusion, than I should if I announced myself a
convert ; nor could I say the latter, with truth.

Well, what seems to me the weakest point in the
book is the attempt to account for the formation of
organs, the making of eyes, etc., by natural selection.
Some of this reads quite Lamarckian.

458 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1860,

The chapter on Hybridism is not a weak, but a
strong chapter. You have done wonders there. But
still you have not accounted, as you may be held to
account, for divergence up to a certain extent pro-
ducing increased fertility of the crosses, but carried
one short, almost imperceptible, step more, giving rise
to sterility, or reversing the tendency. Very likely
you are on the right track 5 but you have something
to do yet in that department.

Enough for the present.

I am not insensible to your compliments, the very
high compliment which you pay me in valuing my
opinion. You evidently think more of it than I do,
though from the way I write to you, and especially to
Hooker, this might not be inferred from the reading
of my letters.

I am free to say that I never learnt so much from
one book as I have from yours. There remain a thou-
sand things I long to say about it.

Ever yours, ASA GRAY.

TO CHARLES L. BRACE.

1861 (?)

DEAR BRACE, — I should criticise various things in
your last "Times" article, if you were here to talk it
over with me.

If you expected Huxley to do what you criticise him
for not doing, you would naturally be disappointed.
His merit, and his way as a lecturer, is to select some
good topic or point of view and make a clear exposi-
tion of it, the clearness of which very much depends
upon his not scattering himself over too much ground.
He naturally kept himself to matters he could handle
well, and let alone those upon which, as we very well
know, he had nothing in particular to say.

,ET. 50.] TO CHARLES L. BRACE. 459

1. " Merest fancies," " baseless fabric of a dream,"
etc.

Why, what made Owen an evolutionist as early as
Darwin? And what has made so many naturalists,
Mivart, and lately Dana, for instance, evolutionists,
who yet think nothing of Natural Selection ?

But to illustrate. You allow that the evolution-
ary pedigree of the horse is made out. But what
had " Natural Selection " to do with the making this
out?

It would have been all the very same, both the evi-
dence and the ground of the inference, if Natural
Selection had never been propounded. There is no
evidence how the forms were selected, there is simply
the fact of the series of forms, which, with other like
evidence, brings conviction to most naturalists that
one has somehow come from the other. And this con-
viction is about as strong to those who do not believe
" Natural Selection " will explain it, as those who
do.

2. Professor Guyot, you mean. Dana avowedly
adopts from Guyot.

3. To those who talk or think of necessary evolu-
tion, or, like Spencer, deduce it ex necessitate rei,
this matter of immense time is very pertinent. I
don't think Darwin is bothered by it much. On my
way of thinking, it is no bother at all, considering
what a deal of time there has been anyway.

4. Do you mean " hybrid forms " ? I fail to see
what hybrids, that is, mules from the crossing of re-
lated species, has to do with it, one way or the other.
Nobody (of clear conceptions) supposes new species
come from the mixture of other species. That is a
way to confuse orvblend species, not to originate them.

460 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

But there is no " want of hybrids ; " there are plenty of
them, and they have mixed some few species (dogs,
for instance) ; but they play no important part in the
matters you are considering.

" Want of connecting forms in living species," that
is to the purpose. Well, as a systematic botanist, I
wish there was a want. The connecting forms are
my great trouble every day. You would save me an
awful deal of trouble, time, and constant uncertainty,
if you would cause them to be wanting !

5. So you will not accept the motto " ex uno disce
omnes."

If you admit the horse's evolution as proved, does
not that carry an implication of evolution in other
lines, of which similar, but fewer steps are known?
Or are all evolutions those of cavalry ?

CAMBRIDGE, June 17, 1862.

DEAR BRACE, — Thanks for the " World." Who
wield its destinies ?

It is, I suppose, your article on Darwin, a very good
one, for its purpose and space.

Before you too confidently reject the evidence for
the existence of man in the diluvial period, just
turn over a very impartial and good article by Pic-
tet, — a good judge of such matters, — in the March
number of the " Bibliotheque Universelle de Ge-
neve," " De la Question sur 1'Homme Fossile."

I presume it is in the Astor Library. If it is not,
you may tell Mr. Cogswell there might as well not be
any Astor Library. Ever thine,

A. GRAY.

JET. 51.] TO CHARLES L. BRACE. 461

CAMBRIDGE, April 22, 1862 (?)

DEAR BRACE, — You are very welcome to such
casual criticism as I can offer on your two pages of
manuscript.

The general fact of a segregated people (or indi-
viduals of an animal species) becoming best adapted
to the particular climate, etc., through Natural Selec-
tion is clear enough, the best adapted alone surviving
in the long run, and the peculiarities transmitted by
the close breeding.

But what your statements tend to make out is, not
the tendency of a human race to return to its original
type, but only the tendency of the causes which pro-
duced a certain effect once, to produce it again, the
circumstances continuing, — to produce it in the Fel-
lahs as it produced it in the remote ancestors of the
Pharaohs.

That is all safe enough. But your case does not
prove that unless you make out that the Egyptian
race was nearly destroyed by crossings.

I do not know, but I doubt if you can show that,
that the crossings were ever enough to modify the
Egyptian people, at least the common people, who
make up the bulk. Slight infusions, you see, would
be worked out. The foreign though conquering race
would be less prolific and less enduring than the
native, etc., etc. So is it not likely that in the Fel-
lahs you have the representatives of the old Egyptians
continued, not reproduced, as your remarks would
partly lead one to suppose your meaning ?

Besides, once having got a race you must not make
too much of climate, to the overlooking of the wonder-
ful persistence of any variety when close bred. See
the Jews : the nose remains hooked, etc., under all
climates.

462 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

Again, in your last sentence. When you unscien-
tific people take up a scientific principle you are apt to
make too much of it, to push it to conclusions beyond
what is warranted by the facts. But, because a par-
ticular race has persisted in Egypt, how do you know
that it is the only race capable of perpetuating itself ?

If there had been a large infusion of different peo-
ple in Egypt, and if they had exterminated the old
race, do you not suppose this would have established
itself, perpetuated itself, and that its particular adap-
tations to the climate would have been different from
that of the present race?

If you cut off all future immigration into North
America, would the Indians resume possession of the
country ? or else our descendants become a copper-
colored race ?

Enough for the present. When you have cracked
these nuts, send me, if you please, another sheet.

Ever yours cordially, ASA GRAY.

CAMBRIDGE, July 6, 1863.

DEAR BRACE, — Yours of 20th ult. came just as J.
was off for New Haven and I getting ready to go to
her aid.

We came back only on Thursday, or rather Friday
morning. My hands so full that I could not write to
Darwin, to whom I owe a long letter, till to-night. I
will now inclose your note.

It would be very like a chemist to think that exter-
nal influences will explain everything. But I pre-
sume he believes that peculiarities are heritable. If
he does, then he thinks he can explain, or will be able
to explain, the origination of variations. I cannot,
that is, to any extent, and do not expect to. When

^T.50.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 463

he will show us how external influences actually
worked to change a peach into a nectarine, I will
consider his proposition.

If he means by " external influences " whatever has
brought about the change, very well. I, of course,
allow that every variation has a cause, a physical
cause. But it seems to me you may as well say that
conception and the production of a normal offspring is
the result of " external influences " as the production
of an abnormal (variant) offspring.

But there is no use writing at random.

You ask me whether I adhere to my notions before
expressed, without at all showing me how they have
been impugned.

I should rather expect Guyot to indorse Beaumont ;
a theological bias would act strongly.

But I rely most on Lartet, Coulon, and Pictet, for
the age of deposit. Yet it may still be an open ques-
tion. . . .

Darwin, on account of his health, has to live away
from London, and is a recluse. I give no letters to
him, least of all to a lively inquisitive Yankee like
Beecher, who would give him a fit of dyspepsia at
once, from mere excitement.

I have the Imperial Academy of Sciences of St.
Petersburg honorary membership ; quite a feather,
as they are choice and few. Diploma just come.

Ever yours, A. GRAY.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

May 7, 1861.

It was very good of you to write to me (by your
letter of 28th of March) when I believe that a former
letter of yours was still unacknowledged by me. Your
letters always give me much pleasure.

464 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1861,

What you say of " Essays and Reviews " seems to
me most sensible and well considered ; the best thing
I have read about the book, viz., that, " with many
good and true things in it, it is a reckless book," and
that some of the writers had not taken the trouble to
clear up their own thoughts and to form orderly and
consistent notions before publishing upon such deli-
cate topics.

I have not yet read the book ; have only looked
it over, and read some of the criticisms. When I
have a few days' leisure in the country, in July, I
mean to read it carefully. After the flurry is over,
I hope the book will receive the proper kind of han-
dling in England, by the proper men. I wish you
would think it in your way to write an essay upon
some of the points at issue, upon which inconsiderate
views are likely to be taken upon either side.

I confess to a strong dislike of Baden Powell's
writings. He seems to have had a coarse, material-
istic, non-religious mind ; at least, he is not the sort
of man I should select to illustrate the delicate rela-
tions between religion and science.

I am gratified, also, by your apprehending the spirit
and object of my essay 1 on Darwin so much better
than many who write to me about it. All it pretends
to is to warn the reckless and inconsiderate to state
the case as it is ; to protest against the folly of those
who would, it would seem, go on to fire away the very
ramparts of the citadel, in the defense of needless
outposts ; and, as you justly remark, to clear the way
for a fair discussion of the new theory on its merits
and evidence. We must use the theory a while in
botany and in zoology, and see how it will work ; in

1 Reviews of Darwin's Origin of Species — Darwiniana.

JET. 50.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 465

this way a few years will test it thoroughly. I incline
to think that its principles will be to a certain extent
admitted in science, but that, as Darwin conceives it,
it will prove quite insufficient.

As to our country, we have been, as a people, un-
dergoing a steady demoralization for the last fifteen or
twenty years, the natural end of which lately seemed
to be that we should crumble into decay almost with-
out an effort at recovery. If it had been sought under
legal forms and in a less outrageous spirit, I think the
North would have consented to the peaceful separation
of the cotton States, and we should have prospered
by the separation. But it has become clear that there
would be no living with such a people as our neigh-
bors would be, so long as they allow themselves
(against the better judgment of the best) to be ruled
by the political demagogues who now hold sway over
them. It is clear we must fight, and we had better
do it now, and fight for the integrity of the country
and the enforcement of the laws. So we are fairly
and justly in it, and we are going to conquer the South.
They have appealed to force. They must abide the
consequences of the appeal, and, we trust, God will
help the right. So you may expect to hear of stirring
times here. Ever, with great regard,

Yours most cordially, ASA GRAY.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

January 25, 1861.

The Union is overthrown by a conspiracy which
would have been kept within bounds, and soon shut
itself up, if the border slave States cared enough for
the Union to take hold, or even allow it to be arrested
or checked. But no, they must become insane, like

466 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1861,

the rest, and help it along. Virginia will not take
hold and second Kentucky and Tennessee, fighting
nobly by Johnson, Crittenden, etc., declare against
treason first, and then arrange terms, which are all
ready, all they want, for composing the difficulties.

But Cottondom will not have peace and union, and
Virginia, etc., are foolish enough to help their game.
That the border Southern States will be the principal
sufferers will be only a righteous retribution for their
guilt.

If, in fact, we only belong to a partnership which
any of the partners can dissolve at will, then the
Union is not worth having. We must do the best we
can without it, and if Missouri would prosper, she
should stay with us.

If peace is wanted, the reasonable proposition, " no
more territory to be acquired without a majority of
two thirds of the States," would give it. With that
you may do what you like, or rather what you can, in
the present Territories. No more of the continent is
worth having, either for North or South.

Posterity will judge rightly, and Toombs, Cobb,
Floyd, etc., will go down to their graves as base, dis-
honored traitors.

My fighting days are over, anyway. I have had
the misfortune to lose the end of my left thumb, by
an accident, just at the base of the nail.

May 25, 1861.

I am very glad to hear from you. I believe I have
a former letter from you unanswered. Lately I mailed
to you some botanical pamphlets, one containing the
Xantus California plants.1 But in these times I had

1 L. J. Xantus de Vesey. Collected at Fort Tejon in 1857-1859 for
the Smithsonian Institution.

^T. 50.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 467

not the heart to write you. You have seen your dream
of peace policy fall in pieces, and Douglas coming out
for the war. You have also seen enough to perceive
that under the let-alone policy Missouri also would
have seceded, under the same discipline which has
been applied elsewhere. In which event, let alone,
St. Louis would dwindle to a country village.

No, the first and paramount duty of a country is to
protect and preserve itself against destruction. The
Constitution and government must be maintained, and
treason put down if we are able to do it.

If it can't be done, then, and then only, may we
submit to disintegration.

Stick firm to the Union, and Missouri will come
out well. I am sorry for the bloodshed at St. Louis.
Your population is hard to manage. But Harney, as
you say, is doing well, and I expect to see your State
soon a loyal one. Even those with secession affinities
must soon see their own interests. It is impossible
there should be peace, — peace is not worth having
till the rebellion, based on a plot formed years ago,
is put down.

If you think me belligerent, I am nothing to Agas-
siz. Of course we shall all suffer severely. But
better to suffer in devotion to the Union than prosper
in petty fragments.

Enough of this. May God preserve and keep you,
and let us hear from you when you can ; for we take
great interest in you, and know your position is a try-
ing one.

CAMBRIDGE, August 6, 1861.

MY DEAR ENGELMANN, — As soon as I got clear of
college work, my wife and I started off (on the 12th

468 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1861,

of July) to visit my mother and friends in Oneida
County, New York, where we rode and drove about
in the fine air, over a most beautiful country, and
enjoyed ourselves to the full, to her great advantage ;
also mine. Then we cut across the State to Pennsyl-
vania, visited the coal region of north Pennsylvania ;
traveled very leisurely ; passed through New York,
seeing the Torreys three hours, and so to Litchfield,
Connecticut, where Mrs. G. is left, and I am at home,
to set to work again, having done nothing in botany
except to teach since last April.

Now I am going to set to work as soon as corre-
spondence is cleared off.

I found here also a letter from Dr. Parry,1 and have
named the specimens in both, sending the answer to
you for forwarding, also Dr. Parry's letter to me.

He can't miss it if he keeps at work between Den-
ver and Salt Lake, climbing to truly alpine regions as
often as he can.

Dr. Hooker sent me last spring a fine cast of a bust
of Robert Brown. To-day I have also from him a
splendid one of his father, Sir William. Tell Fendler
that Mr. Shaw should procure both if possible for the
Library of Hort. Bot., Missouri.

What next ? A young gardener has found a local-
ity of Calluna vulgaris, covering almost an acre, within
twenty-five miles of Boston ; a case to add to Scolo-
pendrium, Marsilea, etc., but most of all, striking and
unexpected. It grows in low ground, and has every
appearance of being indigenous.

1 Charles C. Parry, M. D., 1823-1890. Born in England, came to
America in 1832. Explored and collected on the Mexican boundary,
in the Rocky Mountains and in California. Died in Davenport, Iowa,
— where is his herbarium.

MT. 51.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 469

August 27.

I hope and trust that Fremont will be strong
enough to keep the war out of your neighborhood.
The citizens of Missouri ought to volunteer in such
numbers as to keep the rebels out of the State and
keep the State true and firm in the Union. It is the
cheapest and most honorable way, and will save pro-
perty, avoid distress, etc.

This rebellion is certainly going to be put down, no
matter at what cost, and property at St. Louis will be
worth- more than ever yet before you and I reach three
score and ten.

November 11.

I think very little of Unionists who have been
" made Secessionists " by anything. What matter
whether you have one fifth, one tenth, or four fifths
Unionists, if they will not fight to put down Seces-
sionists, — they might as well be Secessionists out
and out. Maryland and Missouri will not and must
not be allowed to secede or to do seceders' work, cost
what it will. And it is a great blessing to them that
we restrain them. The Union must be preserved ;
suffering is a very small matter in comparison — all
must take their part, and the rebels must suffer hard
till they give up. We are only beginning to fight.
If Missouri wanted security she should have put
down her secessionists herself with the strong hand,
at the beginning. So of Kentucky. But she has
been forced to find out and feel her duty and her
honor, and to act.

God save the Union, and confusion to all trai-
tors.

470 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1861,

TO DANIEL CADY EATON.

CAMBRIDGE, October 4, 1861.

Your three parcels and letter of October first have
duly come. I believe I never answered your note of
August 28.

I can't abide writing letters nowadays. But I
think often of you. You are happy in being able to do
something direct. I wish I could. Find me a useful
place in the army, and I will go at once.

My wife and I have scraped up $550, all we can
scrape, and lent it to the United States. .1 am
amazed that people do not come forward with their
money — those that can't go to fight. I wish I could
do both. . . .

I have to-day a letter from Wright, September 4.
He is of late botanizing with more spirit than for-
merly.

A sailing-vessel is up here for Santiago. I shall
write by it, the United States mail by steamer being
so interrupted, and perhaps send some publica-
tions, newspapers, etc. But I shall leave for you to
send the " Flora of the British West Indies," as you
suggest. I could not spare my copy. . . .

I hope this taking up of large transport vessels
means something, and something prompt and thor-
ough. *

Thus far one is sick and sad, so little is done.

I had some hopes that your good father would be
put at the head of the Commissary Department. I
trust he will get promotion somewhat according to his
deserts anyhow. Oh for faithful and honest officers
and officials ! .

JST. 61.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 471

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

CAMBRIDGE, January 15, 1862.

I do not like to write to you much about the war,
and that is much reason why I have not sooner replied
to yours of December 9.

My brother-in-law and his cousin are both officers
in Burnside's expedition, which we expect will do
something.

Mrs. Gray and I send warmest New Year greet-
ings to you and Mrs. E., and hope you may feel all
right and country safe in 1863.

February 20.

Bravo for Illinois, to which victory at Fort Donel-
son is due, and bravo for Tennessee and Alabama
full of Union men ! Does not your old Union blood
rise? Pray, now drop all your let-treason-alone, do-
nothing-disorganizing notions, and go in for the coun-
try, the whole country, reinstate it first, and then we
will all go in and make it what it should be. The un-
generous conduct of England shows what a condition
we should be in as a fraction, and she playing off one
portion against the other, and bullying both.

I pray Congress to put on taxes, five per cent di-
rect on property and income, and heavy indirect be-
sides. What is property ! I would fight till every
cent is gone, and would offer my own life freely ; so
I do not value the lives or property of rebels above my
own. God bless you.

May 22.

A most lovely spring here. We all flourish and
prosper, and rejoice in the strengthening of our na-
tional power, and advancing restoration of the Union,

472 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1860,

with hopes of hanging leaders of the rebellion, ex-
iling a good many, and pardoning all the rank and
file who will come back with a good grace to their
allegiance. If they will not, let them beware ! Va3
victis to such.

The country is to be kept in the Union. If the
people choose to stay, let them, and peace be with
them. If they wish to emigrate, very well. The
North, aided by immigrating Teutons, has great col-
onizing power, and we can rapidly settle Virginia,
Tennessee, Mississippi, etc.

There, this is enough for the present to rile you.

As to Euphorbias, the published names here must
take precedence to unpublished names of Shuttle-
worth, etc.

Ever your most peaceful friend, ASA GRAY.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

CAMBRIDGE, October 10, 1860.

Thanks for very interesting letter of September 10.
I am much pressed now, or would write a long gossip-
ing letter. The bound copy of " Origin " is just re-
ceived from Murray. Many thanks. . . .

I believe I have seen a pod or two of Horseradish ;
but they are rare. Your germinations show curious
resemblance of dimorphic-crosses with hybrid-crosses,,
as shown by Naudin ; very interesting and capital
points for you.

January (?), 1862.

I imagine it is now universally felt here that if we
do not do it [i. e., carry on the fighting] we shall
have to eat much dirt ; that the establishment of a
rival power on our long southern line of the free
States, to be played off against us, is not to be sub-

<ET. 49.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 473

mitted to if it can be prevented at any sacrifice. God
help us, indeed, if our honorable existence is to have
no better safeguard than the generosity or sense of
justice of more powerful nations ! As to slavery, the
course of things is getting to meet your views, as it is
clear must be, if the South continues obstinate. If
they give up war they may save their institution in
their own States, to have the chance of abolishing it
themselves in the only safe and easy way, with time
and the gradual competition of white labor. But
obstinate resistance will surely bring on wide-sweep-
ing manumission.

You see that we are not going to have war [with
England] at present. And it appears that the deci-
sion of our government will be as unitedly and thor-
oughly sustained by the whole people as if it had
been the other way ; contrary to Mr. Russell's pre-
diction, and to our dear friend Dr. Boott's, who writes
about our " mob " in a way he would not if he were
here to see. Look at an English mob urging up their
government so that they felt obliged to back up their
demands, with a menacing force on our borders ; and
making such a peremptory demand as you justly say,
" entirely on Wilkes' acting as judge ; " a matter which
our government would as promptly concede as yours
could ask.

Seemann l wrote me that the general belief at the
clubs and in the City was that our government wanted
to get into war with England for an excuse to give up
the South. A pretty idea they must have of our wis-
dom and discretion ! Dear Boott is firmly convinced
that we have all along been trying to quarrel with

1 Berthold Seemann, 1825-1871 .; editor of the Journal of Botany,
British and Foreign, etc., etc.

474 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

England. The belief here is nearly universal the
other way, and those who like England best, and per-
haps the coolest and best-informed men, have been
more and more dissatisfied as time went on.

What has caused this lamentable state of things,
this complete misunderstanding ? Plainly this : the
secessionists in England have adroitly managed the
matter and led public opinion in various lines, but all
in one direction, inimical to us; and they did not
think it too great a stretch to make John Bull be-
lieve that we were insane enough to want an English
quarrel. In this they have been ably seconded by
a few papers here, mainly by those whose loyalty is
deeply suspected, and whose influence is as nothing;
which are nearly as scurrilous as the " Saturday Re-
view,'1 with no redeeming ability, and you have the
result.

Will the evidence that this mail carries satisfy the
English that we want to live in peace with them ?

But as to good feeling, I am afraid it is too late to
expect that.

We were hurt at first by your putting our rebels
on the same footing as a government with which yours
was in most amicable relations, — and by the general
assumption at once that we were gone past redemption,
by the failure to see that the power had gone from
the hands of those who were always making trouble
with your government in some petty way or other,
etc., till I think it is generally believed that the gov-
erning influence in England desires to have us a weak
and divided people, and would do a good deal to
secure it.

I am sorry to say that this is the general feeling ;
and this is now very much intensified.

^T. 61.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 475

The feelings of many are very hostile, and they
would like to be strong that they might show it.
Those of others, who have been exceedingly fond of
England, always defending her when possible, and
these are mine, are, that we must be strong to be se-
cure and respected, — natural selection quickly crushes
out weak nations ; that we have tried long enough
to have intimate relations between the governments,
or the peoples in general. Naturalists, etc., being
enlightened people, can be as intimate as they like ;
but nationally let each say, " God bless you, and let
us see as little of each other as possible," each going
our own way.

Well, enough of this.

Some of the representations of us in the English
papers would be amusing if they did not now do so
great harm. One would think it was generally
thought that there was no law and order here, nor
gentlemanly conduct, nor propriety of deportment
among the poorer and laboring people. I wish you
could come and see. As to such things, and as to
intelligence, education, etc., I have sometimes thought
of the picture one could draw from individual cases.
Take one — very confidentially — for I would not hurt
a really good fellow by exposing his ignorance of
what he might be expected to know. Here we lately
had a Cambridge graduate (F. L. S., and godson of
an English baronet) who in one conversation let us
know most frankly that he had no idea where Quito
was, or that there were two houses of Congress in the
United States, and was puzzled to know whether Bos-
ton, United States, time was faster or slower than
that of Greenwich !

476 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

February 18, 1862.

Accept a hasty line at the present, when I am busy
above measure.

Thanks for the Primula paper, which I have barely
looked over.

I do hope that you and the other fourteen of your
household are out of bed and done with influenza.

As I have not given you up notwithstanding your
very shocking principles and prejudices against de-
sign in nature, so we shall try to abide your longitudi-
narian defection. I suppose it is longitude, and I am
sorry to see that there is a wide and general desire in
that meridian that we (United States) should fall to
pieces. But the more you want us to, the more we
won't, and the more important it appears to us that
we should be a strong and unbroken power. God
help us, if we do not keep strong enough, at what-
ever cost now it may be, to resist the influence of a
country which looks upon the continuation of our
steady policy to protect and diversify our domestic
industry as a wrong and sin against it. No, no, we
must have our own way. But the triumph of the
Eepublicans was the political destruction of the very
people who were always making trouble with Eng-
land, and, if you would only let us and have some
faith in the North, we should have been permanently
on the best of terms.

What you complain of in the Boston dinner l was
indeed lamentable ; such men should not have talked
bosh, even at a little private ovation, and we have
reason to know some of them were heartily ashamed
of it as soon as they saw it in print. It was immedi-
ately spoken of here, by influential people, some of

1 The dinner after the capture of Mason and Slidell.

VET. 51.] . TO CHARLES DARWIN. 477

whom refused to attend the dinner, and in at least
one paper, in a tone like your own. It was really as
bad as the speeches of some members of Parliament,
and worse because it was foolish.

The fact is, a set of cunning fellows on both sides
of the water (but here utterly characterless) have
contrived to make both English and Yankees believe
that each was bent upon quarreling with the other.

Your thinking of me " as an Englishman " would
once have been a compliment, and is what from my
well-known feelings and expressions I have passed for
among my friends here. Had the North gone on giv-
ing in to the South as for years past, I should have
been one, at least in residence, just as soon as I could
have got out of the country. I thank God, it has
been otherwise, and that I have a country to be proud
of, and which I will gladly suffer for, if need be.
With all its weakness and follies (and I know them
well) I go for my country, and to be friendly with
those we ought to be on good terms with. I am cured
of some illusions. We shall do very well, and the
two countries will be on the best of terms when we
are strong ; till then we must not expect it.

If it is the old question of struggle for life, good
feeling has not much to do with it : the weak must go
to the wall, because it can't help it. " Blessed are
the strong, for they shall inherit the earth."

My wife, who is loath to strike you from her books,
begs you to make allowances for the people here, who
were so very cocky at having caught two such ineffa-
ble scamps as Mason and Slidell, whom we have rea-
son to hate with perfect hatred ; that they thought of
nothing else, and did not mean to be saucy to Eng-
land. But you have made us sore, there is no deny-
ing it. We did not allow enough for longitude.

478 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

Her former message did not refer to Boott (though
he is unfortunately influenced by longitude ; but is a
Yankee born), nor to Hooker, who, Gallio fashion,
cares for none of these things ; thinks us unwise for
fighting, I presume ; but we perfectly agree to say
nothing about such matters. It is odd that you all
fail to appreciate that it is simply a struggle for ex-
istence on our part, and that men will persist in think-
ing their existence of some consequence to themselves,
though you prove the contrary ever so plain ; and will
strike or grasp or kick, right and left, in an undigni-
fied way sometimes ; which the safe and sound by-
stander, coolly looking on, may not appreciate, not
sharing his feelings, telling him the world will get on
quite as well without him ; yet he somehow does not
quite like it.

March 6.

I have your note of February 16, about Melasto-
macese. The test of a good theory is said to be its
power of predicting. If your speculations lead you
to predict the style curved to one side in Melastoma-
cesB, and the prediction is verified, that will be a great
matter in your favor. Why, you are coming out so
strong in final causes that they should make a D. D.
of you at Cambridge !

I shall be pleased if I can help you about Khexia.
R. Virginica grows not far from here, and I will set to
watching it next summer. But I fear it may not help
you, as it is stated in our " Flora of North America "
to have " anthers uniform." I see, however, the
phrase, " style somewhat declined," in the character ;
which must be looked to. The character was drawn
wholly from dried specimens. I have good details from

AST. 51.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 479

fresh ones drawn by Mr. Sprague, but cannot just now
lay hands on them.

Freely point out anything else you want looked at.
I have now a very zealous pupil, who will be glad to
be intrusted with looking up plants and observing.
Ever yours, cordially, ASA GKAY.

There is some jolly science in the " Saturday Re-
view," now and then ; as in December 28, p. 665,
where we are informed that icebergs "are formed
by the splashing of the waves on the coast of Labra-
dor."

Mill being " the greatest logician in England," I
send you an American reprint of a specimen of his
logic, which I know you will like.

We are very sad here at the death of the president
of our university, 1 who had also many warm friends
in England.

March 31.

Yours of the 15th came this evening. To-morrow
I am busy all day in college (where I began my
course this year with lectures on Fertilization, devel-
oping your views on orchid-insect fertilization, dimor-
phism, etc., etc., to an interested class !), so I must
drop a line for you into a letter for Boott, for
Wednesday's post.

A friend has just handed me Morell's new book,
which, looking at psychology from the physiological
side, I see brings up several notions which have been
turning over in my mind for some years. He is
coming out a good Darwinian, I see, and is quite of
my way of thinking about design. You see I km

1 President C. C. Felton.

480 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

determined to baptize ["The Origin of Species"],
nolens volens, which will be its salvation. But if you
won't have it done, it will be damned, I fear. . . .

Things move on here, on the whole, very well.

Yes, I will promise not to hate you ; quite the con-
trary !

Our sensitiveness as to England was the natural re-
sult of the strong filial feeling on our part. It was
very undignified, I dare say. But I think we are get-
ting bravely over it, and getting really not to care
what the Old Country may think or say, so it lets us
alone.

As to Rebeldom, there is now hardly any State
that we have not got some foothold in.

I do not do so much scientific work as before the
war, but still I keep pottering away. From now till
July, I can expect to do little besides my college
duties. Ever, dear Darwin, your cordial friend and
true Yankee, A. GRAY.

May 18.

Yesterday came by post the sheets B - I of your
Orchid book.

This evening (Sunday) I have opened the par-
cel and read introduction and chapter i. What a
charming book it is ! You are right in issuing it in
this form. It would be a sin not to do so.

I fear, though, that no publisher would reprint it
here ; though I may, on reading farther, conclude to
offer it to the Appletons, who should have the refusal.
But it will surely be popular in England, where or-
chids are popular and the species known to most
intelligent and educated people. I hope soon to get
the other sheets. I am perfectly delighted with

MI. 51.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 481

O. pyramidalis, and must extract the whole account
of its fertilization for " Silliman's Journal."

Our only orchis, that is, O. spectabilis, I brought
last summer from western New York, and planted.
I shall in a week have three or four spikes coining
into flower, and I will cover one and leave the others
exposed. They are in a wooded part of the garden,
like their natural habitat. The rest of our Ophry-
dea3 are Habenarias (Platanthera).

I must recur to your letter about Cypripedium and
see what you wanted of it, that is, what observation.

If there be any adaptation, be it ever so pretty, I
shall never see it without your direction. What a
skill and genius you have for these researches ! Even
for the structure of the flower of the Ophyridea3 I
have to-night learned more than I ever knew before.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, April 26, 1861.

MY DEAR FRIEND, — My duties in the university
at this season are very pressing. Besides, we are now
opening a war, upon the determination of which our
very existence depends, and upon which we are to
concentrate all our strength and soul, so I have no
time nor heart to write of botany just now. . . .
Ever, dear De Candolle, yours most cordially,

ASA GRAY.

December 16.

We do not often exchange letters now, and in these
for us trying times in the United States, though far
removed from the actual scenes of war, and not much
interrupted in my botanical studies, except by dis-
tracting thoughts, I write as few letters as I can. The

482 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

unfriendly attitude of England gives us much con-
cern. Were it not for that, it is thought we should
soon put an end to our rebellion. But I will not
write of such matters now.

July 2, 1862.

No fear about our army, now so great. It is
largely composed of materials such as nothing but a
high senset of duty could keep for a year in military
life. It will dissolve like last winter's snow when no
more needed.

While I write, a great battle is in progress, decisive
if we gain it and take the rebel capital, simply pro-
longing the strife if we do not. We can raise at once
another army if need be ; and yet another. Indeed
300,000 more men are now to be accepted, to recruit
our ranks and make a sure thing of the result.

Confident of our cause, we expect confidently the
favor of Providence. . . .

What a charming book is that of Darwin on orchid
fertilization !

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

CAMBRIDGE, April 17, 1862.

I am at work in college now, you know, and it is
very hard work. This last vacation I had to make a
new edition and new additions to my " Manual," etc.,
and to do it in a hurry, and I have at length, for the
first time, found out that I am growing old. In fact
I broke down under it, and have injured my health a
little. ... I doubt if I ever recover the spring and
vim of former times. But we shall see. . . .

My hard work has got correspondence all horridly
behindhand, and determined me to draw in my horns,

^T. 51.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 483

and drop a good deal of it. My desk has long been
so covered deep with unanswered letters, etc., that I
have abandoned it, and now sit over on the other side
of the table.

If I sit down and answer a letter right off the day
it comes, as I am now doing with yours, and as I do
with purely business letters, etc., then it is safe. If I
add it to the heap, it is a gone case, and I fear will
never be really answered.

Eaton, too, as you know, has been very hard worked,
in his father's office.

Well, there is no State now in some part of which
the star-spangled banner does not float. Lincoln is a
trump, a second Washington, steady, conservative,
no fanatical abolitionist. Foote, of your State of Con-
necticut, is putting down his foot on the Mississippi.
McClellan is to fight a great battle at Yorktown.
Another bloody battle may be fought near Corinth,
Mississippi. New Orleans will soon be ours, please
God, and then this wicked rebellion will be done for.
I pray God I may live to see the end of it, and the
States brought back, quietly if they will, forcibly if
they must.

I know it will rejoice your heart to see the thing
done. And it will be worth all it costs.

Come now, here is a good long letter for a man as
tired as I to write, who has been five or six hours in
lecture-room, working hard.

August 1.

Here is a bit of reading for you, — substitute for
letters, which in truth I have not surfeited you with
lately. Who can write letters in these trying times ? . . .

Last spring my health felt pretty seriously im-

484 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

paired. But by end of June I was able to diminish
my college work a little, and take the rest easier, and
so now I feel very much better, more like my old self,
and I am beginning to clear off my table that I may
get at work again on that everlasting South Pacific
Exploring Expedition.

There is a charming book out, by Darwin, on the
fertilization of orchids by insects. It will open your
eyes to most curious things. I have verified much
myself here, and made observations which Darwin
regards as very interesting. I send you a copy of the
book through Eaton, as a present.

Any observations or notes you make I will send to
Darwin.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

July 2, 1862.

I am glad if nay off-hand orchid notes interest you,
or prove of the least use. I am daily expecting a
copy to send you of my notice of the early chapters of
your book. I will continue in the ensuing number.
And whatever of the notes I send you seem to you
worth touching upon, you have only to indicate them,
and send back my memoranda, and I will take them
up. But as to Cypripediums, I should like to have
an opportunity of examining them (except C. acaule)
more at large, and growing.

A week from to-morrow, I expect to be able to
leave Cambridge, to go down, with my examination
papers to read, to my beau-pere's place on the shore,
for a few days. Then I will try to look up and bring
home living Rhexia Virginica ; and also I expect to
have a look at Calopogon pulchellus, with its strong
bearded labellum. And I hope it will not be too late

JET. 51.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 485

to get plenty of Mitchella repens, which my pupils do
not bring me in as they ought. I want to see if long-
styled stigma and short differ, and also the pollen of
the two, as they do in Houstonia, of which I hope I
sent you Rothrock's 1 observations. At least I will
send when he has completed them.

Precocious fertilization in the bud was much noticed
here very long ago by Torrey, in Viola, Specularia,
etc., etc., also in Impatiens, about which see my
" Genera Illustrata," volume ii. I once mentioned it
to you as good evidence of close fertilization. As to
pollen-tubes of such, I have no observations of my
own, but a memory or fancy that they were shown to
me by Torrey. I will ask him, and have him look at
Specularia.

As to the French lady's translation and commen-
tary on the " Origin," I am not so much surprised.
As I view it, there are only two sides to the main
question. Very likely she takes one side in a
thorough-going and consistent manner; and either
she is right, or I am right, i. e., there is design in na-
ture, or there is not. The no-design view, if one can
bring himself to entertain it, may well enough lead to
all she says, and we may very much admire how collision
and destruction of least-favored brings about appar-
ently orderly results, — apparent contrivances or ad-
aptation of means to ends. On the other hand, the
implication of a designing mind must bring with it a
strong implication of design in matters where we
could not directly prove it.

If you grant an intelligent designer anywhere in /

1 J. Trimble Rothrock, of McVeytown, Pennsylvania, b. 1839 ; bot-
anist of Wheeler's Survey of the United States Expedition to Alaska ;
late professor in the University of Pennsylvania.

486 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

Nature, you may be confident that he has had some-
thing to do with the " contrivances " in your orchids.

I have just received and glanced at Bentham's ad-
dress, and am amused to see how your beautiful flank
movement with the Orchid book has nearly overcome
his opposition to the " Origin."

The military simile above leads me to speak of
your wonder that I can think of science at all in the
midst of war. Well, first, we get used to it. Second,
we need something to turn to, and happy are they who,
forbidden to engage personally in the war (as I am
ever itching to do), have something to turn to. Third,
I do not do much, do nothing, in fact, except my col-
lege duties now for months, and that is the reason I
have time to write to you, and be interested in all your
doings.

If you suppose everything is paralyzed and desolate
here, and the country greatly put back, read a very
sensible letter of an Englishman in the " Spectator " of
June 7. It is very just and true. We shall recuper-
ate fast enough, and be better off than ever, as much
prosperity as is good for us, and more solid, more in-
dependent, more self-contained, which is our great de-
sideratum. Free trade be bio wed ; we must needs
have high duties on imports, and it is better that we
should. By these and by direct taxes — the tax-bill
just passed — we shall have to pay over largely. Very
well.

Just at present our prospects (viz., evening of July
3) are looking badly enough. McClellan has clearly
been overmatched and driven to the wall, after very
obstinate fighting, with very heavy loss on both sides.
Whether it is retrievable with reinforcements, or
whether the whole campaign has to be begun again

.GT. 51.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 487

against Richmond, is not yet clear. Anyway we have
got to put shoulder to the wheel anew, and it may be
done, we suppose, more easily and far more promptly
than last year. All we ask is that Europe shall let
us alone.

Enough for to-day.

PROVIDENCE, R. I., July 29, 1862.

No more news in the orchids line. I am making
two or three days of holiday, and yesterday I found a
few specimens of Gymnadenia tridentata. But the
flowers are too small to examine well with a hand
lens. If they keep, I will take them back to Cam-
bridge in a day or two and see what to make of
them. . . .

As to the country, you will see by this time that we
have not the least idea of abandoning the struggle.
We have learned only that there is no use trying any
longer to pick up our eggs gently, very careful not to
break any. The South forces us at length to do
what it would have, been more humane to have done
from the first, i. e., to act with vigor, not to say
rigor.

We shall be complained of for our savageness, no
doubt, whereas we feel that our error has been all the
other way. But the independence, the total indiffer-
ence to English feeling which you recommended last
year, has come at length ; now we care nothing what
Mrs. Grundy says.

CAMBRIDGE, September 22, 1862.

Your pleasant epistles of August 21 and Septem-
ber 4 are to be acknowledged, with thanks. But I
have nothing in particular to communicate, except

488 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

our hearty congratulations that your boy and Mrs.
Darwin are recovering so well.

Tell Leonard that I was pleased both with his at-
tention in writing and with the ocular proof of his
convalescence in his being able so soon to use a pen.
His requests shall be kept in view ; the five-cent
stamp I send now; dare say I shall sometime pick
up the thirty and ninety, though I never saw the lat-
ter, nor the twelve, twenty, and twenty-four on enve-
lopes (the twenty-four cent he must have already, as
it is often used on my envelopes to you).

Bravo for Horace, whose illustration of Natural Se-
lection as to the adders is capital. A chip of the old
block, he evidently is.

I told you that Rothrock had gone to the war, and
perhaps has already been under fire ; probably not. I
had intended that next spring he should do up
Houstonia more perfectly, and work up this and some
related matters for his thesis when he comes up for
examination. But all this is broken up by his enlist-
ment. . . .

I have been lazy about all my writing, working all
day at dry and dull systematic botany, which you
anathematize. But if I get time to turn it over, I
will say a few words on the last chapter of your Or-
chid book. But it opens up a knotty sort of question
about accident or design, which one does not care to
meddle with much until one can feel his way further
than I can.

October 4, 1862.

I have just been reading Max Miiller's lecture on
the Science of Language with much interest. But
perhaps what has interested me most is, after all, his

,ET. 51.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 489

perfect appreciation and happy use of Natural Selec-
tion, and the very complete analogy between diversi-
fication of species and diversification of language. I
can hardly think of any publication which in England
could be more useful to your cause than this volume
is, or should be. I see also with what great effect
you may use it in our occasional discussion about
design ; indeed I hardly see how to avoid conclusion
adverse to special design, though I think I see indi-
cations of a way out.

Depend on it, Max Miiller will be of real service to
you.

October 13.

I have been so much occupied that I deferred to
the last moment to write out my second notice of your
Orchid book for " Silliman's Journal." I wrote out
Saturday evening what I could, and to-day have
finished and sent off my manuscript to New Haven.
The greater part consists of a record of some of my
observations last summer, very hurriedly penned, and
sent off. I trust you will be pleased, and will think
that my little contributions cannot be better hatched
than under your wings.

I hope that my young correspondent is fast recov-
ering strength. Tell him that I have no more stamps
for him yet, but shall pick up his desiderata one of
these days.

I have some nice live roots of Cypripedium, two
or three species to send you, and mean to send
Mitchella.

How Hooker does praise up your book, in the
" Gardener's Chronicle ! "

490 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

CAMBRIDGE, November 10, 1862.

It is refreshing to me that you find the special cor-
respondent of the "Times" detestable.

Your comments upon our affairs always show such
a good spirit that you need not fear even my wife's
" indignation."

We are sorry that you suffer in England ; but you
must blame the rebels for it, not us, and your Man-
chester people should have looked earlier to India for
cotton.

You don't see, as you would if here, the total im-
possibility of coming to any terms of peace with the
South, based on their independence. Before that can
be they or we must be thoroughly beaten. You can't
be expected to see too, what seems plain to me, that
you English would give us no end of trouble if we
attempt a piecemeal existence. We must be strong
enough to keep any Old- World power at bay. Then
we shall behave pretty well, on the whole ; surely so
when the North is dominant and is fairly treated.
" Seizing on Canada." What do we want of Canada?
When the South was aggressive and making slave
States we often looked to the peaceful acquisition of
Canada as desirable, as a counterpoise. But when we
had " changed all that," — and it is changed, and
slavery limited, past all doubt, however the combat
ends, — we no longer have use or need of Canada. If
we get set up again, we have work enough at home,
and our hands full for years ; we shall be strong for
defense, but weak for aggression. The ill-feeling to
England will die out when we are well able to defend
ourselves and our home interests.

It does seem that all England wishes us to be weak
and divided; perhaps that is good national policy.

J5T.52.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 491

But the more that is so, the more necessary it is for
us to vindicate our integrity, at whatever cost. Let
us have it out now, even at the cost of ten times what
it has cost so far.

I never thought anything of American institutions
for England. Aristocracy is a natural and needful
appendage to monarchy. You work out your own
type, and you will liberalize fast enough, and leave us
to do ours. We '11 make it do, with some jangling.

I wish we could be shut up, like the Japanese of
old, for ten or twenty years, only with a weekly mail
from you and Dr. Hooker. Well, well !

Ever yours cordially, ASA GRAY.

November 24.

About Max Miiller ; surely you can't wonder that
the attempt to account for the " first origin of lan-
guage," or of anything else, should be the " least
satisfactory."

The use that I fancied could be made of Max Miil-
ler's book, or rather of the history of language, is some-
thing more than illustration, but only a little more ;
that is, you may point to analogies of development
and diversification of language, of no value at all in
evidence in support of your theory, but good and per-
tinent as rebutting objections urged against it.

Bishop Colenso's book will make a noise in Eng-
land ; indeed, I have only read the notice in the
" Athenaeum."

You detest the spirit of the " Times " quoad U. S.
The " Athenaeum " is just as bad in its little penny-
trumpet way, every chance it can get, from the first.
Can you be much surprised that we return dislike
with interest? But we are pleased to find there are
sensible and fair writers, such as Cairnes and Mill.

492 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

No, dear Darwin, we don't scorn your joining in the
prayer that we daily offer that " God would help our
poor country," and I know and appreciate your honest
and right feeling.

I see also, from the English papers I read, how you
must picture us as in the extreme of turmoil and con-
fusion and chaos. But if you were here, you would
open your eyes to see everything going on quietly,
hopefully, and comfortably as possible. I suppose we
do not appreciate our miseries. We accept our mis-
fortunes and adversities, but mean to retrieve them,
and would sink all that we have before giving
up. We work hard, and persevere, and expect to
come out all right, to lay the foundations of a better
future, no matter if they be laid in suffering. That
will not hurt us now, and may bring great good here-
after.

I never saw, and have scarcely heard of, Miss
Cooper's book you ask after. She is the daughter of
the late J. Fenimore Cooper, the novelist. The vil-
lage she describes must be Cooperstown, New York,
in the county adjacent to that in which I was brought
up, — a region which, every time I visit it, I say it is
the fairest of lands, and the people the happiest.

Oh, as to the weeds ; Mrs. Gray says she allows that
our weeds give up to yours. Ours are modest, wood-
land, retiring things, and no match for the intrusive,
pretentious, self-asserting foreigners. But I send you
seeds of one native weed which, corrupted by bad com-
pany, is as nasty and troublesome as any I know,
namely, Sicyos angulatus ; also of a more genteel
Cucurbitacea, Echinocystis lobata (the larger seeds).
Upon these, especially upon the first, I made my ob-
servation of tendrils coiling to the touch. Put the

^ET. 51.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 493

seeds directly into the ground ; they will come up in
spring, in moist garden soil.

My observations were made on a warm, sunny day.
I doubt if you have warmth and sunshine enough in
England to get up a sensible movement.

My note about them is in " Proceedings of the
American Academy," iv., p. 98, reprinted in " Silli-
man's Journal," March, 1859, p. 277. I must own
that upon casually taking them up since, I never
have obtained such very good results as upon two days
of August, 1858.

Upon gourds affecting each other's fruits, I have
made no observations at all. I have only referred
to that, as a well-known thing, at least, of common
repute here, and then referred to maize, where the
soft sweet-corn, when fertilized by hard yellow-corn,
the grain so fertilized takes the character of the fer-
tilizer. My note about it is in Academy "Proceed-
ings," vol. iv., I think. You have the volumes (which
I have not in reach now), and can find it by the index.
It does not amount to much. Nothing on maize I
know of except Bonafous' folio volume. I am going
to get and send you grains of four or five sorts of
maize. About the involucrate form, I wrote in my
last.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

CAMBRIDGE, 14th October, 1862.

DEAR ENGELMANN, — Never mind turmoil. It will
come out right. I go against the abolition wing, but
support the President in his Proclamation.

If the rebels continue obstinate, that is only a ques-
tion of time. Of that, as a military measure, and of
the expediency, the President of the United States is

494 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862,

the sole judge, and in time of war he is to be sup-
ported heartily. I myself do not see clearly that the
time had come. But I have a notion that the Presi-
dent knows better than I.

As you like Judge Parker, I will send you an arti-
cle written before the Proclamation came out. You
will like it, all but the last part, the bitter end. I
would continue the war, if necessary, to the sweeping
of all rebeldom bare. And that appears to be the
sober sentiment of the country.

If Judge Parker, etc., had let their convention
alone, we would have ousted Sumner for a wiser man.
But now I fear that Sumner will be returned to the
Senate.

You had better in Missouri abolish slavery and
take United States bonds in indemnity. You will
never do better.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

October 13, 1862.

Both Torrey and Eaton speak of having your photo-
graph. You cut me, I suppose, because I am such a
poor correspondent ! I am afraid I deserve it, but
what can a poor fellow do in such times as these ? . . .

A fruit, one of a dozen ripened here this season in
the Garden, has such a tropical look and taste that it
reminded me of you. It is Asimina triloba ! Tastes
like a rich custard into which a piece of scented soap
has fallen. . . .

General Stuart with his cavalry has been cutting
all round McClellan's army again. Next time, I
expect they will make a circuit as far round as Bos-
ton, or at least Connecticut, and carry off the horses.
They are more in earnest than we are ; but we shall
use them up at length.

JET. 51.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 495

November 14.

Here I was this afternoon, moiling over your plants,
copying out Grisebach's manuscripts for the printer
(for the printer won't touch the Dutchy-looking thing ;
and besides, I have additions to make, etc.), when I
just happened to remember that to-morrow is Havana
mail, and that I was by all means to write to you to-
day. There is still time, so here goes.

First, can't you make some arrangement, while you
are at this end of Cuba, to receive a Yankee news-
paper by mail ; say to the address of Don Jose Blain,
or some Havana address. If you can arrange it that
it is not stopped, I will send you papers regularly ; say
the little "Boston Herald," small, soon read, demo-
cratic, patriotic, or others, from time to itime. . . .

As to collecting still, I should say, Yes, go on, in a
gradual and cheap way, i. e., do not make very heavy
outlays, as long as you are in the country ; at least till
next summer. For we cannot get the war done until
late next spring (except in Texas).

If you can do as much for western as for eastern
Cuba, it will be a good thing. . . .

Meanwhile I have money enough for you, if you can
only get it. ...

But how can you get it at present rates ? Or how
can I get it to you ? If greenbacks would pass there
as here, it would be easy enough.

Is there not some Yankee product that I could ship
to you that Blain or Lescaille wants, sewing-machines,
agricultural implements, chairs ? So we might save
the loss on exchange. I will send you anything, from
a mouse-trap to a wheelbarrow !

You have a letter from me which must have reached
you soon after yours of October 25, saying that my

496 LETTERS TO BAR WIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

last was eighty-five days old ! Indeed, you ought to
have had it then.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

January 27, 1863.

I have been far too busy to write letters; have
been interrupted, too, by visitors, etc. . . .

You " wish to heaven the North did not hate us
so." We equally wish the English did not hate us so.
Perhaps we exaggerate the ill will in England against
us: You certainly over-estimate that of the United
States against England, which an influential part of
j your press exaggerates and incites for the worst pur-
poses. But, after all, after the first flurry, we think
and say very little about you, and shall live in peace
with you, if you will let us. There should have been,
and might have been, the most thorough good will be-
tween us. I do not think it is all our fault that it is
not so.

In reply to your question : —

If oak and beech had large, colored corolla, etc., I
know of no reason why it would be reckoned a low
form, but the contrary, quite. But we have no basis
for high or low in any class, say, dicotyledons, ex-
cept perfection of development or the contrary in
the floral organs, and even the envelopes ; and as we
know these may be reduced to any degree in any order
or group, we have really, that I know of, no philoso-
phical basis for high and low. Moreover, the vege-
table kingdom does not culminate, as the animal
kingdom does. It is not a kingdom, but a common-
wealth ; a democracy, and therefore puzzling and un-
accountable from the former point of view.

I have just read De Candolle's paper on oaks and

JST. 52.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 497

species, and origin. Well, he has got on about as
far towards you as I have. It is clear enough that,
as I thought at first, derivation of species is to be
the word, and natural selection admitted. The only
question is, whether this is enough.

Ever your attached friend,

A. GRAY.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, February 16, 1863.

I am disposed to join issue with you on the question
of Linnaeus' definition of species. I have long pon-
dered your discussion of the subject in " Geographic
Botanique," and still think, on the supposition of
the fixity of species (which Linna3us of course had
in view), that between " community of descent " and
" likeness," the former and not the latter is the fun-
damental conception in the idea of species. We may
test this by inquiring whether of the two can be de-
rived from the other. The likeness, I suppose, is the
consequence of the community of descent. But, then,
as the likeness is a thing of degrees, and, according
to present probabilities, species may have only a rela-
tive and temporary fixity, your view will after all
have the advantage ; and the question of species will
come to be metaphysical or logical, rather than nat-
ural-historical. The worst of all is that there will
remain no objective basis or standard; and species
will be what each naturalist thinks best so to con-
sider !

I am pleased to know that the view of my article
on the " Memoirs " 1 is well received by you. Read-

1 " Memoirs of Augustin Pyramus De Candolle," Am. Jour. Sci.,
xxxv. 1-10.

498 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

able articles are very needful, when they can be had,
for a journal which, like Silliman's, cannot exist with-
out popular support. I promised an article of sixteen
pages of this character ; but I intended to enlarge
more at the close upon the genius and influence of
your father, and cite your parallel with Linnaeus as
portrayed by Fabricius. But I found that my pages
were filled before I was aware of it, and I had to cut
short, much too curtly. It left me with a somehow
dissatisfied feeling. All your remarks about the dif-
ference between the profound and the prolific bota-
nists, I agree to ; and I think that both Linnaeus and
De Candolle had as much genius as Robert Brown. . . .

Well, as to origin of species, you have now gone
just about as far as I have, in Darwinian direction,
and both of us have been led step by step by the
facts and probabilities, and have not jumped at con-
clusions.

I shall be curious to see Mme. Royer's book ; Dar-
win has spoken of her.

Under my hearty congratulations of Darwin for his
striking contributions to teleology, there is a vein of
petite malice, from my knowing well that he rejects
the idea of design, while all the while he is bringing
out the neatest illustrations of it !

Did time allow, I should like to write at large upon
these enticing topics. . . .

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, March 16, 1863.

I received this morning a letter from William Short,
announcing to me the death of his lamented father,
our excellent friend, Dr. C. W. Short, of Louisville,
Kentucky, one of our oldest botanists, and one of the

^T. 52.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 499

best of men and kindest of friends. He died on the
7th inst., of a typhoid fever, supervening on a severe
cold.

I feel the loss very much. Although we never met,
he was one of my most valued friends. . . .

He always remembered his former correspondence
with you with great interest, and was particularly
pleased when, in my letter, I could give him news of
you.

His herbarium, upon which he bestowed great pains
and considerable expense, is conditionally bequeathed
to the Smithsonian Institution.

Our botanical Nestor is Dr. Darlington. A few
months since I had a letter from him written in as firm
a hand as ever ; but now he is prostrated by paralysis,
which, however, leaves his mind clear. But he cannot
remain much longer with us. Short and Darlington
were both hearty and true Christian gentlemen.

April 28, 1863.

Your kind letter of the 6th inst. and the photograph
were received with more gratification than I can well
express. Both your handwriting and your carte de
visite show you to be well and strong, and, please God,
long may you so continue.

Your face looks fuller than a dozen years ago, and
a bit older, it may be, but it recalls your friendly
and kindly expression, and is the best substitute I
can have for not seeing you again.

What I wrote of our Nestor, Dr. Darlington, as
about to be removed from us, has come to pass.
The good old man died, after much suffering from a
paralysis, on Wednesday last, the 22d, as a newspaper
slip has apprised me. He had reached the age of

500 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

eighty-one. Unless we continue to rank Dr. Bigelow
among the botanists, Dr. Torrey, and even myself,
now count among the most advanced in age.

I am most happy to tell you that Dr. Torrey, whom
I lately saw in New York, and who last week looked
in upon us here for a day, is quite well.

Mrs. Greene is cheerful and busy in carrying out
her husband's bequest and desires, in favor of the
Boston Natural History Society, to whom he left his
herbarium and botanical library.

By Professor George Bond, a colleague and neigh-
bor of mine, our distinguished astronomer, and a most
worthy, amiable, and modest person, whom I hope you
may see, I sent out to you a photograph of F. A. Mi-
chaux and of Adrien de Jussieu, which I thought you
might like, and which I have just had made from
daguerreotypes which I induced them to sit for in
Paris in 1851. Bond will be delighted to see Kew
again with its vast improvements.

Ever, dear Sir William, yours affectionately,

ASA GRAY.
i

TO MRS. THOMAS P. JAMES.

CAMBRIDGE, April 30, 1863.

I had sent some while ago word to Miss Morris
that I had a single seedling Darlingtonia, and should
like to know if Dr. Darlington was in condition to be
interested in it. But she thought the time had passed
for that.

His memory will long be venerated. We, at least,
shall not forget him.

Twenty years ago he had sent to me his selected
epitaph, and had discussed it. It is natural and char-
acteristic. I should take an interest in seeing such

^T. 52.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 501

an inscription on his tombstone. But, entre nous, I
should not fancy such an one on my own. I should
select rather some simple line of Holy Writ, ex-
pressive of the Christian trust and faith, such as our
friend died in.

I had lately been writing brief notices of several of
our botanists, deceased, for the May number of " Silli-
man's Journal " (as you see, I mail a copy just re-
ceived) ; and at the time I felt that they probably
would not be published before there would be another
and more distinguished name to add.

I shall not wait for the year to come round, but I
hope to draw up a brief tribute to his memory for the
July number of " Silliman's Journal." So I should
be much obliged to you for the dates and other partic-
ulars you kindly offer to furnish. I hope that auto-
biography which you are so fortunate as to possess is
of such a character that it may be printed, and that
you will give it along with a little memoir from your
own pen. It will be quite in your way, and I would
rather you should do it than any one else. . . .

By the way, I may as well mention that Dr. Dar-
lington told me that certain letters, etc., of Baldwin's,
which he could not print, as they were severe on Nut-
tall, should come into my possession after his own
death. You will probably know if any bundle of
papers is left, directed to my charge.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

CAMBRIDGE, March 22, 1863.

MY DEAR DARWIN, — Argyle's article on the Su-
pernatural, to which you called my attention a long
while ago, I never happened to see till to-day, when I
have read it through. It is quite clever, not deep,

502 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

but clear, and I think useful. I see no occasion for
finding fault with him, except in his attempts now
and then to direct a little odium against you, which is
unhandsome, for his main points are those I hammered
out in the " Atlantic," etc. ; indeed I see signs of his
having read the same. But it is hardly fair of him,
after expressing his complete conviction that where
the operation of natural causes can be clearly traced,
the implication of design, upon its appropriate evi-
dence, is not thereby rendered less certain or less
convincing, to go on to speak of derivation-doctrine in
a way that implies the contrary.

Of course we believers in real design make the
most of your " frank " and natural terms, " contri-
vance, purpose," etc., and pooh-pooh your endeavors
to resolve such contrivances into necessary results of
certain physical processes, and make fun of the race
between long noses and long nectaries !

March 23.

Dr. Wyman,1 who is a sharp fellow, tells me that,
on the authority of the historian Prescott, the Incas
of Peru, for no one knows how long, married their
sisters, to keep the perfect purity of the blood.
Query : How did this strong case of close-breeding
operate ? Did they run out thereby ? Wyman thinks
there is no evidence of it.

If it is true, and the Incas stood it for a long
course of generations, you must look to it, for it will
bear hard against your theory of the necessity of
crossing. If they run out, you will have a good case.

1 Dr. Jeffries Wyman.

^T. 52.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 503

April 11.

You see that, at length, the thing is nearly done,
and, to use the expression here, rebeldom is "gone
up."

You have long seen, I suppose, that I was right in
saying there was but one .possible end to the war ; also
that the continuance for a time or abolition of slav-
ery depended simply on the rebels, — that if they obsti-
nately and persistently resisted, slavery was thereby
doomed.

It has been a long, weary, and trying work. But
the country has had the needed patience and nerve,
and the thing is done, once for all, at great cost, but
to immense and enduring advantage.

You are the only Britisher I ever write to on this
subject, and, in fact, for whose opinions about our
country I care at all.

So I hasten to rejoice with you over the beginning
of the end.

April 20.

You asked me to tell you, when I had read it, what
I thought of Sir Charles Lyell's book.1 I have only
to-day finished the perusal of the copy he kindly sent
me, that is, all but half of the matter on glacial pe-
riod, which I reserve till I can read it more attentively.
Throughout it is a very interesting and to me a very
satisfactory book. It is three books : 1. A capital
resume and examination of what we knew about the
evidence of antiquity of man ; no evidence we had not
read of before, but very clearly presented, of course.

2. A treatise on the glacial period. Out of this I
have much to learn, and must read it all again care-
fully ; of a part I have not yet cut the leaves.

1 The Antiquity of Man.

504 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

3. On transmutation matters. That part of the
book I can judge somewhat of, and I declare it first-
rate. It is just about what I expected, and is charac-
teristic of the man. I think that you, and Hooker,
are unreasonable in complaining of Lyell that he
does not come out " flat-footed," as we say, as an ad-
vocate of natural-selection transmutation. For, 1st, it
is evident that though inclined strongly towards it he
is by no means satisfied that natural selection will do
all the work you put upon it. 2d, he very plainly
implies nearly all you would have him say. And, 3d,
he serves your cause (supposing it to be well-founded)
quite as effectually, perhaps, by his guarded position,
by his keeping the position of a judge rather than of
an advocate, and by considering still the case as not
yet ripe for a decision.

Very skillfully, too, has he presented the case of
transmutation so as to commend it, as much as pos-
sible, to us orthodox people. (Huxley, I suppose,
whose two books I have not seen, would put it in a
way to frighten us off.) Indeed, I think he has shown
remarkable judgment and taste, and will have much
success in disarming prejudice. And this is all you
could ask.

The chapter on language makes the points I sup-
posed would be made, or some of them, but only dips
in, leaving more to be said. But this is rather tick-
lish ground, for, if we are not careful here, you would
get the better of us in this field quoad design.

If I had got the book three or four weeks earlier I
should have worked in some notice of the last chapter
into my review of De Candolle, etc., on Species, in
the May number of " Silliman's Journal."

Now please do not think of being ill this spring,

2ET.52.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 505

and passing all your valuable time, wasting it, at a
water-cure.

I have really, as you see, nothing special to write
of this week, and no time to read what I have hur-
riedly penned.

May 26.

Your letter on heterogeny is keen and good ;
Owen's rejoinder ingenious. But his dissent from
your well-put claims of natural selection to attention
and regard is good for nothing except on the ad-
mission of the view that species are somehow derived
genealogically; and this I judge, from various of
Owen's statements, that he really in his heart believes
to be the case, and was (as I long ago intimated my
suspicions) hunting about for some system of deri-
vation, when your book came down upon him like a
thunderclap.

Wyman, here, is greatly pleased with Huxley's book
on man's place in nature. I have not even seen it.

Did you ever notice how prettily Iris is arranged
for cross-fertilizing by bees, etc. ?

Your Linum paper has long been here. But I have
actually not had time to read it. _. I might have
glanced at it. But I find it best to read only when
I can do so with some attention.

Phyllotaxis : I have no notion in the world why the
angular divergences should be of that series of num-
bers and not of others. Opposite leaves give (decus-
sating) the angles. My puzzle has been to account
for this system in cycles in leaves running into the
system of decussating whorls in flowers (usually,
almost universally). You will see the question by
comparing in my " Botanical Text-Book " (not " Les-

506 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

sons "), pp. 236, 237, with chapter v., section 1; and
you see I have drawn an illustration from it apropos
to Falconer's remark. But explaining the obscure by
the obscure does not amount to much.

As to national affairs, how quarrelsome you Eng-
lish are. Here are we, cool and quietly occupied with
our little affairs, never dreaming of harm from you,
and your people are . trying their prettiest to pick a
quarrel with us, because we do what Historicus says
the English have always done and will do again when
the time comes, having Lord Stowell to back them !
Tell me, who is Historicus in the " Times " ? An
able and most influential person evidently.

The government of England is now showing sense.
Do not wonder that some wild talk is given to the air
in this rough country, after what you have heard in
the House of Commons, and read in the " Times," etc.
Am afraid we shall not like each other for a good
while — the nations. But all shows I was right. We
must carry out our little job, and hold the United
States complete and develop material strength at any
cost, or we could not live without eating more dirt than
we like.

Boasting nonsense is pretty well knocked out of us
by severe discipline and sad reverses, but the deter-
mination is stronger than ever.

Time up and paper full. Forgive my maundering,
and believe me to be,

Ever your affectionate, A. GRAY.

June, [1863].

I am kept distractingly busy, so look for nothing of
any use from me yet awhile.

Your Ohio case of law against marrying of cousins,

^T.52.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 507

I put to my neighbor, Professor Parsons, who had it
looked up. He tells me there is no such law at all on
the Ohio statute books, nor is there a trace of any
law on the subject to be found in the laws of any State
in the United States. He doubts if there can really
be any statistics which tell on the point, because, first,
the marriage of first cousins is a rare thing in this
country ; second, the United States decennial censuses
do not afford any information on the matter ; third,
nor any of the [state] censuses that he knows of.

Pray, don't run mad over Phyllotaxis ! I can't save
you, I am sure.

George's " Converging Sines " is the same, perhaps,
as what Bravais was after. His memoir may help you
(see " Botanical Text-Book," p. 141, par. 248) ; or, if
you want something thoroughly mathematical, consult
Neumann, of Berlin, in some paper, which I have no
reference to. ...

I am sorry you do not give a better account of your-
self. Be careful and do not work too hard.

July 7.

My last from you is May 31.

I had arranged to reprint most of Bates on Mimetic
Analogy in " Silliman's Journal," but my long re-
view of A. de Candolle crowded it out. I then thought
of a brief abstract, but have had no time to prepare it.
I wrote remarks and arranged long extracts of your
Linum paper, and insisted on it for the July number
of " Silliman's Journal." But it, too, was laid over, not
for anything I had, for I have little in the July number.

I like and agree to your remark that, in Bates' s
Geographical Varieties, etc., we get about as near to
seeing a species made as we are ever likely to get ;

508 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

and so believing, I think your gradual way more likely
than Heer's jumps.

Apropos to Heer, you ask me if it is not impossible
to imagine so many and nice coadaptations as we see
in orchids being formed all by a chance blow.

I reply, Yes, perfectly impossible to imagine (and
much the same by any number of chance blows).

So I turn the question back upon you. Is not the
fact that the coadaptations are so nice next to a
demonstration against their having been formed by
chance blows at all, one or many ?

Here lies, I suppose, the difference between us.
When you bring me up to this point, I feel the cold
chiU.

I have been doing nothing but attend to my daily
work, and had got so fagged that I really thought I
was about to have softening of the brain, or some other
breakdown. But a week of respite, caused by the
death of an aged relative of my wife's, — a dear old
soul, — taking us away from here perforce, has set me
up very nearly, and now after a week more comes my
vacation, and we are off into the quiet country for
three weeks.

A little legacy of about <£2,000 to my wife comes
in opportunely to relieve us of anxiety for the future.
We have no children (which I regret only that I have
no son to send to the war), and this with a little in-
come, rather precarious, of about ,£200 a year would
support us in our very simple way, if I were to throw
up my place here. But I cannot do that yet. . . .

Look at Impatiens flowers ; see if the most fertile
" precociously fertilized " ones ever get crossed !

I have asked in three directions for seeds of the
Specularia perfoliata. Inclosed are depauperate
specimens.

JET. 52.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 509

It is pretty to see honey-bees cross-fertilize Lo-
cust (Robinia), much as you say of broom. One of
my students has been noticing the way bees act on
Kalmia.

Now for my best thing for to-day.

An orchid which I missed last year, Platanthera
flava, I knew would be curious, for I remembered a
strong protuberance on base of labellum, on the me-
dian line. I have not time left to describe it now, hav-
ing been sadly interrupted, but it is pretty, — equal to
anything you have yet seen in British orchids. The
process turns proboscis of insect either to right or left,
where it will slip into an imperfect ring (as seen from
above) or deep groove (as seen from before), in which
lies the disk, not flat but coiled up, ready to catch pro-
boscis. It is like the eye of a needle to receive the
thread.

Perhaps I will send you, or print, a sketch l of the
thing.

I am waiting for Gymnadenia tridentata to come
on.

But the post hour has come.

July 21.

Your latest is of the 26th ult. You need not
worry! It never wearies nor bores me to write to
you, in the off-hand way I do. I enjoy our corre-
spondence too much to consent to curtail or interrupt
it. I learn from you, here in this remote part of the
world, a thousand things which I should not other-
wise know at all. And you stimulate my mind far
more than any one else, except, perhaps, Hooker. So
please do not make a fuss, but let me go on in my own

1 There was a rough sketch of the disk, etc., in the margin.

510 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

fashion, and send me your fresh and stimulating let-
ters, whenever you are in the mood of it. I am now
in my vacation, and already, having idled and dawdled
a week or two, I am as well and hearty as possible,
and in the best of spirits. We should leave home
this week for three weeks' run in the country, but the
sickness of my wife's nephew, Lieutenant Jackson of
Massachusetts Cavalry, will keep us awhile, as, though
not alarming, it might take a bad turn, and so I may
not be in the country for a week or two yet. We
shall see. . . .

I have strong and fresh Drosera rotundif olia, and
it will now turn in its bristles and stick the viscid
gland fast to a fly, binding him fast on all sides with
liliputian cords. But it is awfully slow about it, —
say three or four hours, and the next day the leaf
sometimes becomes involute and folds over or curves
around the insect ; but what good ? If the fly is not
stuck fast in alighting, no movement takes place to
hold him till he has got away if he ever could. How-
ever, it is an indication of what is so effectually done
in Dionaea.

Rotary movement of end of tendril-bearing stems
is common, is it not, and well-known ?

Any notes you will give me to print in " Silliman's
Journal," I shall always delight in.

I have been reading Owen's Aye-aye paper. Well,
this is rich and cool ! Did I not tell you in the " At-
lantic," long ago, that Owen had a transmutation
theory of his own ! It is your Hamlet, with the part
of Hamlet left out ! But as you say now, you don't
so much insist on natural selection, if you can only
have derivation of species. And Owen goes in for
derivation on the largest scale. You may as well
lovingly embrace ! Oh, it is rare fun ! . . .

JET. 62.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 511

I have been so far disappointed in getting no Gym-
nadenia tridentata. But I still hope for it. I must
have it, indeed.

Boott's address is good, chiefly very good. But he
speaks of Wyman's paper without having duly con-
sidered it. Wyman's experiments are better than
Pasteur's, and the results opposite !

P. S. — Papers just in, or rather telegrams, that you
in London were daily awaiting and expecting the
capture of Washington, etc., and speculating as to
whether Jeff Davis's envoys from Washington might
not be received at London as a fait accompli. A good
deal of little-concealed joy, etc.

Oh, foolish people ! When will you see that there
is only one end to all this, and that the North never
dreams of any other, — the complete putting down of
the rebellion. And since 1863 began, it was clear that
it would be attended with the annihilation of slavery.

Time was when we should have highly valued Eng-
lish appreciation of the right cause. We have long
ceased to care or think about it.

We only wish you had the city of New York. But
the sympathizers with secession and riot there have
done their worst, and lost their game. The city of
New York is the only part of our country which I am
ashamed of ; and the trouble there is that it is not
American. Enough ; good-bye. A. G.

September 1.

Your fine, long letter of August 4th reached me
up in the country, in my native region, in the centre
of the State of New York, rusticating and enjoying
ourselves mightily. We were among the people of a
thriving region ; a well-to-do set ; no poverty near us

512 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

for miles and miles, i. e., no hardship, except any that
a drunken laborer might bring on his family ; and I
longed to take you out with us in our drives, that you
might see a happy and comfortable country, more and
more so every year, and perhaps a larger ratio of the
population refined to a reasonable degree in feeling and
life than I know of in any other part of the world.

I will consider about fantastic variation of pigeons.
I see afar trouble enough ahead quoad design in na-
ture, but have managed to keep off the chilliness by
giving the knotty questions a rather wide berth. If
I rather avoid, I cannot ignore the difficulties ahead.
But if I adopt your view bodily, can you promise me
any less difficulties ?

If your Lythrum paper shall be at all equal in in-
terest to that on Linum, it will be a gem.

As to tendrils, what are Hooker and Oliver (the
latter a professor, too) about, and where have they
lived not to know anything of them ? Everybody
must have seen, in Cucurbitaceae and Passiflora, ten-
drils reaching out straight for a certain time, and
then, if they reach nothing, coiling up from the end.
Also the sweeping of stems. . . .

P. S. [To the above ?] Three numbers of Boston
newspapers recently sent you, two by this mail (in
which my good beau-pere is again " spiking the Eng-
lish "), please to forward to Reuben Harvey, Esq.,
Limerick, Ireland.

You are quite out in supposing that hatred of Eng-
land is increasing, or that there is the least desire to
meddle with you, except in self-defense.

My own feelings were very sensitive at first, because
I expected better things, and I then deferred much
to British opinion. I now do neither, and nothing

^T. 53.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 513

strikes me more than the smallness of mind and
largeness of gullibility of the British people, as far as
I can judge from their press (weeklies, quarterlies, and
" Times "). But I do not suppose you will fight us
because you dislike us ; and so conversely. I suppose
I do not see the papers which so abuse England,
though I read influential and respectable papers ; but
from what I do see, I think we receive far more abuse
and misrepresentation and unfair usage than we give.

As to the course of the war and policy of our coun-
try as to slavery, some day when you turn back to
some early letter of mine you will see that I was a
fairly good prophet ; that the South might have de-
layed the abolition of slavery by giving up early in
the conflict, but that every month of continued resist-
ance hastened and insured the downfall of slavery.
That is now doomed, and sure near to rapid death ;
quick in some places, slower in others, but sure.

Ill-usage of negroes — who make such good sol-
diers — will soon be unheard of, except with Irish. It
will take some generations of American life to breed
out the barbarian they bring to the country.

November 23.

The next best thing, of late, is the expose of Lind-
say and George Saunders (the Confederates) by His-
toricus.

I trust Historicus' previous letters, in which he
shows (about the same time my father-in-law's articles
on the subject reached England) that it is the duty of
a country to see that armed or war vessels are not
fitted out, quite irrespective of all municipal law, have
produced their proper effect. Something has pro-
duced a great effect, and a great change in the idea

514 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

of what it was incumbent on the government to do ;
and nothing can be more satisfactory than the views
now taken ; and the effect here is excellent. For we
are sure that when the right notions once get a lodg-
ment, as they have, England will faithfully carry them
through. Lawyers whom I knew here were confident
how the law would ultimately be laid down by your
courts ; but we greatly feared it would be done only
after a few more such vessels had got to sea. All
will go well now.

The newspaper I occasionally send you is a fair
specimen of the influential part of the press here.
Such articles as the " Times " likes to cite have far
less effect here than you suppose in the determination
of events.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

CAMBRIDGE, December 11, 1863.

MY DEAR ENGELMANN, — Our good old friend Von
Martius writes me that on the 30th March next, he
will reach his fiftieth anniversary of his doctorate. I
dare say his friends will commemorate it in Germany.
It occurs to me that it would be a good idea for some
of us, his friends and correspondents, to compliment
him upon the occasion. Suppose you draw up in Ger-
man a letter of congratulation, etc., to be signed by
yourself, Torrey, Sullivant, etc., and forward about
the proper time. Send me, with your German circu-
lar letter to Martius, a translation in English. . . .

Yes, I will let you work at botany when I guard
you.1 Your botanical work is far better than your
politics. But you must swear the President's oath,
Proclamation and all ! !

1 Dr. Gray enlisted and drilled with a company raised for service in
Massachusetts.

JKT. 53. J TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 515

Martius is not a very remarkable botanist, but
good ; is a genial, philosophical soul (full of Plato,
etc.), a good explorer, has worked up the Palms, etc.,
well, and is a wonderful man for the amount he
knows on a vast number of different subjects, — phi-
lology, antiquities, philosophy, et id genus onme.

May 3, [1864].

. . . Spring is opening here, but late. From this
to July 10, I am engaged in college every day in the
week. Also am watching the herbarium building go
up, the brick walls of which, if good weather, may be
all up this week, and the roof put on next week.

Your circular letter to good Martius was very good,
especially in its original German. Thanks. . . .

Never mind if " Sagittaria graminea, Michaux," is
applicable to only one form. You had best keep the
old name, the more so as that you propose, S. sim-
plicifolia, is " not always correct." We can't let you
change a name because you can improve it. Too
many can and would play at that game, and less dis-
creetly than you would, and then cite your example !

If Fendler gets tired of bush-clearing, and will come
to me this fall, I will give him $500 a year as curator,
lodgings, two rooms in gardener's house, which I have
reserved ; and let him have say three days in the
week for himself, if he wants them.

The people are determined to support and reelect
their excellent President Lincoln (what a noble letter
that last of his), whether Fremont and the like make a
coalition with copperheads or not. It is all the same
to us. Lincoln will walk the course. God bless him !

Wright is coming home for a few months this sum-
mer.

516 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

TO CHABLES WRIGHT.

CAMBRIDGE, September 18, 1863.

What Don Jose affirms about coast and mountain
vegetation being much the same is curious, unlikely,
yet you seem to find it so. That bit of coast with all
microphyllous and spiny vegetation is also curious.

I am glad you like him for being an abolitionist.
Though not very much of an abolitionist myself, at
the start, I hope I can fall in with, and welcome, the
ways of Providence, when Providence takes the mat-
ter in hand, and say Amen. . . .

Well, you are doing well in botanizing, and should
finish up Cuban botany while you are at it. And on
your return, you and Grisebach should join teams,
and do up Cuban botany in a full memoir. You are
right to stay till next spring. You are happy in
Cuba; you would not be so here. Things in the
United States do not go to suit you at all. " Things
is working," and in the right way, — but the end must
be the total suppression of the rebellion, — the exile
or punishment of rebel leaders, the return of the
masses to their duty, and they will put things straight.
Just what is now going on in Tennessee will go on
elsewhere, I suppose. I know only one man in Cam-
bridge that you could talk secesh to. We can corre-
spond very well, and keep cool. But if we were to-
gether, during the war, we should get into a row at
once. It could not be otherwise. . . .

When the Union is restored (which it is to be, of
course, when the rebellion is put down) those who do
not love us well enough to resume their duties and
privileges have only to take themselves off to some
country they like better. The United States of Amer-
ica belongs to loyal, Americans. After the war the

JKT. 53.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 517

country will prosper wonderfully. And the South
will get to be something.

December 1.
Things move on.

" The mills of the Gods grind slow, but they grind

(exceeding fine." Wait in Cuba a year longer, and

you may return to a country in which slavery, having

tried to get more, has lost all, and as a system is

defunct, to the lasting benefit of all parties.

You might now revisit your old Texan haunts,
under General Banks' s protection.

The November elections show a united North.
Peace democracy has made its issue, and is dead.
The reelection of Lincoln by acclamation seems prob-
able, supported by moderate men of all sorts, the ex-
tremes of the opposing parties alone going against
him. . . .

Merry Christmas to you.

January 21, 1864.

By the steamer of Saturday, which takes this, a
good young fellow, Mr. Kennedy, a member of our
Senior class, goes to Cuba, to look after business of
his father, and, when he can, to botanize, only four or
five weeks, that is, in vacation. He is very fond of
botany, and bids fair to be a botanist some day, if he
does not take to money-making instead. . . .

This war, we think, will be pretty much over next
summer ; and then, back in the Union, with, slavery
pretty much nowhere, by the hearty wish of a ma-
jority of the people, we may expect a career of pros-
perity and real advance of the South, such as it has
never known. At least we hope so.

518 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

TO R. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, December 25, 1863.

For ourselves, your letter found us here just on the
eve of our month's holiday, a trip to Lake George,
and thence to my natal region, in the most beautiful
(and the most English-looking) part of the State of
New York. . . . My wife was well enough to do her
small part in a great fair held in Boston for the
United States Sanitary Commission (which has kept
the ladies very busy for the last six months), which
has just closed, having brought the net proceeds of
about 1125,000 (it turns out 8140,000) for the relief
of suffering.

As to our national affairs, I should like now and
then to send you such comments or articles as seem to
me to throw most light upon our condition. There is
little I could say in a letter. I said very early to
English friends that if the rebellion were short it
might leave things much as they were before (no de-
sirable state), but if long and obstinate, it would cut
the knot we were unable to untie and completely de-
stroy the slave system. You see now it is coming to
pass, by rather slow but sure steps, and a great bless-
ing it is to be to the South. To the North the war,
with all its sad evils, has been a great good, morally
and politically. The end is in the hands of Provi-
dence, and we humbly wait for it ; but there is very
little diversity of opinion here as to what, essentially,
the end is to be, that is, the complete territorial rein-
statement of the Union, and the abolition of slavery.
Very sanguine, you think, in England. We must
wait and see, and on our part hope and labor.

Now for a little personal matter. I have long been
anxious for the safety and final destination of my

^x. 53.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 519

herbarium and other botanical collections, which in
my house (besides that, there is not room for them)
are too liable to destruction from fire. I had offered
them, with my botanical library, to our university, if
they would build in the Botanic Garden a fireproof
building to hold them, and raise a small fund for
their support. Kecently and quite unexpectedly, a
banker in Boston, almost unknown to me personally,
has offered in any case to construct the building, and
a few friends are taking steps, with good prospects, to
raise by gifts a fund of $10,000 for the support of the
establishment. When done, I shall feel that my col-
lections, which are most important for North Ameri-
can botany, are secure for the use of future botanists.
^To secure this I gladly divest myself of the ownership
(of collections which have absorbed most of my small
spare means for the last thirty years, and which are
valued at $20,000 or more. . . .

In the council of our American Academy (of which
since May last I have been president) we have nom-
inated Dean Milman to the foreign honorary mem-
bership vacated by the death of Whately, and Max
Miiller to that vacated by Grimm. The election has
not yet taken place.

Mrs. Gray, with kind regards, joins me in best
wishes for the new year to you and yours.

Very sincerely yours, ASA GRAY.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, December 22, 1863.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — I thank you cordially
for your letter of the 13th November, and for the
copy of Thury's interesting and curious paper. This
I had not seen, neither Pictet's notice. I find it very

520 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1863,

interesting, but I do not see how he got a legitimate
deduction from the facts given by Knight in the veg-
etable kingdom to his principle in the animal king-
dom. However, that is of small moment if the prin-
ciple holds. The subject is one which will naturally
attract much attention, and which, as you remark, has
philosophical bearings. I mean to bring it up, next
week, for discussion at our private (social) scientific
club in Cambridge.

I thank you also for the good spirit in which you
take, as I meant them, my criticisms upon your article
on Species, etc. There is no progress to be made
upon such interesting subjects without free criticism,
because without it we cannot perfectly clear up our
own views nor impart them perfectly to others. And
especially, since I have so often to criticise the views
or writings of persons for whom I have no particular
regard, it is pleasant, if only for the sake of impartial-
ity, to criticise those for whom you have the greatest
regard and respect. So I particularly like it when I
can criticise such a near friend as J. D. Hooker or
Bentham, and I believe they like it, too, at least
Hooker, who is himself a very free critic. Of course, I
know very well that you will be likely to turn all the
points I made. The question upon which of the two
foundations the idea of species rests, I well know is
not to be settled off-hand by any bit of argument.
Pray take up the cudgels against me whenever an
occasion offers. . .

As to theoretical views, you and I receive and use
them as means, not as ends, and expect to change
many of them from time to time. Such especially as
relate to origins and causes are the questions which
we ask, rather than answers that we receive ; and we

JET. 63.] TO JAMES D. DANA. 521

put our questions variously according to the leadings
of the case at the time. But this is all commonplace
and trite.

It is curious to see that Owen, in his Aye-aye paper,
has come to adopt Heer's 1 views essentially, of course
without the slightest allusion to Heer.

Our civil war goes on slowly, but very surely, to-
ward the destruction of negro slavery ; and with all
its great cost, we may hope for future benefit in pro-
portion. By the time we have nearly ended our war,
it may be that Europe will have its turn again. I
hope not. A. GRAY.

TO JAMES D. DANA.

CAMBRIDGE, January 20, [1864].

MY DEAR DANA, — Perhaps you may not know,
and I hope you may be as pleased as I was to know,
that your article of last summer on Geological Periods
is reprinted in full in the " Reader " (of London),
with an appreciative prefix.

Cephalization goes on bravely in your very taking
article which you have just sent me. I am much
struck with it.

In one thing you zoologists miss it, I think, — in
following French customs in dropping the Latin, the
vernacular of science, in names. I wish you would
write Aphaniptera, etc., which is just as much Eng-
lish after all as Aphanipters, and good for all Ian-

Have Englishified contractions for all such names
if you will ; it is well. But in proposing and formally

1 Oswald Heer, 1809-1883 ; born in canton St. Gall, Switzerland ;
professor of botany at Zurich. ' ' The most distinguished paleouto-
logical botanist of our time " [A. Q.].

522 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1864,

writing of such divisions, etc., pray use the scientific
form.

The other course has greatly jargonified zoology.

In botany we have always been more dignified.
Moreover I detest " larve," though Kirby tried to in-
troduce the word. " Larva " has got to be as English
as " phenomenon."

But I dare say most would agree with you.

I like the ring of most of the new technical terms
you have coined. . . . Ever yours,

A. GRAY.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

February 16, 1864.

MY DEAR DARWIN, — Here we are past midwinter,
and not being stimulated as of old by your exciting
letters, I have not written you a line since Christmas.
Not that I have had anything in particular to tell you.
I write now to say how very sorry I am that the word
or two I get about you from Hooker gives me the
idea that you are having an uncomfortable and suffer-
ing time, as well as entirely broken off from scientific
work. I feel very sorry about it, and do long for
better news of you. . . .

I have lately printed a couple of monographs, one
pretty big one, of American Astragali. I do not know
that they contain anything you would care to see.
Yet I think I shall send you a copy presently, through
Hooker.

I feel much the loss of dear old Boott, so good, so
true a friend, and he was always writing me little
notes telling me of all that was going on.

The sentiment of our country, you must see, at
least I assure you, has settled, as I knew it would if

JCT.53.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 523

the rebellion was obstinate enough, into a determina-
tion to do away with slavery. Homely, honest, un-
gainly Lincoln is the representative man of the coun-
try. '

A Boston gentleman, at cost of $ 11,000 or more,
is to build a fireproof house for my herbarium, which
I give to the university, with my botanical library.
A fund of $12,000 is raising to support it, which
will relieve me of the expenditure of about $500 a
year. But I shall have double care and bother all
the coming spring and summer.

Dr. Scudder has gone to Cuba, to attend an in-
valid, and wishes to examine orchid fertilization, and
asks me what in particular he should look at.

Pray get well, dear Darwin, and believe me to be
ever, Yours cordially, ASA GRAY.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, April 4, 1864.

MY DEAR MR. CHURCH, — If you have long ago
written your American correspondent off your books,
as being a right shabby fellow, he could not com-
plain.

Here is your agreeable letter of January 19th, a
most prompt and more than kind response to mine of
Christmas, still unacknowledged by me !

The fact simply is that I have been delaying week
by week in the hope of being able to announce to
you that the subscription for the support of our botan-
ical establishment was filled up. I am sorry to say
that this cannot yet be said. The matter has been
privately conducted, that is, nothing said about it in
the public prints ; but the two gentlemen who took
the matter in hand have quietly circulated the paper

524 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1864,

among their well-to-do acquaintances in Boston, not
beginning till late in January, under the idea that the
fair for the Sanitary Commission had perhaps ex-
hausted their friends' purses. Since then, far greater
and more pressing demands have been made upon
the benevolent and the public-spirited, for a variety
of good objects; and our affair has gone slowly in
consequence.

I have not heard for a week respecting it, but a
week ago the sum subscribed was a little less than
seven thousand dollars, the greater part in sums of
1500 each. The 110,000 is obviously secure, for sub-
scribers of $100 each, yet to be appealed to, may be
relied on for a good part of the lacking sum. But
it begins to be clearly seen that $ 12,000 are needed
for the capital of the fund, and this, at the present
rate, it will take some time to secure.

Your own offer of a small subscription, I can truly
say, not only gratified me in the highest degree, as an
expression of an interest in our affair which I had no
reason to expect, but has already been of use, — has
really been as good for us as any contribution you
ought to make. For I took the liberty to read that
portion of your letter to three or four friends, and
their interest in the matter was sensibly quickened
and exalted by this evidence of the lively interest in
the matter taken by a country parson, far away in
England! So pray consider that you have already
helped us on, and we are truly grateful to you for
your generous proffer. There is, indeed, a strong
temptation to accept your kind offer in the fact that,
in the present state of exchanges, owing to our paper
currency not on a specie basis (one of the sad conse-
quences of our civil war), every pound sterling in

MT. 53.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 525

England, in normal times worth only from $4.90 to
$5.00, is worth nearly or quite $8.00, so that a con-
tribution of <£5 sterling really now counts here for
about forty dollars ! ! So you see how hard it is for
me to discourage your kind intentions. But I really
feel that the sum which I specified, as the condition
of my own gift to our university, is really quite sure,
though slower in coming than we had hoped.

As to the building for the herbarium, I have only
to state it goes on famously. It is considerably
enlarged in plan from what was at first contemplated,
and a favorable early spring has allowed of more pro-
gress than could have been expected at this season.

The generous donor of the building not only
adopted at once the larger plans as soon as suggested,
but himself proposed improvements and additions.

The building, the foundations of which are already
laid, in the most substantial manner, is 32 by 57
feet, and is connected with my private study in the
house I reside in by a neat conservatory 18 feet long,
which takes the place of the simple wooden corridor
at first intended. The whole will cost Mr. Thayer,
the donor, by the contracts, more than $11,000, and
is likely, by extras, to reach the round sum of $12,-
000. And all will be done before the summer is
over, we trust.

See how the expression of your interest to me has
led me on, to the neglect of everything else I want to
write about. ... I wish to say something about the
troubles in your Old World, which, with all its age
and wisdom, falls into " difficulties " hardly less grave
than ours. I hope poor brave Denmark will not be
crushed out of existence. There are English ques-
tions which we regard with much attention, ecclesias-

526 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1864,

tical and social questions, on which I would fain know
what you think. But I cannot write longer now.

Only as to our war, I beg you to believe that we
(the earnest thoughtful people and most around us,
according to their measure) have acted and are act-
ing from the highest sense of duty, — duty to our be-
loved country and to humanity ; and we keep the full
conviction that great and permanent good is to result.
Much of the good we see already, and more comes
near to realization every day. So we work and trust,
and suffer cheerfully. We only wish our views and
motives were better appreciated in general in the
country and by the people whose good opinion we
most value. But even the lack of that appreciation,
which is far from universal, is likely to do us good.
I am always sure of your thoughtful good wishes for
us. But I must break off.

Ever yours most sincerely, ASA GRAY.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, May 30, 1864.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — I have let your very
kind letter of 28th January lie on my desk a long time,
always expecting to write soon, but, having been ex-
tremely busy with various administrative matters and
college work since it reached me, the convenient
moment for writing to you has not arrived till now.
I inclose a note to my young friend and late col-
league, Professor Eliot, which I beg you to send to
the poste restante on arrival. I learn from his friends
here that he may be expected to be in Geneva about
the time this reaches you.

In my note I ask him to call upon you, as a friend
of mine. He will of course be unwilling to make any

JET. 53.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 527

demands upon your time or attention. But I should
like him to see you, and perhaps he might through
you pay his respects to the savans in his line, notably
to De la Rive. Having wife, etc., with him, and little
time, his visit will be transient. Eliot is a chemist
and physicist, a man of much promise, we think, and
a most gentlemanly man. He is a very trusty friend
of mine. He has passed the autumn and winter in
Paris, studying hard, and will soon return here,
bringing the latest news of you. He and his lady
companions are just such people as we should like you
to know America by.

I should say to you, moreover, that I gave to an-
other colleague of mine, Professor Cooke, a note to
you. He is a chemist and mineralogist, is full of re-
search and zeal, a most estimable man.

You know, perhaps, that I have made over (or am
to make over) all my herbarium and library to our
university, in consideration of a fireproof building
made to receive them, and a fund, of moderate extent,
raised for the permanent support. . . . During the
summer or early autumn, my collections will be trans-
ferred to this their permanent home, to my great relief.

It is probable that I shall continue to spend upon
these collections all my available means, and I hope
they will be of use in the future, as well as safe, which
they are not in my wooden house. My own donation
is reckoned in money value at about $ 20,000.

Charles Wright is expected home from Cuba soon,
when there will be a new and interesting distribu-
tion of his phaenogamous plants.

We trust that our civil war is in its last year, that
is, if we are victorious, as we hope to be. In that
case your American stocks will be all right again.

528 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1865,

Nearly all the little I possess is cheerfully put into
United States government stocks, where I am well
content it should be.

Small countries, which you prefer, would do very
well if all were small, but the few large, like England
and France, will domineer unpleasantly over the
smaller. Just look now at poor Denmark, which has
the misfortune to be small, and so is made to suffer !
All Scandinavia had best combine, and build up a
strong nation. Natural selection is hard upon the
weak ! However it may be in Europe, you must ex-
cuse us for endeavoring to prevent, while we may,
even at great cost, the establishment of a European
system on this side of the Atlantic ; so we must not
fail to put down the Confederacy. We shall, after
that, in a quiet way, make the French emperor very
uncomfortable in Mexico ; but we hope that country
may yet be a strong power, but not a French power.

Enough of politics ! And believe me to be, with
affectionate regard, Ever yours, ASA GKAY.

CAMBRIDGE, January 30, 1865.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE: . . . This very day, I
have received your envoi by post of the neat little
article on leaves of Fagus, which I had seen in Eng-
lish dress, and the copy of Heer's address. Many
thanks to you. I have received also, and thank you
much for it, the " Prodromus," XIV., I. I have this
evening read over Heer's address. It is, as you say,
capital. It interests me in its proof of the antiquity
of the present flora ; and I admit that he very neatly
puts the case between his view of the production of
our species out of the older ones, and that of Darwin.
Here it still rests : Darwin has the great advantage of

JET. 54.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 529

being able to assign a vera causa. Heer has the dis-
advantage of having no known cause to assign ; but
he shows that things do not appear to have proceeded
as Darwin's theory requires. It does seem as if there
were times of peculiar change as well as of great
stability. But were this time of change and that of
stability simultaneous for the species of a flora ? And
does Heer allow enough for the species which now
occur under many forms, — show great polymorphism.
I continually meet with these in the North American
flora ; in which the dying out of some forms, and their
replacing by others, which may well take place in
time, would, in effect, just give a change like that to
be accounted for. But I cannot say that these varie-
ties come in insensibly, very likely not.

Now, to speak of myself. My summer was much
frittered away ; the superintending of the new build-
ing for my herbarium just preventing any serious
study. The autumn was devoted to the removal and
rearrangement of plants and books, and to assisting
Charles Wright in the collation and distribution into
sets of his collections in Cuba for the last three years
past ; very full and interesting collections, and requir-
ing much care and labor, on account of this distribu-
tion being a continuation of former distributions. I
laid out into the sets every specimen with my own
hands, Mr. Wright adding the tickets and numbers.
It was an immense labor, and was finished only at the
close of the last day of the year. . . .

I mean to prepare for " Silliman's Journal " a brief
and simple notice of the edifice for my herbarium, so
I will not speak further of it here ; further than to
say that I am well satisfied, only I sadly need a cura-
tor!

530 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1865,

And now, I turn to your letter of September 29,
and ask your pardon for having so long neglected it.
Your letters, your reflections upon social and political,
as well as upon scientific questions, are always very
interesting and instructive to me. I regret that I can
render so little return in kind. . . .

As to our national troubles, the prospect brightens
that we shall end the rebellion and slavery before
long. God grant it.

Believe me to be, as ever, my dear De Candolle,
very faithfully yours, A. GRAY.

TO GEORGE EXGELMANN.

February 14, 1865.

. . . Wright is here, distributing and finishing up
his North Pacific Expedition Collection ; . . . will re-
turn to Cuba in a month or two, to take a year or two
more there, revisit some old parts and explore some
new; then I urge Hayti, but Wright seems rather
loth.

Rothrock — from northwestern Pennsylvania — is
a bright lively pupil of mine for last three or four
years, when not serving his country in the army,
where he has done good service as private in infantry,
and as captain in Pennsylvania cavalry, etc. He had
to leave his thesis partly unfinished. But the real
credit of all belongs to him. His father is M. D., and
he is now studying medicine, attending lectures at
Philadelphia. But botany is in him, and will prob-
ably come out. . . .

There, I believe this is about all. J. A. Lowell has
made a nice present of costly botanical books, of which
more anon.

^T. 54.] TO W. J. HOOKER. 531

.[March 18.]

. . . Rothrock is going with Kinnictlt this week, to
Northwestern America, Norton's Sound, etc., to ex-
plore on telegraph route close along the Arctic Circle.
Any pines there you want ? . . .

March 29.

. . . No, Mrs. Gray did not go to inauguration ball.
But she has had a good time. Her brother, the gen-
eral, took her from Fortress Monroe, where she went,
up to the front and close to rebel lines ; where she
had the honor of having a rebel shell thrown at her !

I expect her home again to-morrow.

No, I don't get a curator, and I want one sadly.
Yet it is as well Fendler did not come, as it might
have been difficult for me to pay him. He, however,
is just the man I want here, to take charge of her-
barium and garden. . . .

TO W. J. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, April 24, 1865.

Mr. Wright is about to return to Cuba, to have one
year more of exploration there, and especially to visit
Turquino, the highest mountain of the island, and
some other parts which are still promising.

He will now be able — as he is always most ready
— to attend to the gathering of seeds of palms, or
other seeds, or things you may want at Kew. He
has now some good and kind friends in the country,
and deserves them, for he is one of the most hearty,
single-minded, and disinterested persons I ever knew,
as well as an admirable collector; but being rather
rough in exterior, he does not like to come into con-
tact with official people, unless properly accredited.
But if armed with official instructions to British con-

532 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1865,

suls, etc., and so having the means of very promptly
turning over, without bother or uncertainty, whatever
he may collect for you, I have no doubt you may turn
him to excellent account. Perhaps, however, he will
not long remain in Cuba ; for there is a prospect of
getting him attached (nominally, without any emolu-
ment) to the United States consulate-general at Hayti,
so that he may explore the botany of that island, as
he has done that of Cuba. But I doubt if he will
keep in the field many years more, or do such hard
work as he has done in former years. I wish him to
explore Hayti, however, and then associate himself
with Grisebach in the production of a Flora Antil-
lana, or at least a Flora Cubensis, if Grisebach in-
clines to work longer at West Indian botany, after
having finished the critical enumeration of Cuban
plants (founded mainly on Wright's collections)
which he is now occupied with. . . .

It seems like old times to be writing to you. We
have the less occasion for direct correspondence of
late years, owing to my having such a capital corre-
spondent, as well as a capital friend, in Joseph. I
know not how I could get on without him. I look
with great satisfaction upon his splendid scientific
career, and feel that you must take great pride in it.
I rejoice to hear that you are so well and hearty, and
at work with vigor, comfort, and success upon the
" Synopsis Filicum."

Dr. Brewer l sends his regards. He goes this week to
New Haven (Yale College), to attend to the opening
of his work as professor of agriculture. I was run-
ning over his collections, naming and characterizing

1 William H. Brewer ; botanist of the survey of California ; pro-
fessor in the Sheffield Scientific School, New Haven.

JET. 54.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 533

the new things, and laying out a set for you of all you
could wish. But since spring opened, my college
work has been so pressing that all else has been in-
terrupted, perhaps will be in abeyance till near mid-
summer.

I must not fail to tell you that our good friend Dr.
Torrey sailed yesterday for California ! via the Isth-
mus, to return three or four months hence, perhaps
overland.

He is a much trusted officer of government, as assayer
of the United States assay office at New York, and
the secretary of the treasury, knowing that he needs
some respite and change, has arranged this trip for
him, upon business of the department, by no means of
an onerous character.

He has long wished to set eyes upon California,
and I am glad he has such a pleasant opportunity of
doing so.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

May 1, 1865.

I have long wished to communicate with you, but
it is long since I have written any but pressing let-
ters ; a large and ever-increasing scientific correspond-
ence and various business matters absorbing all my
leisure and powers, as the times and events also ab-
sorb our thoughts. You can imagine how deeply we
have felt, rejoiced, and suffered during the last month
or so.

Well, " treason has done its worst," and rebellion,
as an organized power, is essentially brought to an
end. Slavery is done away, and we have now the
task of establishing a new and better order of things
at the South, of replacing barbarous by civilized and

534 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1865,

free institutions. A heavy task, no doubt; but the
good Providence that has so wonderfully shaped our
ways and sustained us thus far, we humbly and con-
fidently rely on to carry our dear country through all
its trials.

I doubt if you will have in England a full concep-
tion of the profound impression which this last atro-
cious crime has made,1 filling the whole land with the
deepest and tenderest grief, like that of a personal
bereavement ; inexpressibly shocking, but never for a
moment bewildering the country nor deranging the
action of the government. The manner in which both
our victories and sorrows have affected the country is
most hopeful, and promises the best results. There
is much yet to do and to suffer, and there is need of
wisdom, patience, and sacrifice in the renovation of
our country, and the establishment of free institutions
throughout the South, involving as it does the com-
plete reconstruction of society there. But under
God's blessing, we expect full success in due time.

As to myself, I can say little now. I am quite
overworked at this season, but I hope that hereafter
a rearrangement of my work in the university may
bring some relief.

I am beginning to enjoy the advantage and comfort
of the establishment of my herbarium, and the build-
ing quite meets my expectations. The collections are
fast increasing ; faster than I can take care of them,
through the bounty of my scientific correspondents ;
while Mr. Lowell's donation of botanical books is of
the value of about <£300.

1 The assassination of President Lincoln.

^T. 55.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 535

November 16, 1865.

Now do not be startled at a letter from me written
the very evening of the day in which arrived your
pleasant favor of the 1st inst. For to-day I also re-
ceived the inclosed official letter, which has been lying,
I suppose, for want of your address. And so I send
it forward at gnce.

In fact, the fund raised for the support of the her-
barium (nearly $11,000) has been till very lately re-
tained in the hands of the gentleman who took charge
of raising it, in the form of a good investment, and
is now at length made over to the corporation of the
university in trust. Your <£5 I turned in at the time
when exchange was at the highest (i. e., our currency
most depreciated), so it figures as fifty dollars, —
quite a sum, — and for it, as for the rest of the capital,
we get, up to 1881, six per cent per annum in gold,
if the United States government lasts. And we now
feel confident enough of that.

Your letters are always very pleasant to us, and
that of to-day is very gratifying.

Yes, we, too, should not have said this was the
way in which we would have had slavery destroyed, —
by no means. We wished it by a slow process which
would have cost no life, injured no property, but ben-
efited all as it went on. But our misguided Southern
brethren would have it otherwise, and so it was.
And it is something to be glad of, after all, that it
was done in our day, and we think thoroughly. I take
a weekly newspaper, the " Nation," which is on the
plan of the "Spectator" and the "Saturday Ee-
view," etc., but we have few good paragraph-writers,
and our best writers will not write. But this paper
may interest you, at least in the letters of its corre-

536 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1865,

spondent traveling in the South. I post some num-
bers to your address, and I will send some more if
you care to see them. Otherwise the numbers are
thrown aside, for I do not keep them.

Even here we have the same sort of liking for
Palmerston which the mass of English have, and no
better reason to give for it ; and we lopk with a sort
of fascinated interest upon Gladstone, and expect to
see him premier before long, in a year or two, and we
wonder how he will get on in so critical a position as
he will be in. Goldwin Smith I met, but saw not very
much of. He was in very delicate health. Fraser I
did not see, though he was my father-in-law's guest,
and was very much liked by all. Both had troops of
friends. Mrs. Gray and I were in the country when
Fraser was at Mr. Loring's house on the shore.

The short space left on my sheet must be all devoted
to an earnest exhortation for you to follow your two
friends' example. Come over and see us, and make
our quiet house your home, from which you can travel
as much as you like and see the country in this inter-
esting phase. Pray think of it seriously. The expense
need not be great.

Mrs. Gray, with kindest remembrances, seconds my
request, and wishes it extended to Mrs. Church.

Cordially yours, ASA GBAY.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

May 15, 1865.

Your kind letter of the 19th ult. crossed a brief note
from me. I am too much distracted with work at this
season to write letters on our affairs, and if I once be-
gin, I should not know where to stop. You have always
been sympathizing and just, and I appreciate your

^T. 54.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 537

hearty congratulations on the success of our just en-
deavors. You have since had much more to rejoice
over, as well as to sorrow with us. But the noble
manner in which our country has borne itself should
give you real satisfaction. We appreciate, too, the
good feeling of England in its hearty grief at the
murder of Lincoln.

Don't talk about our " hating " you, nor suppose
that we want to rob you of Canada, for which nobody
cares.

We think we have been ill-used by you, when you
thought us weak and broken, and when we expected
better things. We have learned that we must be
strong to live in peace and comfort with England,
otherwise we should have to eat much dirt. But now
that we are on our feet again, all will go well, and
hatred will disappear. Indeed I see little of that.

I must look to the Plantago dimorphism, for, as you
say, these plants, fertilized by the wind, would gain
nothing by being dimorphic. No dimorphic species
grows very near here, nor can I now get seeds of
P. Virginica. Perhaps a good look at even dried
specimens, under your hints, may settle the matter.

I was exceedingly interested with the Lythrum
paper (but had no time to write a notice of it), and
I wait expectingly for your Climbing plants. You
are the very prince of investigators. We hope pres-
ently to make Mrs. Wedgewood's acquaintance.

July 24.

I am reading in snatches your admirable paper on
Climbing plants, — as yet only eighty-eight pages of it,
and am watching with great interest all the climbers
I have at hand. What a nice piece of work you have
made of it !

538 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1865,

I see you explain and illustrate at length the double
turn of a caught tendril. Is it not enough to say that,
with both ends fixed, if it shortens, say by the contrac-
tion of one side, it must by mechanical necessity turn
its coil different ways from a neutral point ?

Ere this, Mrs. Wedgewood should be back from
Canada, but I have not yet learned that she is so.
She was to let me know, and we would have a day on
the shore, where Mr. Loring lives in summer, — a
pretty bit of country. But it is now too late.

I wish she could have been here on Friday, when we
welcomed back our Harvard men who had been in
the war, — over five hundred of them, — and remem-
bered those who had died for their country. What
a day we had !

Jefferson Davis richly deserves to be hanged. We
are willing to leave the case in the hands of the gov-
ernment, who must take the responsibility. If I were
responsible, I would have him tried for treason (the
worst of crimes in a republic), convicted, sentenced to
death ; and then I think I should commute the penalty,
not out of any consideration for him, but from
policy, and for his more complete humiliation. The
only letters I have received expressing a desire to
hang him are from rebeldom itself, — from Alabama.
You see slavery is dead, dead, — an absolute unanimity
as to this. The revolted States will behave as badly
as they can, but they are so thoroughly whipped that
they can't stir, hand or foot, and we are disbanding
all our armies, — a corporal's guard is enough to hold
South Carolina. Seriously, there are difficult ques-
tions before us, but only one result is possible : the
South must be renovated, and Yankeefied.

Well, take good care of yourself, and let me know
that you are again in comfortable condition.

.ET.54.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 539

November 6.

I am very glad to hear from you, and to see half
your letter of October 19 in your own handwriting is
a good sign. I do hope you may get a comfortable
winter, and bring out your next volume without
breaking down.

I am pleased that you approve my abstract of
your Climber paper, but observe it was only of the
first part of your elaborate article. But as to the
praise you speak of, I am sure you pay me back with
interest.

I lately sent " Silliman " as much more — a large
part, indeed, extracts, which I could not shorten — on
the Tendril-bearing part of your paper. But Dana
sent me the proof, with all my long extracts omitted
for want of room. This reduced my article to incohe-
rence, so I begged all to be laid over for the January
number, when I hope to have room. I entertained
our social scientific club here with your article, and
all were greatly interested.

As to climbing roses, they are the strong summer
shoots, growing after flowering, which I find fre-
quently running their heads into dark corners of the
porch over my door, etc.

That is very curious, but quite what I looked for,
that dimorphous species self-fertilized should act like
hybrids (sterile or dwarf, etc.).

You must publish these facts in some brief arti-
cle.

" Stephens " (Stevens) was a New Yorker ; is
dead, years ago ; wrote most amusing and popular
travels ; in Egypt, as well. Central America was his
first and freshest book, but only amusing, as far as
I recollect.

540 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1865,

So Palmerston is gone. A fine specimen of a John
Bull he was, a very typical specimen. We Yankees
can't help admiring and liking him, though not for
any good he ever did us. But as for his successor, he
is a prig, a juiceless stick.

Don't you think Adams pays him back nicely for
proposing that they should sit down and rejoice to-
gether over the abolition of slavery ? Just see how
the world has moved. Turn back to Russell's lecture
to be read to Mr. Lincoln on occasion of his procla-
mation of emancipation !

Good-by, my dear, good fellow, and recover health
as fast as ever you can.

Yours affectionately, A. GRAY.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

CAMBRIDGE, June 28, 1865.

I am not going on so any more. A letter from me
you shall have. To be sure I have had none from you
since you sailed, but that is no matter. College and
garden and herbarium work together are enough to
drive one mad ; but now the college work begins to
hold up, and will soon be over. And as to herbarium,
Fendler has at length promised to come at the end of
the summer and help me — all winter at least, perhaps
longer. . . . •

Oh, yes ! I have yours of " Habana," May 9th,
with your shipboard studies on the variations of
Chapman and Grisebach. Well, sometimes one
wrong, sometimes the other ; sometimes a difference
as to who the author of a book is, — Michaux, whose
name is on the work, Richard, who wrote it incog.

I inclose my last from Grisebach. I am hoping to
arrange to have the catalogue of Cuba plants printed

^T. 54.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 541

or stereotyped at Gottingen, for the Smithsonian con-
tributions, and have written Grisebach to cultivate his
Spanish influence in the view of having that govern-
ment at length patronize effectively the bringing out
of a Flora Cubensis, by Wright and Grisebach.

You owe this letter partly to the general disturb-
ance of an uneasy conscience, and partly to a sudden
cold caught by carelessness in hot weather, which un-
fits me for more driving work. It is getting better.
I hope to write you again before I catch a new one.

July 4, Eighty-ninth Anniversary
of the United States.

Yours of June 9-21 reached me the very day that
I mailed my last missive to you, a good long letter.
Here is a fine letter from you, showing how busy and
active a man you are. Pretty well for a man of your
age to be shinning up palm-trees, and barking your
shins. Be careful ! Grisebach will take your criti-
cisms all right, no doubt. Yesterday I got the in-
closed from him. Very well. Is the Cuban M. Sau-
valle? . . .

Dr. Hooker has sent me a specimen of Welwitschia,
that queer African tree a foot high, many years old,
and with only two leaves, and those all in shreds. . . .

September 5.

. . . Dear, good Sir William Hooker is dead, — of
diphtheria, — on the 15th August, six weeks over
eighty years. I have no news yet from the family ;
but learn indirectly that Dr. Hooker is sick, " a
gastric affection." I do hope it is nothing danger-
ous. . . .

Dr. Gray wrote for the " American Journal of

542 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1865,

Science " 1 a memoir of his dear friend, Sir William
Hooker, in which, after describing his immense labors
in publications of so many different branches, he
says : —

" Our survey of what Sir William Hooker did for
science would be incomplete indeed if it were con-
fined to his published works, numerous and important
as they are, and the wise and efficient administration
through which, in a short space of twenty-four years,
a queen's flower and kitchen garden and pleasure
grounds have been transformed into an imperial bo-
tanical establishment of unrivaled interest and value.
Account should be taken of the spirit in which he
worked, of the researches and explorations he pro-
moted, of the aid and encouragement he extended to
his fellow-laborers, especially to young and rising bot-
anists, and of the means and appliances he gathered
for their use no less than his own.

" The single-mindedness with which he gave himself
to his scientific work, and the conscientiousness with
which he lived for science while he lived by it, were
above all praise. Eminently fitted to shine in society
... he never dissipated his time and energies in the
round of fashionable life, but ever avoided the social
prominence and worldly distractions which some sed-
ulously seek. . . .

" Nor was there in him the least manifestation of a
tendency to overshadow the science with his own im-
portance, or of indifference to its general advance-
ment. . . .

" To the wide circle of botanists in which he has
long filled so conspicuous a place, ... it is superflu-

1 Scientific Papers of Asa Gray, selected by C. S: Sargent, vol. ii. p.
321 ; also in American Journal Science and Arts, 2 ser., xli. p. 1 (1866).

JET. 55.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 543

ous to say that Sir William Hooker was one of the
most admirable of men, a model Christian gentle-
man."

Dr. Gray was appointed by Mr. Peabody himself a
member of the " Board of Trustees of the Peabody
Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology in
connection with Harvard University " when it was
founded in 1866. The Hon. Kobert C. Winthrop,
offering the resolutions in memory of Dr. Gray, at the
meeting in 1888, says, " From first to last, as I can
bear witness, he was a most faithful and valuable mem-
ber of our Board ; he was always at our meetings and
took an active interest in all our work. In 1874, on
the death of Jeffries Wyman, he voluntarily assumed
the curatorship of our Museum, and did excellent
service until the appointment of Professor Putnam."

TO B. W. CHURCH.

Sunday evening, February 25, 1866.

The number of the " Guardian " followed closely
upon your note of the 9th instant, and I have just
risen from the reading of your review of " Ecce
Homo." I knew nothing of this remarkable book,
beyond having seen the title. The notice in the
" Spectator " had escaped me, or rather, through a
change in the order of circulation in our book
club, that number of " Spectator " has not yet come
round to me. But I have to thank you heartily for
calling my attention to it, and especially for sending
me your own published and well-considered thoughts
of it. I greatly admire your analysis of the book,
and what I thus learn of it greatly impresses me. I
shall procure it without delay. I long, not only to
read it myself, but to put it into the hands of some

544 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1866,

friends. Such a production is timely, and will be
very useful. I hope the unknown writer will go on,
and as he goes on bring out, in the same fresh and
untechnical way, all the essentials of Christian belief.
Even if he does not, it will have great value as it is ;
and one will be curious to see how he can fail to raise
the superstructure which this foundation seems to be
designed to bear. I have long thought it very im-
portant that these subjects and the whole range of
connected questions need to be treated by a layman
from an unprofessional point of view, and quite apart
from theological language or conventional modes of
thought, say by a lawyer of a judicial turn of mind,
or by a physicist or naturalist, who understands and
feels the scientific difficulties, and the prevalent state
of mind, especially among scientific people, which
most divines persist in ignoring.

As soon as I get this book, and have attentively
read it, I shall probably wish to speak of it again to
you. If I find that it does not receive notice in this
country, I will see that attention is in some way
called to it. But I should think it likely to attract
attention in this country at once.

I have never thanked you for your letter of Decem-
ber 6, and for the hope, faint though it be, that you
may come over and see us some day. Pray don't give
over the thought, and some day you may chance to
bring it about. Cambridge is not a bad point from
which to sally forth in little explorations of American
life. . . .

We have much anxiety as to what we can do with
the South now we have got it ; and our President
Johnson is not a Lincoln. The breach which has just
occurred, and which may cause great trouble, has

^T. 55.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 545

been feared for some time ; and the blame is to be
assigned in part to the indiscretion and impractica-
bility of a few of the advanced Republican leaders.
We have survived worse scenes and darker prospects,
and shall surmount these troubles, I trust, in time.
But here things cannot always be done in the wisest
way. . . .

I imagine Earl Russell is safe for a year or two,
since no other minstry could well be found to replace
him. I should like, before long, to see Gladstone at
the helm.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

. . . The small parcel from Andersson 1 has come.
From him I have a nice oil copy of the portrait of
Linnaeus,2 painted by Madame Andersson.

Chapman 3 is here, excellent, loyal man all through ;
hates copperheads; is soon going back, so that you
can write him at Apalachicola for Junci. I have told
him what you are at with the genus.

March 20, 1866.

I have got Mann 4 well installed in Fendler's place,
and he is doing well, doing botanical work, too, on his
Sandwich Island plants ; will bring out an Enum. PL
Hawaiens. . . .

1 Johann Nils Andersson, 1821 ; professor of botany at Stock-
holm.

2 The portrait is in the herbarium of the Museum at Stockholm.

3 A. W. Chapman, b. 1809. Southampton, Mass. Residing at Apa-
lachicola, Fla. ; author of the Flora of the Southern States.

* Horace Mann, 1844r-1868. Made large collections in the Sand-
wich Islands. Wrote " Enumeration of Hawaiian Plants," Proceed-
ings American Academy, 1866.

546 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1866,

July 30.

Back to-day from a coasting voyage of four or five
days, I find yours of 25th instant. . . .

I have promised Clinton l I will go to Buffalo, to
the meeting reviving the American Association ; then
back home, to work, by 20th August.

About the Prussian war I think as you do. About
domestic matters I have not changed at all my mode
of thinking, as I know» But no time for these
things. . . .

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

May 19, 1866.

... I am so driven, so distracted. Bless your stars
you are not a professor, and president of Academy,
and have a*botanical garden and no gardener well
trained, and have students, and everything. My cor-
respondence all in arrears, and I am getting hardened
and don't care. . . .

You know I am always hard pressed and hard
worked at this season ; and this year it is far worse
than ever. Besides the bother of my classes, unusu-
ally bothering on the new arrangement, there is a new
gardener and a great deficit or rather deficiency of
funds to carry on the Garden, so I have to run that
concern pretty much myself. And, to crown all, my
little new French gardener, in his anxiety over the
work, has got into a state of nervous excitement, gets
no sleep nights, and if not soon relieved will, I fear,
become truly insane. ... If he continues half crazed,
you may expect me crazed next. Then there are
some special scientific students working up here, to
add to my botheration.

1 George W. Clinton, 1807-1885 ; author of A Catalogue of the
Native and Naturalized Plants of the City of Buffalo, and its vicinity.

^T. 55.] TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 547

So do not you " growl " at me now if you can help
it. ...

Alas, your Algae will be too late for dear Harvey.
He is dying of consumption, and we may hear of the
end any day. This is all at present from

Your old, worn-out friend, ASA GRAY.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

June 12, 1866.

We have as many asters as we can manage in Amer-
ica, and in the northern hemisphere of the Old World.
I pray you keep out at least Australian things if it be
possible.

I envy you more and more in being able to devote
yourself to systematic botany steadily, without the
distraction and sad consumption of time in profes-
sional and administrative duties and avocations, which
make havoc of the opportunities of most botanists,
and make their work which they are able to do far
less valuable than it would otherwise be. And you
work on with such quiet determination ! The lamented
losses of the last year or two have already made you
the Nestor, though I cannot think you old. I do hope
you have a fair number of good working years yet,
in which you can make your great experience tell to
utmost advantage. . . .

Much against my will, I have this summer to work
upon a new edition of my " Manual of the Northern
United States Botany," to which there is much to be
done. I shall not, however, so recast the work as I
should if I could defer it till I had blocked out the
outlines of a similar but much larger volume for all
the United States of America, and till your " Genera
Flora " had been carried much farther.

548 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1866,

What do you intend for this summer ? A Conti-
nental excursion ?

Ever, my dear Bentham, most cordially yours,

A. GRAY.

Dr. Farlow, in his memoir in " Proceedings of the
American Academy," speaks of the great interest which
Dr. Gray took at this time in observing tendrils and
climbing plants. The glass corridor then connecting
the herbarium and his study was very much occupied
by climbers, and notes were constantly taken of times of
, revolution, etc. He says, " Dr. Gray hardly ever
passed in or out of the herbarium without stroking
(patting them on the back by way of encouraging them,
it almost seemed) the tendrils of the climbers on the
walls and porch; and on the announcement that
a student had discovered another case of cross-fertil-
ization in the garden, he would rush out bare-headed
and breathless, like a schoolboy, to see the thing with
his own critical eyes."

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

May 7, 1866.

I am so delighted to get a letter from you, written
with your own hand, and to see that you can work
again a little.

I have no new facts about the influence of pollen
on fruits, nor about influence of grafts.

I have got a little plant of Bignonia capreolata
growing here. I punched a lot of holes into the shady
side of a lath ; the tendrils thrust their ends in ; also
into a cornice, but did not stay ; either the movement
of the stem or tendril, or, at length, the shortening
of the body of the tendril by coiling, which it does

&T. 55.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 549

promptly, brought all away. I have stuck some cot-
ton on to the lath at the proper height for the next
pair of tendrils. The tendril near by stuck fast at
once, and is beginning to develop the disks, and now
the tendril of the other leaf has bent abruptly round,
and seized the cotton with avidity. Are there any
new observations I can make ?

The Fenian scare, we have supposed here, was
mainly a plan of certain rogues here to fleece their poor
countrymen and women, poor servants and working-
men ! Nothing more could come of it. But I sadly
fear many here have enjoyed the trouble it has given
and the alarm it has excited, especially among our
neighbors in New Brunswick, who rather enjoyed our
woes two or three years ago.

Yes, slavery is thoroughly done for. We have a
bad set to deal with at the South ; and holding wolf
by the ears is no pleasant nor hopeful occupation, as
the temper of the wolf does not improve under the
holding. But we shall jangle out of the difficulty in
time, even with such a crooked character as our Pres-
ident to deal with also.

Bring out the book on Variation soon.

July3.

... So there is war on the Continent; really a
war " for empire," as Lord Russell said our war was.
Now our war was a simple necessity ; this Continental
one a crime, in which all parties participate. I wish,
but do not expect, Prussia to be crushed as one result.
I wish all her coast could be annexed to Denmark !
However, it is no affair of ours, being on the other
side of the Atlantic. And when a nation can get
strength and power by robbery, it will be likely to
rob.

550 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1866,

August 7.

. . . You should study Wyman's observations in
his own papers. He is always careful to keep his in-
ferences close to his facts, and is as good an experi-
menter, I judge, as he is an observer. He has a new
series of observations to publish. I think that he has
not at all pronounced in favor of spontaneous genera-
tion, but I will bet on his experiments against Pas-
teur, any day.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

November 23.

You may well complain that I neglect you. But —

1. I had, till now, nothing special to write.

2. I have been daily expecting to hear from Grise-
bach, and have sheets to send you, or the copies via
Westermann. But not a bit of it yet. The con-
quest of Hanover by the Prussians seems to have
annihilated Grisebach.

3. I have been, am so — busy is not the word for it.
I can't think of any to express it. I suppose that I
have now lying by me more than fifty unanswered
letters, though I keep answering the most pressing as
fast nearly as they come in. But the rest get neg-
lected, inevitably. I read your letters and follow
your work in Cuba with interest. I want you to get
all the plants you can (but I see not that you can
exhaust Cuba), and then come and settle down here,
and work up, as you only can, a nice Flora Cubana.
That you are bound to do, just as I am to do the
Flora of North America. I see some faint prospect
that I may yet, and before very, long, be able to sit
down to it. But you and I are bound to do these two
things yet ! . . .

^T. 56.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 551

The seeds I put loose in this sheet are Cinchona
officinalis. Get the tree introduced into your cooler
region, that is, the Caffetals of east Cuba, and the
tree will be commercially important in time, and you
/ will be a benefactor of your species. Enough for
once. Ever your old friend, A. GRAY.

TO GEOKGE ENGELMANN.

November 20, 1866.

DEAR ENGELMANN, — Yes, I have a heap of un-
answered letters from you. But I have not one mo-
ment of time.

I have copy of " Manual " in printer's hands up to
Composite, and am only now two days ahead ; have
been only two hours ahead day after day ! ! It is
awful ! So much other work too ! . . .

If I could get five hundred to one thousand more a
year I would at once resign professorship and sal-
ary. . . .

I am well, never more hearty ; but worked like a
coach-horse. I have got my fund raised for the Gar-
den : small, but we have now clear $2,500 or $2,600 a
year for Garden.

February 27, 1867.

How much I am indebted to you! No one else
who undertakes to help me ever makes out much, at
least to save me time and trouble. . . .

I have not time to write details of the little I know
about the National Academy. But I have seen
enough to make it clear that I should not be taking
any more responsibility about it. So last month I
sent my resignation. They have put me on the list
of Honorary Members. The American Academy is

552 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1867,

as much as I want to attend to, and I do my duty
to society in looking well after that. . . .

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

September 10, 1866.

. . . The war near you was sharp and quick. Swit-
zerland is as fortunately placed as any small nation
can be, when surrounded by strong ones ; but you see
that in this world only strength can be relied on. See
what indignity small and weak nations have to suffer.
I trust present peace may last to consolidate a new
Germany. But if not, you may have to dread a more
general upturning on the Continent.

October 21, 1867.

. . . Your analysis of the whole subject of rules
in nomenclature I think is sound and lawyer-like, or
rather judicial, as well as judicious. There are dan-
gers and inconveniences on every side, and good sense
and discretion are needed in the application of these
as of all rules. . . .

Very faithfully yours, ASA GRAY.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

January 21, 1867.

MY DEAK BENTHAM, — Many thanks for your
kind remembrance of us in your letter at the end of
the year, which reached me only three or four days
ago. I avail myself of the first foreign post since to
return, with Mrs. Gray's love, our heartiest good
wishes to Mrs. Bentham and yourself, and I trust you
will be able to keep up yet, for a good many precious
years, the steady botanical work which you make so
telling. . . .

JET. 56.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 553

I have no doubt of the full and entire correctness
of the principles you work on ; and the Kew Floras
and the "Genera Plantarum" will more than any-
thing else determine the public botanical opinion and
mode of working for the next generation. But I sus-
pect that there will remain after all a great many
monotypic genera (consider how many of the most dis-
tinct genera are so, or nearly so) ; and I imagine it is
best to work without prejudice for or against them.

I dare promise I shall be satisfied with all you
have done in Composite. As to UmbelliferaB, I wish
you joy of the job, and do hope you will reduce the
genera twenty per cent at least. I never could take
the least satisfaction in them. I never could collate
our Umbellif era3 with European genera, and I have no
clear conception of more than half a dozen of our
genera. . . .

Ever, dear Bentham, yours most cordially,

A. GKAY.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

CAMBRIDGE, March 26, 1867.

This is to acknowledge yours of February 28.

You see I have* printed your queries 1 privately
(fifty copies), as the best way of putting them where
useful answers may be expected. Most of them will
go into the hands of agents of the Freedmen's
Bureau, etc. Others to persons I or Wyman may
know and rely on. I wish I had had them sooner.
My crony Wyman has been two months in Florida,
but will be home again before I could send to him.

I did not write the article in the "Nation" on
Popular Lecturing, though it contains so many things

1 A set of questions on expression, etc.

554 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1867,

I have said over and over that it startled me. Then
it hits so many nails square on the head that I should
think it could be written only in Cambridge or here-
abouts.

It is generally supposed to be written by a person in
New York, but I suspect a person near by here, —
only suspect. . . .

Yes, Magnolia seeds hang out awhile in autumn,
finally stretch and break the threads of spiral vessels.
Whether birds eat them I don't know. They look
enticing and have a pulpy coat, are bitter and spicy.

Shall I send you more of these circulars ?

I shall send to Indian people too.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

AprU 2, 1867.

I sent your twenty dollars to aid the subscription for
the starving Southerners. There have been handsome
sums raised for them in the Northern States. But
I am afraid you must get most imperfect and one-
sided statements of the doings of Congress by the tone
of your letters, and decidedly need enlightenment. It
is the President, not Congress, that needs to learn the
Constitution and the laws of tlie land. And your
Southern loyal friends, if you could get voice of them,
would beg Congress to take even more urgent steps
for their protection and defense by reconstruction.
However, things seem to be going on now pretty satis-
factorily. The President is sinking into his deserved
insignificance, and the leading rebels are coming out
decidedly more sensibly than many of their professed
Northern friends. And we hope, therefore, that they
may begin to give some fair chance to the loyal men
of the South to be heard and to get their rights, which

^ST.56.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 555

have been indeed shamefully trampled upon by the
President and the dominant party at the South. . . .

I have not time to answer all your interesting botan-
ical notes, and can only thank you for them. I hope
you will continue to keep well.

Our spring is late and wet. There is still quite a
covering of snow in the garden, and we have had
a deal of it in the winter, and wretched walking and
getting about in every way. Happy you, in the
tropics.

You ask who Austin l is. He was an old protege
of Dr. Torrey ; lives now in New Jersey, and studies
Lemnaceae and Hepaticae.

. . . You will be more delighted than I am to know
that the Democrats have probably carried Connecti-
cut. But I am not much the contrary; for the Re-
publicans are too many in Congress for their own
good, or ours, and it secures the defeat of Barnum
for Congress ; as it should be. ...

April 8.

I have been having a Sunday's work over your
plants.

It grieves my heart and will grieve yours badly
when I tell you that your boxes were put under a
cargo of wet sugar, which drained into them, and
have ruined the collection.

... As to specimens to dispose of, say only one
half or one third of the whole mass is left fit for
it. Oh dear ! God grant you patience ! Will you
have the courage to set to work over again ?

I will try next to tell you what is worst.

Ever your disconsolate, A. GRAY.

1 Coe F. Austin, 1832-1880; especially devoted to the study of
Hepaticse.

556 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1867,

TO WILLIAM M. CANBY. l

July 8, 1867.

MY DEAR CANBY, ... I am charmed with what you
say of Dionsea, can confirm some of it, and believe all
the rest. Never mind the anatomy of the leaf now —
little promise from that; but do go on with experi-
ments on feeding, and record them carefully, and pub-
lish when ready.

I am going to send your letter to Darwin, who will
be delighted, and will probably suggest experiments.
He has an eminently suggestive mind.

I suppose you know the slow way Drosera rotundi-
folia catches flies, doubtless for same purpose, though
it can absorb the juices only through its bristles. I
always thought it took in only the gases disengaged
by putrefaction.

If you don't know the trick of Drosera, which you
should study, too, I will tell you, if you write to me at
Sauquoit, Oneida County, New York.

SAUQUOIT, N. Y., July 17.

I have here yours of 13th.

If on leaf of Drosera rotundif olia, in good healthy
condition, you put a small fly — somewhat crippled
is surer — the sticky pellucid glands will hold him
fast. t By degrees (I have never seen it under ten or
twelve hours at least) some of the bristles outside,
which have not touched the fly, will turn inward and
bring their sticky tip against the insect ; later still
others and more external ones turn in, and so the fly
is bound by many liliputian bands. As it putrefies, I
wonder if the leaf merely takes its chance of getting
some of the disengaged gases, or whether it reabsorbs

1 William M. Canby, of Wilmington, Delaware.

^T. 56.] C. DARWIN TO A. GRAY. 557

the clear fluid of the glands, charged now with some
animal matter.

In transplanting some Drosera into a pan with wet
moss, the older leaves may not work well ; but the new
ones developed soon will do better. Pray experiment
upon this and Dionaea. I wonder if there ever were
series of intermediate states between the inefficient
Drosera and the expert Diona3a. . . .

August 21.

... I inclose half a letter which came from Darwin
this morning. I hope you will go on with work on
Diona3a. . . .

C. DARWIN TO A. GRAY.
(Half of letter referred to above.)

DOWK, BROMLEY, KENT, August 8.

MY DEAR GRAY, — I have been glad to see Mr.
Canby's interesting letter on Dionaea, and I thank you
for sending it ; but unfortunately the facts are not new
to me. Several years ago I observed the secretion of
the " gastric juices " and the close adhesion of the
two sides of the leaf when a fly was caught. I keep
my notes in such an odd fashion that it would take me
some time to find them. I am almost sure I ascer-
tained the acid reaction of the secretion and its anti-
septic power, but I cannot remember whether in this,
or in analogous cases, I found its subsequent reabsorp-
tion. This letter fires me up to complete and publish
on Drosera, Dionaea, etc., but when I shall get time
I know not. I am working like a slave to complete
my book.

558 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1867,

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

July 6, 1867.

. . . Well, I have been free from much college work
for ten days, and am quite free after Wednesday
morning.

I seem as well as possible, bright and clear, and
should be content just to visit my old mother and come
right back to work on Calif ornian plants, which I have
been looking at for a few days. But my wife says I
shall take four weeks, and on being weighed I find
that my former 140-143 Ibs. is reduced to 131.

So I must waste time and money in traveling, which
I am reconciled to, as Mrs. Gray needs it much.

From Oneida County, New York, I am going
(with Mrs. G.) to drive into northwest and central
Pennsylvania and then visit a sister in Michigan. Mrs.
Gray insists that we must go to Chicago, which she
wishes to see, though I do not. I hate towns, especially
new ones. Only think how near I shall be to
you !

So you saw old Bigelow, «who is quite delighted
with Shaw's grounds, etc.

Torrey has just made me a little visit. Good, kind
soul he is. ...

August 15.

We got home three days ago. Hot weather broke
down my wife's courage, as I feared, and we went no
farther west than Tecumseh, Michigan ; made a short
visit to Sullivant at Columbus, then meandered through
west and north of Pennsylvania to central New York
again, and hearing of Mrs. Gray's father's illness
came rapidly home. . . .

I am very well ; have put on three pounds' weight.

^T. 56.] TO GEORGE BE NTH AM. 559

We must go and see you and all the great West at
some proper season, spring or late fall. . . .

I germinated for two years Nelumbium, but soon
lose them. If you can, send me some seeds this fall
to try once more. . . .

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

October 14, 1867.

. . . Yes, I did receive your address,1 read it hastily,
and sent it to " Silliman's Journal " to be reprinted.
It was too late for the September number, but will be
the leading article in the November number. I have
read a proof and am daily expecting a printed sheet,
which I can send to you, with one or two little remarks.
I was exceedingly pleased with it ; so is Professor
Henry. We both wondered how you could have so
exactly hit not one, but several nails on the head, as
you have done. It will be much read here, and will be
truly useful.

You remind me that I ought to have criticised your
working of Australian Composite. The trouble is,
that, except North American genera, these things have
long been quite out of my head. It will be unsafe
for me to approve or otherwise till I can get at work
a little over them, which it is not likely I can at pres-
ent. I just fancy that in your dislike of monotypic
genera — which you abhor as nature does a vacuum —
you may have lumped up the angiantheous genera
rather too much.

I am straining every nerve to get into a position to
get at a synopsis of North American plants, and my
present work upon Bolander's collection is a part of

1 Presidential address by George Bentham, meeting of the Lin-
nsean Society, May 24, 1867.

560 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1867,

the preparation. But I cannot lay the corner-stone
till college work is over, next July. Meanwhile I
want suggestions as to form, and how to condense
references to the utmost and crowd a page, yet leav-
ing it clear and comely. When I have got the thing
blocked out, and have worked up a part, then Mrs.
G. and I hope to go over and see you, and to stay a
good long while. Adieu, till next week.

Ever yours, A. GKAY.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

December 5, 1867.

Before the year closes I mean you shall have a note
from me, to renew on my part an intercourse which
has been interrupted through negligence of mine. I
find I get more and more overloaded as I grow older,
and I dare say you find it the same. Still we must
exchange a word now and then.

I have to tell you of the severe loss we have had in
the death, in October, of Mrs. Gray's good and kind
father, Mr. Loring. He and my wife were very much
to each other, and in former years had been unusually
intimate companions ; and his death at seventy-three,
quite unexpected till within a few weeks of the event,
is very much felt. Mrs. Gray's own health, too, is
but poor, though on the whole I trust it is becoming
firmer.

If you see your friend Mr. Fraser (whom I, un-
fortunately, did not) you may learn from him what
manner of man Mr. Loring was. I wish I knew him,
to say to him how highly we value a letter he lately
addressed to Mrs. Loring, and which I read yester-
day, — so full of sympathy and just appreciation.

JET, 57.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 561

Mr. Fraser, you may be sure, is very much thought
of here.

I hope that Dr. Hooker, of Kew, has sent on to you
the numbers of the " Nation," which I have for a
year or more regularly posted to him, originally re-
questing he should do so. But it is quite likely the
busy man has forgotten all about it.

For myself, I have passed my fifty-seventh anni-
versary, in firm health, feeling my age only in a
treacherous memory — as respects names, etc., not as
to events or friends. The memory of our delightful
visit to Oxford is ever fresh.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

February 24, 1868.

The other evening here I discoursed at our private
club, by giving them an abstract of the chapters on
Inheritance and Pangenesis ; the former for Professor
Bowen's benefit. He and Agassiz took it all very
well ; and pangenesis seemed to strike all of us as
being as good an hypothesis as one can now make. . . .

On inside of leaf of Dionaea see the copious glands
for secreting gastric juice.

... I do not wonder at your book 1 being taken up
at once, by the great numbers of people who need and
understand it, and the thousands who jump at any-
thing written by so notorious a writer as you are. The
" Origin " will sell anything ; and I believe people will
get more for their money in this book than in even
that, if they care for facts, which generally they do
not.

1 The Variation of Plants and Animals under Domestication, by
Charles Darwin : London, 1868. Republished by American Agri-
culturist : New York.

562 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1868,

May 25.

I want to write you a long letter, but the time is not
to be had now. Many thanks for yours of May 8.

My notice of your book in the " Nation " was not
intended to have anything in it, except for the
groundlings ; was only to make the book known and
understood, a light affair.

My preface was written at the publishers' request
simply because yours had not come. The fellows put
in both. The edition is not very nicely printed.
Judging from the newspaper notices I think the book
is taking famously. That agricultural newspaper is
taken by the hundred thousand in the country. As
to close of my article, to match close of your book, —
you see plainly I was put on the defense by your
reference to an old hazardous remark of mine. I
found your stone-house argument unanswerable in sub-
stance (for the notion of design must after all rest
mostly on faith, and on accumulation of adaptations,
etc.) ; so all I could do was to find a vulnerable spot
in the shaping of it, fire my little shot, and run away
in the smoke.

Of course I understand your argument perfectly,
and feel the weight of it.

We were intensely amused at the Edinburgh man,
who suggests that I could easily smash you into little
pieces ! I wish he may live to see it done !

I am half dead with drudgery, half of it at least
for other people ; see no relief but to break up, and
run over, with wife, who needs a change, to your side
of the water for a good long while.

JET. 57.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 563

TO R. W. CHURCH.

June 22, 1868.

I have to send you — in a hasty line — my best
thanks for remembering me so kindly : 1. In your
letter of January 17, which I am so tardy in respond-
ing to.

2. The copy of Hooker edited by you, which I was
pleased to have.

3. Your sermon at St. Mary's, which Mrs. Gray
and I both read with much interest. I admired your
handling of an important topic, and the solid strength
which comes from moderation of statement. It re-
minded me much of one of our best sermonizers here,
who, though a good deal heterodox (I am sorry to
say), treats such subjects more impressively than any
one else and much in that way, his guarded under-
statements or concessions telling heavily in the argu-
ment.

I read and think of nothing but botany of late,
having been too hard pressed for a long while. But
last Sunday I read with interest the latter part of Mr.
Gladstone's essay on " Ecce Homo."

There is something which seems to me very ad-
mirable and attachable about Gladstone. I wonder
if his church friends and supporters will mostly drop
him at the coming struggle, for his action looking to
the disestablishment of the Irish church.

But the gist of my present note is to say, that I
have got a year's leave of absence, and Mrs. Gray
and I expect to cross over to England in two months.

I find I must break up a set of engagements and
of work, mainly for others, which absorbs too much
of my time, and Mrs. Gray's health makes me anxious
to avoid another winter here, at present. The change

564 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1868.

will be good for us both. We mean to pass the whole
autumn in England, mostly at Kew, and most of the
winter in Italy and perhaps Egypt, where Mrs. Lor-
ing, now on the Continent (tell Mr. Fraser), expects
to be, and we may be able to join the party, in a
climate which may be advantageous after such a win-
ter as our last. Very sincerely yours,

ASA GRAY.

CHAPTER VII.

TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA.

1868-1880.

DR. GRAY made his fifth journey to Europe in the
fall of 1868. He landed in September, and went at
once to Kew, where he remained most of the time at
work in the herbarium until November. He made a
short round of visits, first to Mr. Church, who was
then rector of Whatley, a village of Somersetshire,
where, with Mrs. Gray, he enjoyed to the full his stay
in one of the loveliest parts of rural England. They
went also to Down to pay a visit to Darwin, and
with them went Dr. and Mrs. Hooker, with their two
eldest children, and Professor Tyndall. Those were
days never to be forgotten. In November, Dr. and
Mrs. Gray joined some family friends in Paris, with
whom they went to Egypt and passed the winter on
the Nile, taking the longest vacation, Dr. Gray said,
he had ever enjoyed. Upon their return they passed
through Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, where old
botanical acquaintances were renewed, and some per-
sons seen whom he had known only by correspond-
ence. In England he again worked at Kew, and
repeated the visits at Whatley and Down, sailing for
America, November 9, 1869.

566 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1868,

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.
DOWN, BROMLEY, KENT, October 29, 1868.

In all these busy days I have neglected your kind
letter of October 6, partly in the expectation that I
might be able to announce to you definitely the time
we should reach Paris. I can even now only say that
we expect to be there between the 15th and the 20th
of November, and I think we shall have just about
those days (15—20) in Paris. If we can meet, very
pleasant it will be ; but I dare hardly expect it. My
own and Mrs. Gray's parcels for you shall be left at
Masson's in case we do not see you. I am making,
with Mrs. Gray, a pleasant week of holiday, most of
it here with Mr. Darwin, whose health just now is,
for him, remarkably good.

I mean to keep you apprised of our movements ;
and we may, by some nice adjustments, meet in Ger-
many. At least, and best of all, in Switzerland, which
we shall be likely to reach at midsummer. But I
have matured no plans for anything beyond the winter.

... I should like to visit Montpellier and to see
Planchon, but we shall, when we reach the Mediter-
ranean, be attached to a party, time will be short, and
our movements no longer free.

Bentham is working at Kew with his accustomed
regularity and diligence. Hooker's time is much
occupied with matters of administration. . . .

It must be a great satisfaction to you, that your
son not only takes to botany, but shows so great talent.
I hope the line may not fail, but that De Candolle
botanists may flourish in the next century as they have
in the nineteenth. . . .

The death of Horace Mann, mentioned in the next

J5T.58.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 567

letter, Dr. Gray felt as a great personal loss, as well
as a loss to science. He was a young man of much
promise, and he felt on leaving home that, in putting
him in charge of the herbarium and of the college
classes, he could not have made any arrangement more
promising and satisfactory. He had counted much on
his future help as assistant, and anticipated that he
would become a very valuable aid in carrying on his
work, for he had patience, conscientiousness, and
steady diligence. Mr. Mann's lungs were weak, and
his health required care, but nothing of immediate
danger was feared. But consumption developed rap-
idly, and he died after a few weeks' illness.

Charles Wright was also working at Cambridge,
and took charge of the herbarium and garden during
Dr. Gray's absence.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.
HYERES, EAST OF TOULON, November 29, 1868.

I had yesterday at Marseilles a letter from Mrs.
Mann, conveying the sad intelligence of her son's
death. Very sad it is. ...

My heart bleeds for poor Mrs. Mann, who was
wrapped up in Horace, and who feels it as the greatest
of disappointments. To me, also, it is a very great
disappointment of long-cherished hopes.

I expect to find letters at Alexandria when we reach
there. We sail from Marseilles a week hence, going
meanwhile to see some of this famous shore further
east. . . .

CAIBO, December 16, 1868.

Thank you heartily for your letter of November 13.
I am here learning some subtropical botany, seeing

568 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1868,

trees growing which you have in Cuba, etc., Parkin-
sonia, Schinus molle, Carob, etc. Off up the Nile to-
morrow. . . .

In brief, I want to retain you permanently as my
fidus Achates. You are to have supreme control of
the Garden. When I get home we will see what can
be done. You will have to cut off Cuba till then, but
can work at Flora Cubensis a good deal of the time.
As far as my means can go, you shall be made as com-
fortable as possible. . . .

Arrangements were made to have H. sweep and
keep clean the herbarium, and Mrs. L. to scrub when
needed. I fear the herbarium may have been left to
get dusty and untidy. Please take it in hand ; ask L.
as to getting H., or some one, to sweep regularly ; let
no dusty work that can be helped be done in the large
herbarium room. Keep coal-ashes dust from the fire
from getting in, etc. Spare no expense and pains to
keep down dust and dirt. . . .

As to dampness in herbarium, look out according
to your judgment. Air occasionally by leaving open
doors of cabinets when a good fire is on, or a dry
day out. The north corner of the herbarium is the
only place that dampness gathers in, except the shelves
next the floors. Well, do the best you can. Good-
by

TO JOHN TORREY.

ON BOARD THE STEAMER POONAH,

MARSEILLES HARBOR, December 5, 1868.
We started from Paris a few days before the rest,
and before Charles Loring had arrived. We changed
the cold north for the bland south in one night, going
from Paris to Avignon, where I had the pleasure of
showing J. olive groves, old walled towns, and all sorts

MT. 58.] TO JOHN TORREY. 569

of mediaeval things ; then at Nimes I introduced her
to the old Roman world in the well-preserved amphi-
theatre and the beautiful temple called Maison Carree,
ruins of temples, baths, pavements, and all that, — a
charming place, of which I had very pleasant memo-
ries almost thirty years old. Then, to revive old
memories, we went on to Montpellier ; had a nice day
with Martins 1 and Planchon 2 (whose photographs,
as well as Brongniart's, I have for you) ; then we came
on via Aries to Marseilles, within an hour of the rest of
the party coming direct from Paris. They all sailed
next day ; we waited a week, so as to get a view of this
interesting shore, which we should not be likely ever to
visit again. So we went first to Hyeres, where we first
saw orange groves laden with fruit and tall date-palms,
and eucalyptus-trees forty feet high, and all such nice
things ; roses by the ten thousand in hedges. . . .
Toward evening on the third day, we took a carriage,
drove through Mentone along the coast road to Mo-
naco ; passing by the modern and gaming district, we
went into the old fortified town to lodge ; went round
the ramparts in the morning, saw more agaves than
ever before, and the steep rock 300 feet high covered
with opuntias, having stems as thick as my leg, not to
say my body. Next morning took railroad through
Nice to Antibes ; visited M. Thuret,3 the botanist, by
appointment ; a most charming man, a French Protest-

1 Charles Frederic Martins, M. D., 1806-1889 ; professor of botany
and director of the Botanic Garden at Montpellier.

2 Jules Emile Planchon, 1823-1888; professor at Montpellier;
author of important works on Systematic Botany and Morphology.
Studied Phylloxera.

3 Gustave Thuret, 1810-1875. " One of the best investigators of
Algae ; established a remarkable botanical garden at Antibes "
[A. G.].

570 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

ant ; his carriage waited for us at the station ; a de-
lightful place, which made us crazy with delight, 3,000
or more species of the most interesting plants growing
in the open air, where frost is seldom seen ; plants and
trees which starve in conservatories here grow to vast
size ; all kinds of things I never saw growing anyhow
before ! Roses by the thousand. Oh, what a delight-
ful time ! But after a nice dejeuner at two o'clock, we
were off soon after three to the station, and so reached
Marseilles at nine P. M. yesterday.

I have left no room to speak of the most sad loss
of Mann, very sad. How it will affect me I cannot
tell now, but suppose it will bring us home next
faU.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

ON THE NILE, BETWEEN
GIRGEH AND DENDERA, January 3,

It is only by an effort of memory that I can recall
that seemingly far distant week, with which my nar-
rative must commence, when we went, on Monday, to
Nice by railway, and on Tuesday (taking my college
colleague, Professor Lovering), by a carriage over the
finest part of the Corniche road to Mentone, and, drop-
ping our companion there, three miles further to Pa-
lazzo Orengo, just within the present Italian frontier ;
a house several hundred years old, which Mr. Hanbury,
our host, has recently restored and is beautifying. It
is near the base of a steep acclivity, projecting a little
into the sea and commanding a view of Mentone and
Monaco with the mountains behind and westward far
beyond them . on the one side, Ventimiglia and Bor-
dighera on the other, and seaward on rare occasions
giving a view of the mountains of Corsica, over a hun-

^T. 58.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 571

dred miles distant. One of those rare occasions, well-
timed for us, we enjoyed the next morning before
sunrise, and again in the afternoon. All that day
(Wednesday) we enjoyed the place and its surround-
ings, and the pleasant society of Mr. and Mrs. Hanbury.
They are much liked by the people of the hamlet and
district, for whom they are doing a great deal, estab-
lishing a school for girls, with the hearty cooperation
of the cure. Wednesday, after dinner, this good-will
of the neighborhood was shown in a truly Italian way.
The advocate of Ventimiglia, having some business
relative to land to transact with Mr. Hanbury, stayed
to dinner, and then asked permission to read and
present a poem which he had composed in compliment
to Mrs. (Catherine) Hanbury ; it being St. Catherine's
Day. It was delivered with Italian grace and fervor,
and an Italian lady, now one of the family, told us
that the versification was very choice. Thursday, the
grounds and house were thrown open, and a collation
provided for all the English people at Mentone that
Mr. Moggridge chose to conduct. Earlier I walked
over to Mentone to make some calls, especially upon
young Moggridge,1 whom you know, and who, I am
sorry to say, had been seriously ill, and was still con-
fined to his bed. I found him busy over the flowers
and plants which his most attentive and energetic
father brings to him from all the mountains around,
cheerful and happy, but I fear he will hardly be able
to complete his illustrations of the botany of Men-
tone. Late in the afternoon, after enjoying the picnic,
a carriage took us to Mentone, and thence to Monaco,

1 John Traherne Moggridge, 1842-1874 ; a keen naturalist. Wrote
on the botany of Mentone, and on harvesting ants and trap-door
spiders.

572 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

where we slept, in order that the next day might
not be too fatiguing to Mrs. G. Friday, the railway,
newly completed along the shore to Monaco, took us
through Villa Franca to Nice, and to Antibes, where
I had arranged to have some hours with M. Thuret (a
charming man and excellent botanist) and his incom-
parable garden. . . . The only thing lacking was the
magnificent view of the snowy Maritime Alps (of
which I saw a sketch made by young Moggridge)
which the house commands in good weather, but which
was hidden from us by clouds and mist. We reached
Marseilles and our hotel in the evening ; had Satur-
day for our preparations, and at evening went on
board the Poonah, which was to start for Alexandria
early Sunday morning. I need not say anything
about the scenery of the region we traversed, nor of
the pleasure of first seeing date-palms and eucalypti,
etc., and orange and lemon trees in groves, laden with
blossom and fruit, and long hedges of roses in full
bloom in December.

. . . Fine weather and smooth water from Sunday
to Thursday evening, especially during the long and
lovely day which opened with Stromboli and the other
Lipari Islands directly before us, and the snowy
summit of Etna in the distance, and closed with the
sun setting behind the southern base of Etna, and an
inverted pyramid of smoke resting on its summit.
The day was perfect, and, not to speak of anything
else, Etna was in full view all day long, except when
hidden for an hour by the cliffs behind Messina. The
latter end of the voyage was uncomfortable enough,
the sea very heavy, and glad we were to land at Alex-
andria, Saturday noon, December 12, a showery day,
the streets deep with mud and filth. Early Sunday

JET. 58.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 573

morning we were off by rail for Cairo, where we
joined the main body, awaiting our arrival, and I had
time for the English service in the afternoon, a bare
dozen of people ; but Mrs. L. said the congregation
was very much larger in the morning. Monday to
Friday we lived " Arabian Nights " in Cairo. If I
let my pen run on my story might be only shorter
than the thousand and one of the volume aforesaid.

On Friday, all being ready, we took to our boats,
in which we have now been domiciled so long, seem-
ingly, that events of October and November in Eng-
land are dimly remembered, as if they .belonged to
another " dynasty." There are nine of us, in two
boats. The first and larger one, in which our table is
spread, the Ibis, accommodates all the ladies and my-
self, the only married man of the company. . . . The
bow is occupied by the crew, and at the very prow a
simple cooking-affair, from which excellent dinners of
four courses, breakfasts, etc., are produced in some
wonderful way by our Arab cook and his assistant.
The smaller boat, the Undine, gives ample quarters to
the three single men, also our dragoman, the younger
Sapienza, a Maltese, whose time, however, is mostly
passed on our boat.

An independent party, but arranged to keep in
company, consists of Mr. and Mrs. Howland of New
York, very nice people, with their servant and dra-
goman, in the Heron. But I must cut short these
details, or I shall never come to an end. On Friday
and Saturday the wind was dead ahead, and, tracking
being impossible until we get out of Cairo, we were
stationary, and on Saturday some of us visited the in-
teresting museum at Boulak, made by Mariette. Sun-
day, wind still unfavorable, until nearly sunset, when

574 TEA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

we got up two or three miles, where we commanded a
superb view. In the morning you preached to the
great satisfaction of your congregation of eleven, a
very appreciating audience. We established a regu-
lar liturgical service. I was installed as curate ; but
Mrs. Gray read the first of your university ser-
mons. . . . Monday and Tuesday, and I think Wednes-
day also, the boat was tracked, and so we made
only a few miles a day, and some of us were much on
shore. . . .

This [the temple of Abydos] was the first Egyptian
structure of any consequence I had ever seen, and it
is very impressive. Most of the roofing remains, and
having been exhumed, for the greater part, within a
very few years, the colored sculptures covering the
walls are very perfect and fresh. They are in the best
style, of the same age as those in the great temple at
Thebes, which we have yet to see.

Yesterday we sailed along slowly, to-day still more
so, luxuriating in this January weather, which is like
our June at home, without any of its fitfulness. To-
day we had full service, and I read your second
university sermon, which all liked very much indeed,
and have bespoken the third for next Sunday. Your
audience consists of eight Unitarians and three Ortho-
dox Presbyterians. By the way I was much gratified
with the appreciative review of your sermons in the
" Spectator," in a number which I received at Alex-
andria. Thanks for the other papers you forwarded
also. I think only letters are awaiting us at Thebes
(Luxor), but Mr. Hale may send up papers by pri-
vate opportunity. The mails taken by runners carry
only letters. Our latest intelligence from the West-
ern World is barely up to the formation of Glad-

JET. 58.] TO CHARLES WRIGHT. 575

stone's ministry. I shall have a deal to read up.
But here our days pass on with scarce a thought of
the modern and western world, except on Christmas
and New Year's days. I wish I could give you
some idea of our life here, and of all we see and en-
joy, but you must imagine it. We are well supplied
with books, especially relative to Egypt, are busy
from morn to night in a leisurely way, and are in-
tensely comfortable. . . .

We had yesterday for Dendera, where the temple,
as to structure, is in most complete preservation, but
the architecture is of the rather debased Ptolemaic
period, and the sculptures on the walls, never equal, I
imagine, to those at Abydos, have been sadly defaced
by the early Coptic Christians. But all was very in-
teresting, and the ladies were all with us to enjoy it.

Evening. — We are lying eight miles below Thebes,
which we expect to reach early to-morrow morning,
and to receive and dispatch letters. So I must
close this. We are writing at nine P. M., with almost
all the cabin windows open. The day has been like
one of July in England, — in one respect unusually
like, for the sky has been overcast with light clouds,
and the air sultry, ending as such a day might with
a sudden and brief storm — of wind only, though it
seemed about to rain ; but it is now still, and the
stars are shining out of a clear sky.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

NUBIA, BELOW DEBB, January 21, 1869.

Let me begin a line to you from this Ethiopian

region. The object is to inclose to you some fresh

seeds of Ficus sycomorus, the true sycamore or

fool fig, — not bad to eat. They were gathered

576 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

at the first cataract of the Nile, at ancient Syene,
or between it and Philae. I think you may like to
send a part to Don Jose*, for culture in Cuba, where
it will be a good thing to have. And the rest, let
Guerrineau try to raise some, that we may have one
in the conservatory. I shall send, along with heavy
things, some nuts of the Doum palm, Hyphaene
Thebaica, which branches and is picturesque. That
and the date palm are the principal trees here. Be-
sides, there is Acacia Nilotica (the sont) and one
or two other acacias, and an occasional sycamore.
Below, a jujube tree was not uncommon, and plenty
of the fine Acacia (or Albizzia) Lebbek, with its
great flat pods and large leaflets. But none in Nu-
bia. Up here the cultivable valley of the Nile is just
the slope of the banks bared as the river subsides
after the inundation, making a strip of green crops
from five feet to five rods wide, — all else desert,
either rock or sand as the case may be. We came
twenty-four hours ago within the tropics, — a new
thing for me, and I thought of Cuba and you. But
it is just comfortably warm, 70° in the shade as I
write, — has been 76°, — the nights down to 60° or
so ; just nice and comfortable if you keep out of the
sun, which, though seemingly not hot, has an over-
powering effect I never knew at home. Our winds
are steady from north and northwest, pushing us up
the river steadily. About sixty miles more, or may be
seventy, is the second cataract, and our limit. Then
we turn our faces north again, and descend, making
our principal stops by the way. For thus far, we have
stopped only little or briefly, taking only such sight-
seeing as came in our way or took us little out of it.
Yet we have had a glance at several of the greatest

J5T.58.] TO JOHN TORREY. 577

things. Abou-Simbel — the great rock temples of
this region, and the main thing to go up into Nubia
for — we hope to reach to-morrow or day after. We
should have been there now, but were delayed at
Assouan by long negotiations before we could get
put up the Cataracts, and afterwards lost forty-eight
hours by breaking the rudder of our larger boat. No
letters till we get back to Thebes (Luxor) — some
weeks hence. There I trust there is something from
you. . . .

TO JOHN TORREY.

January, 1869.

. . . At Luxor, on our way up, we stopped only
half a day, and took our first view of the great temple
at Karnak. Left on the morning of January 8 ;
reached Esneh, the capital of Upper Nubia, in early
morning of the 10th. Sunday, passed the day and
night there. The Ptolemaic temple, or rather the
first court of it, very perfect and thoroughly cleared
out within, the columns especially beautiful and all
perfect. January 12, having sailed past Silsilis quar-
ries, etc., by night, reached Assouan before noon.
Here we reached the granite rocks and the basalt, and
the next day visited the quarries whence the obelisks
and all the great shafts, blocks, sarcophagi, granite
colossi, etc., have been taken during several thousand
years, the last almost two thousand years ago ; and
here are the chisel-marks and places cut to receive the
wedges as sharp and fresh as if the workmen had only
just left off work. Of course we viewed the obelisk
left in the rough, only partly detached. We were
moored right opposite Elephantine, and during the
two or three days' delay before we could arrange to

578 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

be taken up the cataracts, or secure fitting weather,
the excursion up to Philae was made by most of the
party, on camels or donkeys (I greatly prefer the lat-
ter), and the very picturesque scenery enjoyed.

January 16 and 17 were grand days, going up the
cataracts, our boats in charge of the Nubians. The
first day, Saturday, sailed up to the rapids and were
drawn up the first severe one, — a hard pull and
barely room to get our larger boat through; 17th, a
quiet Sunday, in still water between upper and lower
rapids ; under most picturesque surroundings of river,
rock, and desert, here strangely mingled, and a hot
cloudless sun; had service and much enjoyed Church's
sermon No. 3. Climbing one of the rugged masses of
rock toward sunset, had a fine distant view of lovely
Philae. Monday, 18th, the army of Nubians again took
hold of our boats, and with noises indescribable and
persevering efforts the boats were drawn, one by one,
up the final and worst fall ; we were in calm water
before sunset, and at dusk were moored close to Philae,
which we got charming views of, from the opposite
shore next morning at sunrise ; came up and made a
brief visit to the ruins after breakfast, and sailed on
with a beautiful breeze, when suddenly, about twenty
miles on, the rudder of the Ibis gave way (injured
probably in the cataracts), and for forty-eight hours
we lay by near a Nubian hamlet (climbed the moun-
tains on Arabian side ; got wonderful views of desert,
rock on this side, reddish-yellow sand on the other),
while Antonio, the dragoman, with rowboat went back
to Philae, and thence by land to Assouan, whence on
camel brought up new rudder-post, workmen, etc., re-
instated the rudder, and — January 21, afternoon — we
were off again.

JET. 58.] TO JOHN TORREY. 579

Nubia is very different from Egypt, picturesque
rocky ranges always near the river and broken into
peaks and pyramids, and all desert except the narrow
selvage reclaimed by irrigation with sakias ; here the
vegetation (barley, peas, beans, and lupines) intensely
green by the contrast with yellow sand or light brown
sandstone.

January 23, before reaching Korosko (whence cara-
vans to Dongola ; visited their camps-, very wild Arabs
and blacks, and very disagreeable white traders,
Greeks, probably, with villainous faces) saw our first
crocodile, and sent two shots at once at him, but the
huge fellow flounced off the sand bank into the river,
probably not much hurt.

January 24, first met with chameleons; got three
or four from the boys, but finally kept only one, which
we still have here at Cairo — a lovely little brute whose
name is Billy, and a great pet ; a great diversion to
watch his change of hues, and especially to see him
catch flies by darting out his slender, india-rubber-like
tongue to the length of several inches (nearly that of
his whole body when the fly was far enough off), and
with wonderful quickness and certainty. Service in
the afternoon, with Church's last sermon, and sorry
we were to have reached the end of them.

But I shall never have done with our journey at
this rate, and shall* give you not the least idea of it
after this fashion ; how some days we sailed on with
fair winds, which is very cheerful ; some we tracked,
and then we were much on shore and mingled with
the people ; and often strong head winds kept us fast
at the bank, sometimes for two or three days, which
grew tedious. Well, on the 27th we came to the
great attraction of the upper Nile, Abou-Simbel ; but

580 TEA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

the wind being fine and fair, sailed on at a great rate,
and reached our terminus, Wady Halfeh, next morn-
ing. Made next day excursion to the farthest point,
the high rock Abou Seir, which dominates the second
cataracts, and gives extensive view beyond, far into
Africa ; head winds next day kept us at the village,
which we explored and exchanged hospitalities with
the inhabitants, the poorer part of which were begin-
ning to suffer from famine. Later, going down, we
met boat loads of corn for seed and food going up
from the viceroy for their relief ; little enough to do
for a people so cruelly oppressed and peeled as the
fellahs are. At evening we could be off, the great
yard and sail now down, and small mizzen in its place,
to use on the rare occasion of a south wind, and now
we depend upon the current and oars, five on each
side, handled by our stalwart crew, their strokes timed
by queer Arabic chants ; more severe labor than in
ascending (except when tracking) and not so pleasant
to us as sailing ; but yet we could come down much
faster than we came up. Whenever there was sight-
seeing by day the crews would usually row all night,
so we got on finely.

MESSINA, March 24.

Behold us so far back towards Europe. Here, kept
in by that strange thing in our experience, a rainy
day, and prevented thereby from- going to Taormina
(Tauromenium) to see the Greek theatre, the site of
Naxos, and a near view of Etna, I resume my writ-
ing ; which was interrupted a week ago by multifari-
ous things at Cairo. ... I think I must go back to
the diary, and so try to tell you, in this mechanical
sort of way, somewhat of our occupation day by day.
The bare names of the places must convey to you all
I can hope to of our seeings and doings.

JET. 68.] TO JOHN TORREY. 581

February 1. — Reached Abou Simbel at daybreak,
and were under the great giant Rameses when the
first rays of the sun touched their huge, placid faces,
and were in the rock temple within when the hori-
zontal rays entering the small opening for a half hour
lighted up the great Osiride figures to best advantage,
and even reached the broken statues at the bottom of
the adytum. Later in the day explored leisurely and
repeatedly the whole interior chambers with candles,
and occasionally with Bengal lights and magnesium
wire (the best of all lights), bringing out well the
famous sculptures that cover all the walls. Climbed
the heights later in the day to get superb views of
desert and river and the sunset. Late in evening
some went again through the sand to see the great
faces by moonlight, which, however, they supple-
mented by torches. We were moored right under the
face of the smaller rock temple. . . .

February 9. — Awoke at Philse ; of which I will
only say that even Miss Martineau does not exag-
gerate the interest of the whole, and the beauty and
picturesqueness of the site.

February 10. — All day at Philae, and dropped
down to Mahatta just as the sun set gloriously be-
hind the ruins and the mighty rocks which surround
them.

February 11. — The Ibis shot the great cataract, all
but one of oiir party being on the shore to see the ex-
citing sight, — finer, it is thought, than being on board,
though you thus lose the sense of personal danger.
We were taken on shore round the trying points, and
in our rowboats the rest of the way down to Assouan,
where we joined the Ibis, vociferously welcomed by
our combined Egyptian and Nubian crews, all re-

582 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

joicing, as they well might, in the safety of the Ibis,
which had never done the feat before and was reck-
oned rather large for the undertaking. Shopping,
etc., filled the day. At evening some of us called on
Lady Duff-Gordon, living on her boat, now lying here.
I went back later and passed an hour more with her,
taking her some books we could spare her. Much
pleased with her spirit and affability, but distressed
at the progress disease is making ; do not think she
can last much longer, even in Egypt. Her last year's
visit to Syria injured her seriously.

February 12. — The Undine came down famously
at sunrise, and joined us soon opposite the upper end
of Elephantine, where we went up to meet her, ex-
pecting to round the island and be off at once down
the river. But a heavy blow from the north, and con-
sequent great discouragement ; we had to lay by all
day, not even getting on shore with any comfort, and
almost all night.

You must know that in Upper Egypt and Nubia a
hakim or doctor is a great godsend to the people, and
you have to give medicine all day long. On return-
ing to Assouan I was met, when I stepped on shore,
by the beaming dark countenance of a papa, to whose
son, whom I thought rather far gone, I had given
some medicine when going up ; he had now brought
down the fellow from a village several miles off, to
show me how well — or nearly well — he was. An-
other widely grinning face met me, of a papa who had
brought me his boy with a dreadfully ill-looking sore
head, which I had dosed with mercurial ointment
rubbed in with colza oil. He did not now bring the
lad, but came a good distance to recall him to my
recollection by expressive pantomime, and to say in

JET. 58.] TO JOHN TORRE Y. 583

the same way that he was " all right." Eye-wash I
dispensed in profuse abundance ; and among the men
cured several cases of ophthalmia which looked seri-
ous ; and many a petty surgical operation did the
" Hakim-Pacha " — as he came to be called — per-
form. I cannot tell you how much attached we got
to our crews and their officers, and before we parted
I made sure that many tears should flow in my be-
half, by acceding to requests for eye-lotions, which
were most copiously used, — by those who needed it,
for cure, by those who did not, for prevention. Two
sorts of creatures with which I formerly had little
sympathy, I have learned to appreciate and respect, —
donkeys and people of color, Arabs and Nubians
especially. All idea of anything disagreeable or
inferior in color of skin disappeared, or rather the
darker fellows seemed the finer. As I remember
sundry dark Arabs, they seem to me among the best-
looking and best-behaved men I ever knew. But this
digression will never do. . . . At sunset reached Edf ou.

February 15. — Whole day at the temple, which
is all but entire, and large as well as complete, and
the acres of sculpture and hieroglyph in excellent
preservation, all recently excavated under the care of
Mariette and placed under a custodian. If I could
be dropped down in Egypt for one morning only, to
see only one thing, it should be this temple at Ed-
fou, though only of Ptolemaic date. I cannot stop
for a single detail about it. ...

February 22. — Luxor : across river, tombs, Medinet
el Bahree, Eamaseum, again, etc. I and some others
dined in the evening on boat with our English friends
(Legge, Eaton, and Baird), and celebrated Washing-
ton's Birthday.

584 TEA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

February 23. — Boats dropped down to Karnak,
had afternoon at the great temple, tea there at dusk,
— a famous tea-party in the great hall of columns, all
the dignitaries at Luxor and Karnak invited ; the full
moonlight enjoyed for an hour or two, and then illu-
mination with Bengal lights, making splendid effects
among the 137 columns, and other parts ; then rockets ;
some of our parties back to boat, the rest to a feast
given by a splendid old Arab, the chief of Karnak, in
full Arab style, with music, dancing-women, and all.
Imaun Joseph, who had been our guest at the temple
tea, was his relative's guest at this banquet. Lady
Duff-Gordon's account of him had made him known
to us most favorably, and we got most thoroughly
attached to the man, especially after having him to
dine with us next day, his smile, voice, and manners
of the sweetest, and his character is every way lovely.
He is as dark-skinned as most American negroes, but
with very handsome features. All these experiences
cannot be written, but could be talked over at large.
That evening view of Karnak is the one I want
to keep, so I did not go again ; Mrs. G. did once
more.

February 24. — Tombs of the kings ; a grand but
fatiguing day, most of the tune in Belzoni's, the finest
and largest ; most of us did two or three more. I
came home over the mountains to get the fine view
over the valley, etc. . . .

March 4. — Siout : ascended the hill for the great
view, from mouth of one of the great old tombs ;
shopped in the pretty town ; accepted the American
consul's great attentions for the morning only (rich
Coptic Christian family), but tore ourselves away
from entreaties to. stay for dinner and fantasia in the

JET. 58.] TO JOHN TORREY. 585

evening, in honor of the inauguration of the Amer-
ican President, so secured the good wind and were off
in the afternoon. ...

March 9. — Went over the site of Memphis ; saw
the colossal figure of Rameses lying pathetically on
his face, pyramids of Sakkara, Serapeum, the wonder-
ful Apis sarcophagi, and finally that newly excavated,
beautiful tomb structure, of date very early in old em-
pire (fourth or fifth dynasty), with paintings and low.
reliefs with truthfulness, spirit, taste, and fineness of
execution, much surpassing the best days of the later
empire, and all free of the grotesque mythology of
later times. A fine treat to come at the last.

March 10. — Hard rowing against wind to reach
Gizeh ; went in carriages, by road made for the Prince
of Wales, to the Great Pyramid and its fellow. I went
in, but no one ascended, — too much wind ; Sphinx,
neighboring old tombs, etc., etc.

March 11. — Cairo : packed and left the boats so
long our home, and good-by to the sailors.

March 12-18. — Cairo : must not forget one day
passed at Mariette's museum, studying specially the
fine things of old empire which he has discovered and
rescued. Had fairly enough of mosques, Moslem
tombs, modern palaces, etc. Sorry that slight illness
cut off several things, notably a drive to the site of
Heliopolis, marked only by a single obelisk. Steamer
from Alexandria would not wait, so we must needs
hurry off, our pleasant party break up, etc.

March 19. — A morning drive at Alexandria, to
see Pompey's Pillar, the Obelisk, etc., and so on board
the Peluze ; a beautiful evening, but blowy weather fol-
lowed, — - a seasick time ; and here we got, not Monday
evening, but Tuesday morning, boat gone to Naples

586 TEA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

the day before. . . . Mrs. G. badly knocked up, and
here is cold spring weather and fickle, weeping skies,
so unlike the thoroughly reliable weather which we
had got to regard as a law of nature ; wherefore such
freaks take us all by surprise. Oh, how we long
already for the dry air and certain sky of old
Egypt! . . .

TAORMINA, March 25, evening.

We have done it, after all, or at least are in the
way of doing it. ... This morning, when the sea
looked rough with the recent gales, although the very
low barometer began to rise, I was not sorry when the
Florio steamer was kept back, waiting an overdue
corresponding vessel from Malta, and, though an-
nounced to sail to-morrow, I determined to wait yet
longer for smoother weather. Meanwhile it cleared off
beautifully, though with considerable wind. At four
P. M. this afternoon we were off by rail with small lug-
gage needful, on the Catania railroad ; an hour and a
half along a coast more picturesque than the finest
parts of the Corniche road, though not so grand,
brought us to Giardini ; whence an ascent of an hour
up a zigzag road in a one-horse carriage, commanding
charming sunset views all the way, old Etna full in
view southwest, brought us to this queer perch. It
reminds us of Turbia, but is far more striking. We
are in a primitive, but very nice auberge ; our window
looking full upon the whole mass of Etna glistening in
the clear moonlight. On the left hand we look directly
down upon the sea and along the jagged coast ; on the
right Taormina Castle overhangs us almost, the old
castle or forts covering its narrow summit, probably
1,000 feet above us ; it must command an extraordi-
nary view. We shall see to-morrow. Rather behind

MT. 58.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 587

us lies the amphitheatre, on a craggy buttress between
us and the sea.

Morning ; up at daylight, to the amphitheatre, to see
sun rise out of the sea and light up Etna, which was
without a cloud. The theatre really a Roman ruin,
with bits only of the original Greek ; the situation
superb. ... I climb up to Mola, get a grand study
of Etna from height of 1,500-2,000 feet, the clouds
keeping off till I had done. Extensive sea and coast
view, but haze in the far distance. Descended on to
the peak bearing the Saracenic ruins of the Castle of
Taormina, overhanging the town ; and now, having
dined, and found Mrs. G. better, as well as desirous of
warmer quarters, we are soon to descend to the shore
below us, and take train for Catania. This place
is very well worth visiting, and I am glad that I
arranged as I did, only sorry that I had to enjoy
most of it alone.

NAPLES, Tuesday, 30th.

Found Catania well worth a visit ; had pleasant
Easter Sunday, and superb view of Etna, and of its
various former doings, sending its lavas down to the
sea in a tremendous way. Getting back to Messina,
the steamer, a little one, was off Monday afternoon ;
good parting views of Etna toward evening ; an un-
comfortable night ; we entered the bay at daybreak,
and Naples soon after sunrise, and are now domiciled
in full view of Vesuvius.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

ROME, April 22, 1869.

... I am thirsty for botanical news, after having
laid aside the botanist for a much longer time than
ever before. Well, we were three and a half months

588 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

in Egypt, three months of it on the Nile itself, and we
have avoided the chills of winter and had a season of
great enjoyment and interest. I passed your friend
Professor Marcet in Nubia, but missed visiting his
boat, from his sailing under the English flag, but hit
upon that of Mr. Naville,1 whom we saw afterwards
at Edfou, and were much pleased with.

Botany on the Nile is nearly nil, yet I collected a
small suite of specimens, as souvenirs. Returning, we
had a most uncomfortable passage to Messina. . . .
In Naples and in the charming environs we passed a
fortnight and rather more, and have now had a week
in Rome.

We are just now recovering the mild and charm-
ing weather which we left. behind in Egypt. We shall
stay here, I suppose, only ten days more, make a
short stay in Florence, also in Venice, visit the Italian
lakes, and, I think, go to Vienna by way of Inns-
bruck, to be there the first week in June. All else is
uncertain, except that we mean to be in Switzerland
in July. . . .

Dr. Gray said he found more botany in a half day in
the desert than in a week in Egypt ! A country cul-
tivated for five thousand years had no weeds. There
were long walks and occasional excursions in Nubia
into the desert when the dahabeah was lying still.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

MUNICH, June 8, 1869.

... It is hurrying and distracting work, this
traveling with a pair of nice young ladies, sharp for

1 Edouard Naville, of Geneva ; distinguished Egyptologist ; since
1883 the representative of the Egyptian Exploration fund.

JST. 58.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 589

sight-seeing, . . . and a lot of botanists and gar-
dens, etc., you want to see on your own hook. So
you will excuse all curtness in letters. . . .

At Munich we saw, of course, much of Madame de
Martius, l — a sweet, good soul, deeply grieved by
the loss of her husband, and yet bears up bravely.
And we learned many interesting things about good
Martius. Notices of Martius' death were sent, as
usual, to all friends. . . .

llth. Nuremberg is a queer old place indeed. We
have nearly twenty-four hours here, and go on the way
to Dresden to-day.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

DRESDEN, June 13, 1869.

I'll tell you what our plans are at present. To
stay here till Friday noon, the 18th ; Mrs. G. to be
very quiet, as she cares mainly to see the gallery and
enjoy it leisurely. On Tuesday, I, with the young
ladies, go up to Freiberg to visit the celebrated mining
school, etc., and on return next day, to see the Forst-
Akademie at Tharand. Friday night all to Toplitz,
to pass two days with a friend, — the Sunday's rest.
Monday to Prague, Tuesday to Regensburg, Wednes-
day or Thursday to Munich, and Saturday evening to
be at Ragatz (or Pfeffers). Soon after at least Mrs.
G. and I will be settled for a while at Geneva.

H6TEL BYRON, VILJLENEUVE, July 15,
. . . Boissier has been seriously sick with a pleurisy,
etc. ; is at Orbe, or was. If still there I should go to
see him ; but he has now gone to Gries, in Appenzell,
to a bathing-place, and I shall not see him. . . .

1 Von Martius died in March, 1869.

590 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

Renter, his curator, was away last week, but I shall
see him, I presume, to-morrow.

I have just lost my mother, at a good old age. My
father died twenty-four years earlier. . . .

It is a charming place here. We are spending the
morning lazily, and go on soon to Geneva. The
young people have gone on to Chamouni, which we
do not care to revisit. . . . Kindest regards to Pro-
fessor Fenzl, with regrets that I shall not see him.

TO JOSEPH ROWLAND.

INTERLAKEN, July 26, 1869.

. . . We have had a joyful time in Switzerland,
and for me a complete rejuvenation. And as to Mrs.
Gray, who did not need that, what we call " the move-
ment cure " has done her more good than all Egypt.
That my lamentable failure of breath on Piz Langarde
was owing, not to advancing years, as I had foreboded,
nor wholly to the rarefaction of the atmosphere above
9,000 feet, as Mrs. H. suggested, but to a violent cold,
then impending, I proved satisfactorily by walking
the other day down from Miirren to Lauterbrunnen
(having walked up the eve before), and then right on
over the Wengern Alp to Grindelwald, and I believe
as comfortably as I did it (all but the first part)
thirty, and then nineteen, years ago !

Weather has been all we could ask for, — this the
first rainy day to keep us indoors, and it now promises
to be pleasant by noon, so that we can go to Giess-
bach. Let me tell you what we have done. . . .

Wife and I started Thursday, to Sierre, by rail.
Friday, carriage to Yisp, and horses to St. Nicolaus.
Saturday, char-a-banc to Zermatt, and horses to hotel
on the Riff el. Only my wife's own pen can relate

AST. 58.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 591

how she felt in flesh, bones, and spirit after that, nor
her surprise to find next morning that she was " alive,
and alive like to be," nor her keen delight in Matter-
horn, Monte Rosa, and surroundings, and the profu-
sion of alpine flowers. Sunday and Monday on
Riff el most enjoyable. Tuesday, Mrs. G., thinking
facile descensus inapplicable to such a steep path, in-
sisted upon walking down to Zermatt, which she did ;
a long rest at Zermatt, with pleasant English friends,
and a dinner enabled us to go Jn char to St. Nicolaus
to sleep, taking a small thunder-shower in the way.

Wednesday, " we still live," and go on horses,
through two showers, to Visp again, and then carriage
to Sierre and rail down to Hotel Byron, to get charm-
ing view and sleep.

Thursday, all fresh comparatively, and go in a
chaise to Chillon, and then back to our pleasant quar-
ters in Hotel de la Metropole, Geneva. Here we
rest, see friends, and do botany till Tuesday last.

TO B. W. CHURCH.

LONDON, August 22, 1869.

. . . With all my endeavors I could not get off a
note to 3^011 by yesterday's (Saturday's) post, and so
shall be late in announcing to you our prosperous re-
turn to England. We left Paris on Thursday, reached
Amiens in time to visit the cathedral, a most striking-
specimen of fullest-flowered Gothic, saw it again on
Friday morning, and, after a smooth crossing, got to
London before sunset. Yesterday I had to go to the
banker's, to Kew, and to see our Harvard men at
Putney.1 I must now needs be with them on their
trial day ; and then, tell me frankly if it would per-

1 Boat-race between Harvard and Oxford.

592 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

fectly suit Mrs. Church and yourself if we came to
you on Saturday (28th) for a few days. Later would
serve us, if you prefer. . . .

After that I hope we can get settled at Kew, and
do some work, for which I have little enough time
left.

As to Exeter meeting of British Association, I am
on the whole glad enough to keep away, especially
from Darwinian discussions, in which I desire not to
be at all " mixed up " with the prevailing and pecul-
iarly English materialistic, positivic line of thought,
with which I have no sympathy, while in natural his-
tory I am a sort of Darwinian.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.
KEW, [CHAKLTON HOUSE], September 20, 1869.

The skies were propitious to us in Switzerland, and
the only very warm day was the one which we passed,
very pleasantly indeed, with Godet at Neufchatel.
Thence we went to Paris, stopping at Dijon en
route. . . .

Oliver and Baker are here steadily at work. Dr.
Masters 1 drops in now and then. Dr. Hooker, after
some respite, was at home. Dr. Thomson returned
last week ; and now Benthana is here also, fresh from
the Continent.

At British Museum I find Dr. Carruthers2 and
the new assistant, Dr. Trimen. Mr. Bennett still, I
think, away on his holiday. Botanical and other
news I have none. I send you this mere apology for
a letter, in the hope of getting something from you ;

1 Maxwell T. Masters ; editor of Gardener's Chronicle ; author of
Vegetable Teratology.

2 William Carruthers ; botanist of the British Museum, London.

^ET. 58.] TO GENERAL HOWLAND. 593

and later I may have more to say. Can I be of any
use to you here ?

Remember me kindly to Dr. Miiller,1 to whom best
thanks for all the friendly services which he has ren-
dered me.

Our united kind regards to Madame De Candolle,
and to your son (from whom I still expect a photo-
graph), and my wife's to yourself. We have the
most pleasant recollections of our brief visit to
Geneva.
'Believe me ever your devoted ASA GRAY.

TO GENERAL HOWLAND.

KEW, October 3, 1869.

I don't know when you would get a response to your
welcome letter of August 22, which reached us here
in due course, so long as things went on in the ordi-
nary way, — I working at botany as much as possible,
but presiding here over a considerable household,
some sight-seeing and much intermittent visiting.
But now that I am all alone, and my wife with the
rest of them girareing over the north of England,
sober reflection has its hour, and I remember the
friends that are far away, perhaps on the shores of
Italian lakes, and long to know how they get on and
what they are about. To attain which knowledge and
put myself en rapport I should first, I know, give
you some account of ourselves and our doings.

But where to begin ? I think we wrote you from
Paris. We had three weeks there, I mostly at the
Jardin des Plantes till near dinner-time. . . .

For ourselves, after cool weather in Paris we came

1 Johannes Miiller (Argoviensis) ; late director of the Botanic
Garden at Geneva. Has written largely on Lichens.

594 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

in for a piece of very sultry weather in London,
where we had to stay awhile, our lodgings here not
being available till about 15th September. So after
staying to the Harvard boat-race, — which I saw from
the umpire's boat, and Mrs. Gray, with good Miss S.,
from some grounds above Fulham, — we set off on a
little round of visits, first to the Darwins', near Brom-
ley, then to the Churches' in Somersetshire, a pleasant
country rectory and a delightful couple. You remem-
ber the university sermons we had up the Nile were
his. Next we passed a day with an old bachelor
botanical acquaintance near Taunton, who makes a
capital squire ; then to Torquay for three days (with
a daughter of Sir William Hooker, and her husband,
Dr. Lombe), one of which I devoted to an excursion
down the river Dart from Totness to Dartmouth
(which the English think much of, but you dwellers
on the Hudson would not), and to a view of that
quaint little town. On our way back we had an hour
at Exeter to see the cathedral; a night and morning
at Salisbury, the cathedral as to exterior, site, and all,
and beautiful spire, one of the most satisfactory in
England ; took a glance at Wilton, a peep into old
George Herbert's little church of Bemerton and into
his house and garden ; stopped over a train at Romsey
to see the fine Norman abbey church, and to Win-
chester, most interesting cathedral as to the interior,
Winchester school and the old Hospital of St. Cross.
Then, on returning to London, we settled down here,
and after a few days were joined by the rest of our
party from France.

. . . No one in England recognized me with my
venerable white beard !

Ever, dear Howland, your affectionate

ASA GRAY.

J5T.58.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 595

The winter Dr. Gray spent in Egypt, in 1869, lie
raised a full beard, which so changed his appear, vace
that, though eyes and voice were there, his oldest
friends did not know him on his return, and he had
great glee in imposing himself on his old friend Dr.
Torrey, when he went to the station to meet him in
Boston, as a persistent hack-driver. Even when he
declared himself, Dr. Torrey would scarcely believe
him ; he and Professor Henry always maintained a
man had no lawful right so to change his outward
appearance after middle age.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

KEW, October 6, 1869.

. . . A week ago Saturday Mrs. G. and I went down
via Warwick to Stratford-on-Avon, where we had
never been, with Professor Flower,1 to visit his father
and mother, whose house (almost always thronged by
Americans), a short mile out of Stratford, commands
one of the most charming and wholly English views
(that of English landscape-painters). On Monday
morning Loring and the girls, who had passed the Sun-
day at Warwick, drove down and took us up, and we
saw the Shakespeare memorials, even to Anne Hatha-
way's cottage (all but myself, who studied brewing in-
stead), and back to " The Hill " for a lunch-dinner.
Then they took my wife and departed to pass night
and next day at Warwick. At evening I went by a
direct train to Oxford to sleep, seeing first Pro-
fessor Rolleston 2 for a moment. And, breakfasting

1 Sir William Henry Flower, M. D., London ; curator of the Hun-
terian Museum. Succeeded Owen as director of the British Museum
of Natural History.

2 George Rolleston, M. D., 1829-1881 ; professor of anatomy and
physiology at Oxford.

596 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

with him and his agreeable wife next morning early
(his windows command a lovely view), set about
seeing all the structures, etc., that have sprung up
since the almost twenty years that have passed : the
Museum and its workings, the Ratcliffe turned into
an admirable reading-room, chapel of Exeter, also
Balliol, new buildings of Christ Church, etc. I did
not fail to look in upon the quadrangle of Oriel, also,
to ask for Mr. Burgon, but he was in France. After
lunch I took train, and was in Kew soon after sunset.
Since then I have been away one day and one night,
with Mr. Rivers of Orchard-house fame, at Sawbridge-
worth, Herts. . . .

TO JOHN TORREY.

KEW, October 11, 1869.

I am now almost through with my examination of
the Polemoniacese, for which I brought over all mine
here. I have got them into good shape, settled many
things only to be determined here, and have a clear
and definite idea as to what I would do with the gen-
era, and have straightened out the species.

October 31.

After so long a drought — as happens in some cli-
mates — when the change comes, you pour refresh-
ingly. But with all your three rapidly following let-
ters not one of them makes the least reference to my
letter, written for one special purpose.

Bennett is as pleasant as ever. When I go up next
to British Museum I will give your regards.

Old Gray (J. E.), who has ever been particularly
kind to us, has had a paralytic stroke, which, with

JET. 58.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 597

other infirmities, seemed about to close his life. But
he is wonderfully rallying. . . .

How glad we are about the grandchild, and what
real comfort and delight you will have with the little
fellow ! And then the satisfaction of having your
name go down in the direct line. Why, he may be a
botanist, or at least a chemist, and add honor to the
name in another generation. Please give, with our
love, our united congratulations to the happy papa
and mamma.

We have been corresponding with Carey, and shall
see him soon.

The sheet is full ; so adieu for a few weeks. Ever
your affectionate A. GRAY.

TO R. W. CHURCH.
QUEEN'S HOTEL, LIVERPOOL, November 8, 1869.

We broke up our establishment at Kew, this after-
noon, and are having the night here, preparatory to
embarkation. Before leaving Kew I received the
proof of your sermon,1 and here I found your last
note, and Loring another proof -copy of the sermon ;
for which he sends best thanks.

So you have been again to Windsor, and this time, I
trust, had her Majesty in the congregation. . . .

Loring, the young ladies, and myself had the Sun-
day at Canterbury, our last cathedral, and a most in-
teresting one, both in the sight and the associations
We have Stanley's " Memorials " to read up, with
other things, on the voyage, if the Atlantic will
allow it.

Wednesday morning. — Off Irish coast ; shall reach

1 Sermon preached in Westminster Abbey, at the consecration of
the new bishop of Salisbury.

598 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1869,

Queens town before noon ; very smooth water, espe-
cially since we were out of the St. George's Channel.
We are all doing very well, though some of our
party, including Mrs. Gray, are poor creatures on the
water.

I have read over the sermon with real interest. What
I much like in it is the broadness of view and modera-
tion of claim, which adds strength to the argument.
It seems to me that every Christian man, churchman
or no, would yield full assent to all you say.

And, dear Mr. Church, consider that all your friends
think, no doubt, as I do, that you are hardly at lib-
erty to take counsel of your misgivings and humility,
if asked to take some position in which your gifts may
tell more directly upon educated men, especially the
younger men. I don't want to see you in a position
which brings cares and anxieties along with high
honors ; these I do not covet for you in the least.
What I covet for you is fruitful leisure, some position
for you which, while it gives you time, and income
enough to supply real wants, makes also some de-
mands ; for rarely does one do anything to much pur-
pose that he is not somehow constrained to do.

We leave behind us in England most delightful
friends, and we are not likely to forget them ; but
we are somehow drawn to you in a peculiar way,
and shall often be thinking of you and yours when
settled down again, if it please God that we may
be, at our pleasant home on the other side of the
Atlantic.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS., November 23, 1869.
Just a line to tell you — which you will be glad to
know — that we safely accomplished our voyage home,

^T. 59.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 599

landing yesterday morning [Monday] early, on the
thirteenth day. Very well for that vessel, the slowest
of the line, am' at this season, with much head wind.
No gales, but some stiff breezes, and the vessel tum-
bled and rolled about, to our discomfort. However, it
is all over; and Mrs. G. and the other ladies, who
suffered a good deal, are looking brighter again.

My wife sends kind love to you and all yours, and
the young people, if they knew of my writing, would
send kind and grateful messages. The voyage now
seems to me only as a disturbed night's sleep, dozing
off in Old England to awake in the New.

Ever yours affectionately, A. GRAY.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

CAMBRIDGE, February 14, 1870.

MY DEAR DARWIN, — Being eve of post-day we
respond at once to yours of the 27th January — which
arrived this very morning — lest you should send us
down to posterity with a fabulous dog-story.

I well remember telling you of our " Max " 1 and
his habit of washing cat-fashion ; which you suggested
might have come from being brought up with a cat,
and I think I told you that I had not been able to
learn definitely whether that was the case or no. Here,
you see, by some shuffling of memory, a suggestion of
what might explain a fact has taken the place of the
fact itself. I am curious to know if it be true, for it
is the only explanation I can think of.

I trust you have some of the slender-leaved Drosera
I sent through Hooker.

Well, our homeward voyage was not a nice one,

1 Dr. Gray's black and tan terrier, his loving companion for twelve
years.

600 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1870,

especially for Mrs. Gray, and it now seems a long
time ago. I dropped at once into a world of work ;
but am not killing myself. The main struggle for
existence will come in the spring, when my duties
crowd on me dreadfully.

It gave us both very great pleasure to see again
Mrs. Darwin's well-known handwriting, and your sig-
nature.

I knew you would be pleased with young Agassiz
and his Yankee wife. I wish his health were better ;
and I do hope your own will be such that you can
next summer see and know my trump of a colleague
J. Wyman.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

CAMBRIDGE, March 28, 1870.

. . . You hope that I will not resign my chair here
unless to devote myself wholly to botanical work.
What other object could I have in view ? I am not
likely to be idle, and I care for nothing else. The
difficulty is, that the university cannot well spare me
now, nor find a fit person to take either the whole or
a part of my work, but there is a good disposition to
favor my views.

Charles Wright is helping me as curator of the her-
barium, and is getting the large accessions into it —
rather slowly.

The winter is nearly passed ; I have employed dil-
igently all the time I could command, but the net
result looks small. All I have for the printer is a
revision of Eriogoneae, which I have turned over to
him, and which you shall soon see. I think I have
done it very well. I have in Eriogonum made use
of a character which you have not employed, i. e., the

^T. 59.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 601

attenuation of the base of the flower into stipes, which
marks the umbellata and the eriantha well, and I have
increased the number of the sections. The species I
have actually diminished from eighty-one to seventy-
nine, although several had been added to those in the
Prodromuses, and I have added half a dozen myself.

I should have written to you long ago, but as you
would always have news of me through Hooker, and I
had nothing special to say, I refrained. It is always a
pleasure to hear from you, and I have no idea that our
long correspondence should drop. I should have seen
more of you and Mrs. Bentham (and my wife, too,
regretted much), but you were much laid up with
that sciatica, and we were dreadfully pressed at the
last. Could we have had this winter in England, as
we had at first hoped, it would have been well.

Torrey made me a visit in January ; is well and
happy, except that he gets only odds and ends of time
for botany, and so cannot do anything to much pur-
pose. The Eriogonea3 being a pet group of his, and
his old sketches very useful in my elaboration, I have
joined his name to my own in the paper I am now
printing.

At the wonderful rate you are going on you will
soon complete the "Flora Australiensis." Happy and
fortunate man that you are, both in the faculty of
accomplishing work and in having your whole time for
just what you want to do.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U. S., February 15, 1870.
MY DEAR CHURCH, — My good wife has just handed
me these sheets for Mrs. Church, and if it were not
just on post-morning I should gossip with you, I sup-

602 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1870,

pose, to the extent of a sheetful, and send you our
hearty thanks for your most kind and welcome Christ-
mas letter, — the acknowledgments for which have
been deferred too long already.

For myself, I have had three or four delightful
weeks out of our short winter vacation, which have
been given wholly to botanical work in my study.
But this week begins again my round of official
duties, to continue till July.

I rather weary of it as I grow older ; and still more
I grudge the time. I could now, I see, make fair ar-
rangement for relinquishing a large part of my work
in the university if there were some one ready to come
in as a colleague or suffragan. But the person wanted
is not to be found, and it will take a long while to
hatch and raise one. We shall see.

I keep up all my lively interest in English affairs.
But I do not get the items of news now as early as I
used to do when the "Gardener's Chronicle" had a
news-sheet attached. I do well enough in the scientific
line, however, as I see both " Nature " and the " Acad-
emy." The former should bear for its motto "Natura
non facit saltum ; " it does not jump at once to per-
fection ; the articles are many of them rather weak
and washy. The " Academy " in its way seems better.
The " Athenaeum " (which I hope will revive, now that
Dixon is out of it), the " Saturday Review," and the
" Pall Mall Budget " come to us in our book club,
after a while, in our turn.

So Temple, having carried his point, is now mak-
ing his over-active opponents look a bit foolish by
preaching earnest orthodox sermons. And Gladstone
has done a (to me not unexpected) thing which grati-
fies his friends here, in giving to Mr. Eraser the see

JET. 59.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 603

of Manchester ; I had not heard of the death of the
former incumbent when the news of this offer came.
What a run Gladstone is having in the way of church
patronage ! Then the memorial from both universi-
ties themselves for the abolition of religious tests !
How you are getting on ! And how are you to manage
to secure proper religious influence at the universities ?
By moral power and the strength of your cause alone ?
which may, after all, be more truly effective than
statutes. Yet there will be natural anxieties.

Pray give me, now and then, an inside view of what
is going on, or better, what is thought.

Why, here is my sheet filled and nothing said.
I have nothing to tell you from here — nothing worth
sending you. I don't think much of Lowell's " Cath-
edral." The grotesque bits are not in half as good
keeping as the gargoyles and other queer pieces of
ornament on the old cathedrals.

CAMBRIDGE, April 4, 1870.

I have for a long while been wishing and endeav-
oring to write to you, but it is not so easy, so many
other letters have to be written, to answer letters from
persons that I don't particularly care for, as to leave
little time for those that I do.

I owe you for two very interesting letters ; for it
was a hurried note of mine that we need not count,
which crossed yours of February 4, and then there is
your later one of March 1, along with Mrs. Church's
to my wife. I leave it for her to tell you about the
novelists. And I have not much to say of myself. I
have pottered all winter over the herbarium and upon
an article for our " American Academy's Proceed-
ings," of a wholly technical nature, which is just in

604 TEA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1870,

the printer's hands. I am about to begin another, —
a study of another group of North American plants ;
but the professional work absorbs so much of my
time and energy that it will, I know, make no great
progress until July brings a long vacation. And then
I may have my hands full, somewhat as yours will be,
superintending building. I have my church to enlarge.
I need a lecture-room here on the spot, and a students'
laboratory in connection with it ; and I have a plan
for this, to form a wing to the herbarium building,
and a fair prospect that I may get it done. We shall
see before long ; and if the means are forthcoming, I
will soon let you know, with all the details. . . .

The last " Spectator " received gives an abstract of
Gladstone's and Forster's Irish Land and Education
bills, and of the general favor they were received with
upon their introduction. To have almost satisfied all
parties and interests is really a wonderful and a most
unexpected achievement. You ought to be proud of
Gladstone, and well satisfied at having inevitable and
great changes wrought out under so strong a ministry,
and so high-minded a leader. Courage, earnestness,
and high principle here are seen to command success,
in Parliament at least. How anything will work in
Ireland remains to be seen. But don't think as some
of my English friends do, that the Irish are incapable
of good things. The race over here, as a general
thing, develop at once what they seem to lack at home,
thrift, and with thrift come order and respect for
law.

I happened to be in Boston on St. Patrick's Day,
and was stopped in my carriage while a very long Irish
procession passed. They were mainly of the more
well-to-do sort, no doubt ; but they had made them-

*;T. 59.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 605

selves so. Probably nearly every one of middle age
was born in Ireland, and would have been a peasant
laborer at home, very likely ill-conditioned enough.
They were, however, in holiday attire ; still they were
fair representatives of the race, and I wished we could
send them over to you for a day, as specimens of what
may be made out of such material, under circum-
stances, not altogether the best, but much better than
those at home. They are not the best element of our
population, certainly, but they make by no means a
bad lower stratum, out of which many show a truly
Yankee-like aptitude for rising. They are almost all
Romanists, to be sure ; and there is an element of
danger. But the influence of the priesthood is much
tempered (as witness how they ran into Fenianism,
against their exhortations) and in most respects is far
from bad. The Germans are counted as a much
better population, but they are quite as clannish, and
in the towns are rather disposed to be actively anti-
Christian.

By the way, I met some time ago Mr. Stanley,
who has been in the country before ; is now on his
way round the world via California, a favorite route.
He is, or was, an M. P., a son of Lord Stanley of
Alderley, an Oxford man, bright, sharp, and very
talkative. He is a specimen of ultra-secularistic
liberalism, I should think, of a set that will be apt to
give you some trouble hereafter, in the questions that
are to come up ; if I do not misjudge him, one who
thinks the world, or at least England, has not much
farther use for distinctive Christianity ; just one of the
sort you must have had in view, in yours of February
4, as extremely generous " in making free with what
other people value, and you don't care for." Most

606 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1870,

uncivilly, I fear, I fell almost into a wrangle with him
directly. He even seemed to think us on the whole a
bigoted set here in Cambridge, — rather a novel view
to us. . . .

Well, I must break off.

Our spring is tardy, after a wintry March. Only
snowdrops yet out in the Garden, and those in the
sunniest place, a lot which I brought with me from
England. For primroses we have to look into a cold
frame, in which they, with violets, have been blossom-
ing all the latter part of the winter.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

November 15, 1870.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — Many thanks for your
most kind letter of the 24th October. Taken along
with one from Mr. Bentham of about, the same date,
it gives me tidings of several of our French confreres,
who are now in such great tribulation. What a
change since last year, since last summer even ; and
for Mrs. Gray and me, how fortunate that we had our
visit made and over before the deluge ! And what
can be the end, and when ? It is useless to conjecture.
And now there is fear that while Germany is holding
the Gallic wolf by the ears, — a situation growing daily
more uncomfortable and dangerous for Prussia, and
England is left quite alone, — - Russia is to take a step
forward in the Black Sea, etc., which will greatly vex
England and Austria, and perhaps send the torch of
war all over Europe ; and if all closes up soon Europe
will feel this powerful Germany. But it may be the
better for Switzerland, whose danger is always from
France. It used to make me uneasy and indignant to
see the French flag on the shore of your Lake, where
it has no business to be !

JET. 60.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 607

The Caruel 1 pamphlet reached me to-day. To the
first question the answer is simple and easy. About
the second, there is perhaps more to be said. As the
publication of a name without a character goes for
nothing, why should the dubious proposal of a name
with a hypothetical character go for more? And
suppose the suggested character does not prove true,
and a genus afterwards be founded well upon the
same species with a good character, and under another
name, must that give place to the conditional name,
etc.? Vain the endeavor to settle every such little
question by the terms of any positive enactment.

One thing I see, that is, that our solitary point of
disagreement will erelong disappear. The fact of
the publication of a certain name, at a certain date
and a certain place, being the main thing, the form
(and I add the agent) of publication being a subsid-
iary consideration, I think you will come to agree
that, e. g., names proposed by Fischer and published
in his name by De Candolle, must be said to be
Fischer's, and cited, in the last resort, as, e. g., " A.
dasy glottis, Fisch. in DC.," just as I write "Phlox
rigida, Benth. in DC." For all the rest, I think I
agree with you fully. I perfectly agree that, e. g.,
" Diceratium Lag." is correct only as a generic name,
that " Sect. Diceratium DC." is the only correct way.
I myself and others have not followed this proper
course always in former times ; but should do so here-
after. . . .

Believe me to remain as ever, most cordially yours,

ASA GKAY.

1 Theodore Caruel, professor in Florence.

608 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1870,

TO B. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, October 14, 1870.

MY DEAR FRIEND : . . . I have the hour of leisure
and am in the mood for writing this evening. The
latter I may count on, but the former I cannot, in
these busy and rather distracting days.

On Tuesday evening last I heard Tom Hughes give
a public lecture, the only one he gives in America.
He manfully stood up and turned the tables upon us,
by insisting that the Americans were wronging the
British, by blaming them when they ought to be
praised for their general conduct during the war of
the Rebellion. His lecture was very able and pleas-
ant; and he seemed well pleased, as well he might
be, at the reception of it. He, at least, did excellent
service in our behalf, in our times of trial.

The next evening I met him at the house of a col-
league here in Cambridge, and had a very pleasant
talk with him. On telling him that I came near to
hearing him speak to the electors of Frome, and was
prevented only by the rainy day that made our walk
to Longleat too late, he spoke of you with much in-
terest, and told me, what I did not know, that he was
of Oriel while you were tutor. He is very much
pleased with his trip through the country.

As to the Franco-German war, it is thus far a
succession of wonders, and now when a week passes,
like the last, without any astounding event, one feels
dissatisfied. At first, the crowning and unexpected
result, of judgment overtaking Louis Napoleon here
on the spot, was only to be rejoiced over. And I
think you in England must all be glad to see the vul-
gar Empire vanish in a day, and in the collapse show
how hollow and good for nothing it was in what we

JET. 59.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 609

supposed its strong side, military force and military
ability. But now, it is painful to see France reduced
to such straits, and I long to see peace made with as
little weakening of France as may be. Only, if it
goes on, this chastening, and the effort it may induce
France to make, may regenerate her spirit. But, as
you say, only the prophetic books of Scripture furnish
language in which to express one's feelings and senti-
ments.

"And then this nation will I judge, saith the
Lord" — sounds in your ears, as these vast changes
sweep on.

If I fail to enter wholly into your feelings as to
Bismarck and Prussia, here is Mrs. Gray, who has been
anti-Prussian from the very first, and who shares all
your misgivings, and more. Now, I think it a pity,
and a loss to the world, that the German people should
be broken up into jealous rival kingdoms and little
principalities, always liable to be played off against
each other by outlying nations. I think Germany as
such ought to take its place as a great Central Euro-
pean power. And yet a simple centralized govern-
ment is dangerous ; at best could ill replace local gov-
ernments. So I hope for, and expect, a close confed-
eration of German states, in a restored and efficient
German empire, the states of which will be as closely
united as those of our Federal Union, but yet sover-
eignties in all that relates to internal concerns. I
don't despair of the Germans working out a fairly
successful constitutional parliamentary system, along
with state parliaments, etc., after their own fashion.
And I fancy that a united Germany will tend to
peace in Europe, when one section can no more be
played off against another.

610 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1870,

But what sort of a policy is this which Great
Britain seems to have been pursuing in weakening,
and as if inclined to sever, her connections with her
principal colonies ? Why not contrive some mode of
uniting home and colonial interests, giving the col-
onies imperial representation, or something of the
sort, or somehow be making sure that the men you
will be wanting one of these years shall be sturdily
growing up on these virgin soils, where crowding is
out of the question, and who may feel as they grow
up that they are part and parcel of a strong empire.
For myself, I can't abide the idea of the English
nation ever coming to play any secondary part.

As for ourselves, I feel more and more what a good
thing it is, and what an economy in the long run, to
have no neighbors, but the whole breadth of country
to ourselves, and to be so far away from Europe that
we may look with unconcern upon the rise or fall of
states there, so far as they affect any interests of ours.
That does not prevent our being all alive to events in
Europe, however. The telegraph feeds our lively
curiosity, day by day; but what I write about to-day
will have ceased to interest by the time it reaches you :
perhaps the strife all over there ; devoutly do I wish
it may be.

I see you have taken up " Anselm " again ; and that,
I presume, is the book you are going to send me, and
which I shall be pleased to see.

Yes, you must come over here ; but when you do,
please arrange for time enough. When you cross the
ocean, be sure to stay long enough to get your money's
worth. If it be the summer after next, perhaps we
may cross the continent together, and see the parent
of your Wellingtonia tree on the lawn, and the rest

2ET. 59.] TO JOHN TORREY. 611

of the grove, and visit the wondrous Yosemite Valley,
as yet an arduous journey from San Francisco, but it
will soon be within easy reach.

I see that my writing is very bad, and will stop
short.

Inclosed are seeds of the two passion-flowers which
are so good for showing the movements of tendril,
both the coiling after being touched, and revolution,
etc. Sow in April in your little conservatory, or in
hotbed, and you may have good plants for your pur-
pose in June. The tendrils show off best under a
temperature of 80° or 90° Fahr. P. acerifolia will
give you tendrils a foot long, when in full growth.

I note the uneasiness in England, and the rumors
of difference in the cabinet, — dangerous times for
Gladstone's ministry, but I do hope it will last.

I suppose your church is all in order, and your
cares over as to the rebuilding. . . .

TO JOHN TORKEY.

November 4, 1870.

I have to-day a long letter from Bentham, which I
would send to you, but that it is full of Composite
queries and statements, which I have soon to attend
to. What a worker he is, and what a good one !

At last accounts Decaisue and Brongniart were
drilling. Rather old sojers, I think ! Cosson 1 had
dispatched his wife and daughter and granddaughter
to England, and was communicating now and then
by balloon-post ! Bentham very well, and working
hard at Composite for " Genera." . . .

I have an advanced class this year, and they come

1 Ernest Cosson, 1819-1890. Wrote the Flora of Algiers and the
Flora of the Environs of Paris.

612 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1871,

up here, and take up a vast deal of my time. But it
is enjoyable work, as they are the pick of a dozen out
of fifty or sixty of the preceding year.

March 28, 1871.

... I hope, with you, that the Domingo annexation
will break down. But Grant is working for Cuba
too, and that is worse than the other ; ignorant blacks
are better than Creole Spaniards to deal with.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

February 27, 1871.

. . . There are so many things I wanted to write
about your church (for which it was shabby of me
not to remember and send you a contribution, in a
small way) and the reopening services of which you
sent us a newspaper account; your " Anselm," which
we read aloud in our deliberate way, on successive
Sunday evenings, when not interrupted, and very
much enjoyed ; I think the later chapters most ; per-
haps because we got more interested as we went on,
perhaps, too, the narrative flows on with a more free
movement in the later than in the earlier chapters.
Then there is this wonderful German-French war,
which is only now closing, if it be the close, in such
bitter humiliation of the French as no Frenchman
could ever imagine possible, nor any but a German
contemplate without deep sorrow and pity : all their
hard measures of former generations meted out to
them again, to this one hapless generation, in a way
that till now it could never have dreamed of. For
long years France must play a secondary political
part, which of itself will be a bitter thing, we may
hope a wholesome thing ; and when with long care

^T. 60.] TO R. W. CHURCH. C13

and nursing of resources she recovers, she cannot be
so strong relatively again, while the German empire
holds together. " And I suppose you in England have
a good deal of misgiving as to what this Germanic
power portends. Perhaps the next great wonder, and
surely the best thing, may be a great defensive alli-
ance of English-speaking people round the world,
which would render any European continental changes
less momentous.

It seems to me that the hopeful prospect for
France is in the ascendency, seemingly assured, of the
conservative republicans and the Orleanists. But
there are rumors that even the Orleans family are
falling out among themselves.

As I grow older I can sympathize thoroughly with
a disinclination you may feel as to assuming any new
public duties. The deep ruts which the daily routine
of life has worn for us do become such pleasant paths,
as one ages, that we do not thank anybody for trying
to force us out of them.

Nothing have we heard or seen of Mr. Horner yet :
he has gone South probably, which is wise. I hope
he will come this way in June, when we shall be very
glad to see him. . . .

By the way, I see in " Popular Science Eeview " a
neat presentation of Wallace's points on the limita-
tions of natural selection as applied to man, by
Buckle (I suppose your Oriel friend), who makes the
point very well that these limitations apply hardly
less, in their way, to other parts of the animal king-
dom.

I am too much occupied with humdrum botanical
work to read or think much of such matters.

Have you read or seen Bryant's translation of the

614 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1871,

Iliad ? It was discussed in our club last week by my
neighbor, who read extracts from this, Lord Derby's,
and other translations : it was thought to be as read-
able as Lord Derby's, to adhere quite as closely to the
original, and to reflect more truly the simple direct-
ness of Homer, both of expression and thought. I
should like to know what you think of it.

The most important matter, as concerns myself, is,
that I am busy with plans of building, having found
a man who is disposed to give the money for con-
structing here, adjacent to the herbarium, a much
needed botanical lecture-room and laboratory for stu-
dents. Between the herbarium (which, you know,
adjoins our house, and communicates with it) and the
conservatory, there is a space of 127 feet. This we
mean to fill up : First, with a one-story brick build-
ing 60 X 38 feet, rather less than one half for botanical
laboratory and cabinet, the rest lecture-room ; then a
lobby, and the remainder of the distance a low stove
and a short, cool greenhouse, to establish connection
with our present hothouse. Then, on the one hand, I
can bring plants at all seasons into the lecture-room ;
and on the other I can reach the same under cover,
from my private study, through the herbarium ; and
Mrs. Gray may walk, in winter, from her dining-
room, through our little drawing-room, entry, library
or parlor, my study, greenhouse corridor, herbarium,
lobby, laboratory, lecture-room, passage, stove and
coolhouse, into conservatory, of three compartments,
a long affair, but don't imagine anything at all grand.
A snake, of which our house is the head and the
farthest wing of the conservatory the tail, will give
the best idea. In a lucky time I asked a man to build
in this 127 feet, at an expense of at least twelve

J5T.60.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 615

thousand dollars ; and I am authorized to get plans
and estimates complete, and I suppose it will be done,
though I have no positive assurance of it yet. I
thought you would like to know it, without waiting
till all is absolutely settled.

Here is a second sheet filled : thick paper, too, and
I must cut all short. How I wish we could be with
you in Switzerland next summer !

Ever yours affectionately, ASA GRAY.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

March 10, 1871.

MY DEAR DARWIN, — It is very good of you to
send me, and so kindly address, a copy of your new
book,1 which safely reached me two days ago. I have
not yet had time to read any of it, except the preface
and the ending ; and I do not like to dip into it and
so blunt the edge of curiosity. . So I keep it well out
of sight, not caring to look just yet at any of the
pages which you think likely to " aggravate " me,
until some day I can get a good pull at it. ...

April 14, 1871.

You have such a way of putting things, and you
write in such a captivating way. One can only
say: —

Almost thou persuadest me to have been " a hairy
quadruped, of arboreal habits, furnished with a tail
and pointed ears," etc.

But I have read only the first part of the book
and the closing chapters ; have left all the Sexual
Selection till I can read it leisurely next summer, and

1 The Descent of Man.

616 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1871,

have lent it to a judicious friend, who has just re-
turned it.

I have been besought to write notices of the book,
but I decline. You don't know how distracted I am
in these days, — doing the work of professor, gardener,
builder, financier, and what not, all at once.

But I must not let this mail pass without sending
you the little I could get as to Laura Bridgman.

Through Dr. Jarvis, a medical man, etc., I got the
queries put to the woman who has now the personal
charge of Laura, and he brought me the inclosed,
which I think I should not much rely on.

When Dr. Howe is on hand, some day, I will see
if I can get anything authentic and particular, — not,
I fear, in time for you.

TO CHARLES WRIGHT.

CAMBRIDGE, June 28, 1871.

. . . Well, I say the same as then, only I feel sad
about the chance of the " Flora of North America."
What is my bete noire, as I said before, is the care of the
Garden ; and till I can get rid of that, by some com-
plete reorganization, which shall result in the Garden's
being much better seen to than it has been, — better
taken care of and better named up and superintended,
— I shall not be comfortable nor of much use in writ-
ing " Flora of North America."

I am going to try if I cannot find or make some sort
of superintendent, and pay him out of what I pay for
rent of house, and have succeeded in getting credited
to Botanic Garden fund. This will leave me to pay
for work in the herbarium (which is the work you pre-
fer) out of the only $ 800 a year yielded by herbarium
fund, which has first of all to pay for books, paper,

MT. 60.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 617

fuel, and freights, — in short, most of it, and some years
all, — must come out of my own pocket, until I can
find somebody who will endow a curatorship. Or else
I must put this work in the herbarium on to my assist-
ant, Farlow, who, however, will have his hands full
enough without it.

As to the way you are doing up Cuban botany, I
do not find fault with it. I think, with you, that you
are doing about the best possible thing under the cir-
cumstances. The only thing that you may justly
complain of me for, I think, is my sensitiveness and
pooh-poohing new-species-making in families where
old species are yet all in a jumble, and where I have
thought that you could not yet tell what were new
and what old. I dare say I have been too impatient
about it, and I see I have hurt your feelings some-
what, which I am sorry for. I only meant, take
time and pains to clear up the old ones in the books,
and get a better assurance, if you can, about the pro-
posed new ones. But, after all, it is wrong and fool-
ish in me to worry myself, or you, about them.

You will have more experience of the sort, in the
working up of your San Domingo collection. But if
we can get time to refer doubtful cases to say Oliver
at Kew, and some one at Paris (where they have
many old San Domingo plants), I suppose you may
get them pretty straight. . . .

TO R< W. CHURCH.

September 10, 1871.

I have addressed the envelope for this letter before
writing it, determined to use once more the familiar
superscription. The official may bide its time.1

1 Mr. Church had been appointed dean of St. Paul's, London.

618 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1871,

Only yesterday we learned of Gladstone's doings
by a newspaper slip sent us by a friend who knew of
you through us on the Nile, Mrs. Rowland. • But I
had a sort of premonition of it and was on the look-
out. . . .

I do not know where the Deanery is, — not in so
attractive a situation as Whatley Rectory, one may
safely say. But I suppose you are not expected to
reside there in summer, that you will be fairly able to
have some country quarters to your liking. And there
is Switzerland always within reach. Happy mortals,
who can reach the Alps within forty-eight hours, and
with only a narrow, though proverbially nasty, bit of
water to cross ! But what we hope to gain from this
upturning is to see you over here. When Mr. Horner
returns (we have heard nothing since they vanished in
the West) he will tell you it is no formidable matter
even to cross the continent. At least you can come
and see us, make us a long visit, and be as quiet
here as in a Swiss wayside inn, and sally forth upon
an excursion when you like.

Please thank Mrs. Church from me for thinking of
us, and writing the very next day after this anxious
matter was concluded. It is wonderful she could find
time, with so much to do and to think of. And such
a full account of the Swiss journey, too.

I owe you letters, too, — one at least lies reproach-
ingly in a drawer of my table, where it was thrust a
long while ago along with many others which could be
postponed ; but once postponed it is not easy to over-
take them.

Say to Mrs. C. it is not a part of our house which
was moved ; that would not have been difficult, for it
is of wood (though the herbarium, etc., adjacent is of

^T. 60.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 619

brick). It must have been the Law School the mov-
ing of which Mrs. Gray was describing. Tell Mr.
Horner that, like some other things, when once you
have seen it done it ceases to be wonderful or even
difficult.

As to my lecture-room, etc., all work stopped for
near a month, including the fortnight or more when
I was away ; and now (September 11) all has been
clatter and hurry for the last week or so, and they
really seem determined to fulfill the terms of their
contract, to finish by the 15th instant. They cannot
do that ; but I trust the workmen may go out with
the month. These cares of building have sadly inter-
f erred with scientific work all summer. I have accom-
plished very little of what I intended. I attended,
and, when the last year's president retired on deliver-
ing his address, presided over, the American Associa-
tion for the Advancement of Science, twentieth meet-
ing, at Indianapolis, capital of the State of Indiana, —
a journey of forty-eight hours, in very sultry summer
weather, over long stretches of country. I broke the
journey by a day in New York, to see two sons of
Mr. Darwin just as they landed, and by a three days'
stay, including Sunday, with my old friend Mr. Sulli-
vant, in Ohio. The meeting was a pleasant, though
not especially interesting one. I met botanical corre-
spondents of many years' standing whom I had never
seen. At the close we were invited to make an excur-
sion to the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, which I
counted on seeing. But I found that the excursion
was to be an overcrowded one. ... So I hastened
homeward, and was with Mrs. Gray at Beverly Farms,
where she had been passing holidays at Mrs. Loring's
at the paternal homestead on the seashore, — a place

620 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1871,

that you have heard us talk of not a little. . It is de-
lightful. I know nothing to give you so good an idea
of it as the Devonshire coast, there being plenty of
wood quite down to the water. Were we there now,
Miss K. and Charles Loring would, I know, charge
me with messages.

I must tell you that the Scientific Association is in-
vited to meet at San Francisco, California, next sum-
mer ; and that we have fixed the meeting there condi-
tionally, that is, in case the Californians care enough
for our presence to transport a certain number of our
representative men free of cost, or nearly so, across
the wide continent. If not, we are to meet on the
northern part of the Mississippi, — at Dubuque, Iowa,
far enough west in all conscience, but a place from
which we may easily reach the Falls of St. Anthony
and Lake Superior. I must needs attend, as I shall
have a retiring address to deliver. And though I
can ill spare the time or afford the expense, yet Mrs.
Gray and I are longing to see California. What say
you and Mrs. Church about joining us for your next
summer's vacation ? The mountains which form the
sides of the Yosemite Valley will hardly offer as
many kinds of flowers as the alpine turf of the Riffel-
berg, but they may be more novel to you. . . .

On December 15, 1871, Dr. Gray wrote to Presi-
dent Eliot, after describing formally the completion
of the new buildings, and something of the history and
arrangement of the department, the following letter :

... I beg to add, for your consideration and that

of the corporation, a few words of a personal character.

With the present academic year I shall have com-

JET. 61.] TO PRESIDENT ELIOT. 621

pleted thirty years of service in the professorial chair
to which I was called in the spring of 1842. The
Garden, which had been under no professorial care
for years, and which has since had a long and hard
struggle for existence, the conservatories, the her-
barium and its library, both steadily increasing, and
now the lecture-room, laboratory, etc., make up an es-
tablishment which has grown by degrees into one which
requires much time, care, and anxiety to administer,
and for which I have now done the main part of what
could be expected of me or any one man. The ex-
perience of the last and the present year clearly shows
me that the work of instruction, steadily increasing
in its demands under the present system, weighted
more and more with the load of administration, is
more than I can carry on. I have some warnings, be-
sides, of the increase of years, which I ought to con-
sider ; and I definitively propose to lay down, at the
close of the present academic year, as large a part of
this load as I possibly can without serious prejudice
to this department and this establishment. I suppose
that either the duties of instruction or of administra-
tion, beyond that of the herbarium, must be entirely
surrendered. If I can be spared, and if what I could
do for the herbarium could be reckoned an equivalent
for rent of the house I reside in, I should crave to
resign both the charge of the Garden and of the pro-
fessorship. There is reason to think that the time is
at hand when changes such as are here suggested may
be propitiously made.

When I came here, in 1842, I was carrying on and
publishing a most important original work, the " Flora
of North America." I have worked on it from time
to time, but I never have been able to publish any

622 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1872,

more of it. And now what was done has all to be
done again, and carried if possible to a completion ;
and there is no one else to do it if I do not. My
educational books, or most of them, require to be re-
edited ; and I fail to find time and sufficient freedom
of mind for the undertaking. If I could accomplish
these tasks, or a good part of them, I am of opinion
that I should in consequence be able (as is especially
my desire) to do a great deal more for the university
and the permanent interest of this establishment than
I can expect now to do, as at present situated, even if
it were possible or probable that I could so continue
for any length of time. I am,

Very respectfully and truly yours,

ASA GRAY.

TO JOHN TORREY.

CAMBRIDGE, January 4, 1872.

DEAR DOCTOR, — I have a horrid cold, which
makes me unwell.

I write a brief line, in response to yours of yester-
day, mainly to say that I fear I disagree with you
about the reply to be made to Wilkes's urgent request
to print the manuscript of the Oregon collection of
Wilkes' Expedition.

It was prepared to print long ago ; is not your fault
that it has been delayed so long. The library com-
mittee have a right to print it, and might do so with-
out your corrections if you decline to make any. We
want the plates, which are now thrown away, and
must be published. I would print in the form of a
naked list, — except where remarks and descriptions
are still wanted, — and to make all right and sure,
and to relieve you, I, with Watson's kind help, will

^T. 61.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 623

fix it all up for you and read the proofs once, and so
save you the worry. And I urgently request you to
send this line to Professor Henry, as embodying my
opinion, and my offer of help.

I am sure that if the rest of my manuscript is called
for, I shall turn it over with satisfaction, though the
same applies to it as to yours. And I should either
alter accordingly or add notes.

The rest of your letter I will respond to in due
time.

But I feel concerned to have those Oregon plates
out.

I think I have some right to, as I paid for one
hundred of them ; but that is no matter. They are
now neither published nor unpublished, which is a
bad state of things.

Dr. Gray had the manuscript prepared some years
before for the second volume of the " United States
Exploring Expedition," and notified the library com-
mittee that he was ready for publishing. Meantime
came the war, and there was no money or thought for
such things. When the country was again quiet and
prosperous, the library committee who had formerly
known and been interested in the work and its print-
ing had passed away ; there was no one to care for it,
and the manuscript was never called for.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

CAMBRIDGE, March 7, 1872.

Mr. Packard, one of our best entomologists, a most
excellent and modest man, has asked to be introduced
to you, that he may pay his respects.

I shy or refuse such applications generally, saying

624 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1872,

you can rarely see visitors or callers. But Packard is
" fish to your net," has his head crammed with facts
bearing on derivation, is a disciple of the Hyatt-Cope
school, that you may have heard of, — people who
have got hold of what they call a law, though I do
not see that they contribute any vera causa at all.

If you will turn the world of science upside down,
you must expect that people will wish to see you. . . .

May 31.

By the hand of an old correspondent of yours, and
cousin of ours, Mr. Brace, I send you a little book,
which may amuse you, in seeing your own science
adapted to juvenile minds.1 In some of those hours
in which you can do no better than read, or hear read,
" trashy novels," you might try this instead. It will
hardly rival " The Jumping Frog," and the like speci-
mens of American literature which you first made
known to us. ...

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

BOTANIC GARDEN, June 10, 1872.

MY DEAK DE C ANDOLLE, — You must set me down
as a faithless correspondent. Your pleasant letter of
April 6, from Paris, has been long upon my table, and
I think there is one of older date somewhere below.
But all this spring I have been so overworked that I
could respond only to the most necessary letters of
business, duties of my professorship, of the Garden,
and many other things. Well, my lectures are over,
and for the ensuing year I may hope for some emenda-
tion. I give up the superintendence of the Botanic
Garden, which has become a great burden, and I
1 How Plants Behave.

^T. 61.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 625

nominally devolve other university work in part upon
an assistant, surrendering at the same time a part of
my salary, hoping thereby to purchase time. We shall
see if it be possible. But I have to begin with a new
assistant, who will need training ; but will then, I
hope, take much off my hands. My youthful assistant
of the past two years goes in a week or two to Europe,
to study in some German university for a year or
two ; to Strasburg, I think, unless he first should go
to Sweden, and there study Algae, with Agardh, if he
will receive him. He takes a fancy to lower Crypto-
gamia. His name is Farlow, an honest, good fellow.
He will most likely be in Switzerland in the summer ;
and I shall give him a letter of introduction to you,
whom he will wish to know. But take no trouble on
his account, except to introduce him to Dr. Miiller,
from whom, as a working lichenologist, he could learn
much.

Well, Mrs. Gray and I are going to set out, two
weeks hence, for California. We both need the change,
and are curious to see the country, having never seen
even the Mississippi ! The scientific meeting was to
have been . held there ; but there is now a hitch about
it. We go, however, at all events, and expect to pass
a month in the Yosemite Valley, and elsewhere in the
mountain region. I wish you were here to go with us.
Hooker was counted on to go with us ; but the very
bad state of his mother's (Lady Hooker) health, and
the state of affairs at Kew prevent it. ...

I hope soon to receive your " Melanges historiques,"
which are sure to interest me. If I can I will write
you a long letter from California, or Utah, or the
Rocky Mountains ! — more interesting than this scrawl
from yours ever, ASA GRAY.

626 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1872,

TO JAMES D. DANA.

June 22, 1872.

MY DEAR DANA, — I fancy you have got hold of
a good topic for your handling, and have a promising
inquiry before you, in coordinating cephalization and
natural selection as operative on the nervous system
of animals. I expect you to get something interest-
ing out of it.

But every now and then something you write makes
me doubt if you quite get hold just right of Dar-
winian natural selection. What you still say about
struggle not applicable to plants makes me think so.

Suppose the term be a personification, as, no doubt,
strictly it is. One so fond as you are of personifica-
tion and good general expressions ought not to object
to what seems to me a happy term.

Speaking from general memory, I should say that
the term, as used to express what we mean, was intro-
duced by the elder De Candolle and applied in what
I thought a happy way to the vegetable kingdom. I
cannot drop it because you say there is no struggle
where there is no will ; perhaps you mean without con-
sciousness, and then the field of struggle will be much
limited. But call the action what you please, — com-
petition (that is open to the same objection), collision,
or what not, — it is just what I should think Darwin
was driving at. Read " Origin" (4th ed.), pp. 72, 73,
and so on, through the chapter, especially pp. 81-86.

This is enough to show you that when you speak of
" Darwinian struggle " as occurring only " when the
faculties of an animal are called into requisition," you
take too limited a view of what Darwin means.

For myself I should say that the faculties of the
lowest animals and the faculties of plants were

JET. 61.] TO JAMES D. DANA. 627

equally called into requisition in the case, in a man-
ner so parallel that there is no drawing any but a
purely arbitrary distinction between the one and the
other.

I conceive one as effective as the other as regards
the leading on and fixing variation.

When I say now again that the expression " fitted
by its regional development to the region " conveys no
clear meaning to me, I am only telling you, as I did
before, my way of looking at things, not finding fault
with yours.

By the way ; " variation (inherent) in particular di-
rections," is your idea and mine, but is very anti-
Darwin. Good-night. A. GKAY.

Dr. Gray greatly enjoyed his visit to California,
with the long overland journey thither. It was an
ever-renewed excitement to see plants growing which
he had seen only as dried specimens, and the conduc-
tor of the train was at last almost in despair at the
scattering of his passengers to grab what they could
in the short halts, as they became inspired by seeing
Dr. Gray rush as the engine slowed, to catch all
within reach. Then when in motion again the speci-
mens were brought from all sides to see what they
were. And the preparing and drying went on to the
wonder of some and the interest of all.

His ascent of Gray's Peak was made a great occasion
in the neighborhood. A large party gathered from
Georgetown and Empire City, and started the after-
noon before, after having been most hospitably dined
by Judge McMurdy, in Georgetown ; the night was
passed in a mining-tavern cabin, and the ascent,
some going on horseback, some on foot, was made the

628 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1872,

next morning. Speeches were made on the summit,
and resolutions passed to confirm the names Gray's
and Torrey's peaks given in 1862 by Dr. Parry, who
was himself happily with the party. The ascent is
not as difficult as in most mountains of that height, as
one can ride on horseback to the top in August, when
the snow lies only in patches ; the trail is mostly over
the rough shale, and for a month or two the summit,
though over 14,000 feet, is almost bare. The view of
the innumerable peaks is very magnificent.

At Dubuque he was the guest of an old Fairfield
comrade. As the retiring president of the American
Association he gave his address,1 written mostly in
the cars on the long overland journey, in which he
explained still further some of his long-meditated
conclusions on the distribution of the flora of West-
ern North America.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, October, 1872.

MY DEAR CHUKCH, — I promised to myself, if I
did not to you, that I would write you from the other
side of this continent ; but writing and journeying are
incompatible, at least in case where the time for the
one is too short for your undertakings. But now we
have been a month at home, and more ; the accumu-
lation of things to be seen to is worked off or nearly,
and I mean now to tell you something of our sum-
mer's doings.

As soon as we were free we set out. ... At Chi-
cago we had two nights and a day in which to see
the desolated and fast rebuilding town. From this

" Sequoia and its History ; the Relations of North American to
Northeast Asian and to Tertiary Vegetation," in Darwiniana, pp. 205-
235.

MT. 61.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 629

place, over a thousand miles west of Boston, we made
our proper start. ... A welcome rain cooled the air
and laid the dust that morning, and not a drop more
of rain did we see, any more than in Egypt, from that
day onward, until, six or seven weeks later, we were
back at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains,
when there was an evening thunderstorm, and the
next morning I called Mrs. Gray to the window to
see a novel sight, — the streets dripping and muddy !
I wish I could describe to you our journey, and the
sort of life we were leading. But if I go into par-
ticulars there will be no end.

At Omaha we were on the Pacific Railroad proper,
and soon upon the plains, at first the larger part culti-
vated, but barer and drier as we advanced westward,
and ascended imperceptibly ; so that the next twenty-
four hours brought us, with some fine views of the
range, to the foot of the Rocky Mountains and a
height of 5,000 or 6,000 feet above the sea; that after-
noon over the Black Hills of the Platte, 2,000 or 3,000
feet higher, and the highest elevation of the road, —
higher than the passes through the Rocky Mountains
beyond, — and at nightfall we were traversing the wide
grassy Laramie Plains, a vast, sequestered sub-alpine
meadow. And when I rose early next morning, we
were running through a dry desert " sage brush "
(wormwood) region (desert, except for the botanist, —
the first plant I saw and clutched proved to be
Grayia), the scanty waters of which run into the
Colorado of the West and the Gulf of California.

Another twenty-four hours, through grand scenery,
brought us, after three nights in our car berths, to
Ogden, on Salt Lake, where we took a branch road
and, skirting the lake along the whole eastern shore,

630 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1872,

reached Salt Lake City, the Mormon town, before
sunset. Here we passed two nights and a day, and
enjoyed scenery worth crossing the ocean for, and saw
something of the strange life of the district.

Back to Ogden ; two more nights and days, one long
day crossing the Humboldt desert, rendered passable
only by the Humboldt River, which, though the
ragged mountains all run north and south, yet runs
from east to west and marks its course by a narrow
line of greenness, and at dusk we saw its end in the
Humboldt sink, a lagoon without outlet on the west-
ern verge of the basin, against the Sierra, the arid
side of which we were ascending all night, to awake
among pine forests at sunrise ; to breakfast upon the
very summit soon after ; to descend through most
striking scenery into the great valley of California,
and, traversing that and the Contra Costa range, to
see the head of the Bay of San Francisco at dusk ; to
cross the bay in a steam-ferry, and reach our hotel in
San Francisco at ten p. M., — a journey full of interest,
not a bit monotonous or dull, from first to last. There
were fatigues and small discomforts, of course, but
these are all forgotten long ago, and the whole transit
dwells in memory as one continual and delightful
piece of pleasant, novel, ever- varied, and instructive
sight-seeing. Of course the identifying at sight, as
we flew by, of flowers new to me in the living state, and
the snatching at halts, and the physical features of
districts which I had always been interested in, and
knew much about but had never seen, all gave me
occupation and continual pleasure. But it was much
the same with all the party. Even the return jour-
ney was hardly less interesting. . . .

From Dubuque we took steamer up the Mississippi

^T. 61.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 631

River, through its finest scenery up to St. Paul, Min-
nesota ; saw the falls of St. Anthony and Minne-
haha ; thence, while the rest of our party essayed Lake
Superior, Mrs. Gray and I returned home by rapid
stages.

I have only to-day finished the study and laying
into the herbarium of specimens I gathered and dried,
regretting the while that I did not collect more speci-
mens and many other species, as I might have done.

Tyndall is in Boston, and I trust will be with us
next week. I have not yet seen him, nor Froude, nor
even MacDonald, the third lecturing notability in
Boston.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

CAMBRIDGE, October 6, 1872.

You delight me by your promise to take up Dio-
naaa and Drosera now, and I imagine you as now
about it. Good ! And I am so glad you will take
that opportunity to collect your botanical and quasi-
botanical papers. These, with the Dionaea, etc., will
make a nice and most welcome volume.

In answer to your query, I think I can " support
the idea," or the probability of it, " that tendrils
become spiral after clasping an object from the stimu-
lus from contact running down them." For though
some "tendrils do become spiral when they have
clasped nothing," others do not. The adjustment of
the unstable equilibrium is more delicate in the
former, so that it starts under some inappreciable
cause or stimulus. That the stimulus may be so pro-
pagated downward is clear in the sensitive plant,
where the closing of the leaflets in succession will fol-
low the closing of the ultimate pair under slight and

632 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1872,

local irritation. And in the tendril the coiling below
is just a continuation of the same movement or same
change as that which incurved the tip in clasping,
that is, a relative shortening of concave or lengthen-
ing of the convex side of the tendril. Would you not
infer that the action was propagated downward ?

So you were astonished at Mrs. Gray's audacity.
Well, " toujours 1'audace ; " she is all the better for
it. Some horseback work in getting to and into the
Yosemite Valley was severe, but she bore it so well
that I ventured, when we made our detour into the
Colorado Rocky Mountains, to take her up to the sum-
mit of Gray's Peak, 14,300 feet, or thereabouts, where
she acquitted herself nobly. The day was perfect, the
success complete, and the memory of it one of the
most delightful of the many pleasant memories of the
whole journey. Our great trip was tjie round from
San Francisco to Mariposa Grove, Yosemite Valley,
entering over Glacier Point, from which (tell your
sons) is a new trail down the 4,000 feet into the
valley ; made excursions from the valley during several
days, and returned by a long sweep through the little
Tuolumne grove, round foothills to Murphy's and the
Calaveras Grove, and so back to San Francisco.
Afterwards Mrs. Gray and I went to Santa Cruz and
up the San Lorenzo Valley among noble redwoods,
rivaling the Sequoia gigantea. On return we made
one stretch to the east base of the Rocky Mountains,
then down to Denver, and up into the mountains, to
8,400 feet, where we had a pleasant week or more (just
the climate to give strength to an invalid), whence
I climbed a high mountain or two, among them Gray's
Peak, the highest, as already mentioned. Thence we
came down to Dubnque and hot weather, on the Mis-

^T. 62.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 633

sissippi to St. Paul and St. Anthony, etc., and then
home by rail, having been twelve busy weeks away.

Well, we are longing to do it again, and more!
But I am settling down to my work as well as I may,
well content with the summer's holiday.

December 2, 1872. ,

Well, it is wonderful, your finding the nervous sys-
tem of Dionsea ! ! ! Pray take your tune next spring,
and do up both Drosera and Diona&a. I will endeavor
next spring to get hold of Drosera filiformis and make
the observations. I will also do better, by sending
your note on to Mr. Canby, who lives near its habitat,
and has done something already in such observations.

As to coiling of tendril. I think your idea is that
in the coiling of a fixed tendril, one coil has its con-
cave side the opposite of the part that has coiled the
other way.

Now take a piece of tape say a span long ; black
one side, let some one hold the two ends while you
twist in the middle. The two halves are coiled in
opposite directions, just as a tendril which has caught
does. The same color will be on the outside of the
coil all the length.

Blacken with a stroke of paint a line along the
whole length of a caught tendril. On straightening
it out the black will be all on one side.

I have not had time to follow it up, and need not,
since you are sure to do it. But I think it clear that
one and the same side is concave, that is, the relatively
shortened side, the whole length of the caught tendril.
Do not you ?

Mrs. Gray is absent while I write, or she would add
her best regards and best wishes to my own for a
happy New Year to you all.

634 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1873,

TO C. W. ELIOT.

BOTANIC GARDEN, CAMBRIDGE, January 1, 1873.

MY DEAR PRESIDENT ELIOT, — Will you kindly
present the inclosed communication to the corpora-
tion at its next meeting.

I need not say to you that I could not take so seri-
ous a step as this without much consideration, and
that I would not do it if I were not confident that the
department which I have served in the university for
almost thirty-one years need not now suffer by my
withdrawal. I am warned also by growing experience
of the fact that the needful work which I could for-
merly do with ease can now be done only by effort,
followed by exhaustion and other unpleasant effects,
which may be expected to increase ; and it is clear
that I have left to me, at best, barely time enough,
when rigorously economized, to complete the works
for which I have long been pledged, and without the
accomplishment of which my life will have been
largely a failure. The corporation will perceive that
I do not intend to be idle, but to concentrate what
energies remain to me upon the kind of work for
which I am best — and indeed peculiarly — fitted,
both by disposition and by more than forty years of
preparation. As this work proceeds, the herbarium
of the university, always requiring attention during
its continued increase, will be put into the condition
in which I should leave it, with its value greatly
enhanced. In view of this, and of the fact that
the herbarium forms an important part of the appa-
ratus of instruction here, I trust the corporation
will think it reasonable to allow me the possession of
the house I live in, in recompense of my services as
curator of the herbarium.

*:T. 62.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 635

I offer my resignation unconditionally, that the
corporation may have, as it should, the whole matter
in its hands without embarrassment. If it be desired
to keep my name for the present upon the catalogue,
and especially if the corporation should prefer not to
place a permanent incumbent just yet in the Fisher
professorship, I would in that case take the liberty to
suggest that the present very capable and efficient
assistant, Dr. Goodale, be made adjunct professor of
vegetable physiology, with salary assigned from the
Fisher professorship. I remain, dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours, ASA GRAY.

Messrs, the President and Felloivs of Harvard College :

HONORABLE AND DEAR SIRS, — The time has
arrived when I may, as I think without detriment to
the university, retire from the professorship to which
I was appointed in the spring of 1842 ; and I hereby
tender my resignation of it, to take effect at the close
of the present academic year, when I shall have com-
pleted thirty-one years of service.

I trust that I may still be useful to the university ;
and if agreeable to the corporation I should like to
continue to be Curator of the Herbarium. With sin-
cere regard, I am your obedient servant,

ASA GRAY.

BoTAinc GARDEN, CAMBRIDGE, January 1, 1873.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, January 14, 1873.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — I am much and long in
your debt, — all the more by your agreeable letter of
the 16th ult. . . .

Let me note points in your letter. Your volume of

636 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1873,

" Melanges," etc., has not yet come to hand, — but it
is sure to come in time through the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, and will be received with welcome. I will see
to the reproduction of the article on the Dominant
Language of the Twentieth Century, — English of
course. I am glad you will make a full index of the
" Prodromus " quoad Genera. I wish it had been
species, also !

Glaciers in California ! Why, there is a fair rem-
nant of one now, on the north side of Shasta, — and
more in the southern part of the Sierra ; and as to
glacial marks, the geologists note them abundantly.

I am glad you saw much of Mr. Adams at Vallon.
Madame A. is the more of a talker, is she not? Or,
perhaps she does not speak French. Adams is vice-
president of our American Academy ; and is, I hope,
presiding this evening at a meeting which I myself am
not well enough to attend. I hope he will become
president, for I mean to retire in May. . . .

Dr. Parry passed last summer in the Colorado
Rocky Mountains, where Madame and I visited him,
in his cabin ; and we ascended Gray's Peak together
(14,400 feet). Torrey, old as he is, was there later,
but did not get up the twin Torrey 's Peak, though his
daughter did surmount Gray's Peak. . . .

Now about myself. In what time I can save I am
assisting Brewer in the " Flora of California," and
shall do for him the Monopetalae, and finish next
summer, if my health does not fail.

Moreover, this is my last year of university work. I
finish in July, and then resign, and give my remaining
time to the " Flora of North America." Although it
is so arranged, it is not yet to be announced. It is
difficult to drop at once the many things I have charge

^T. 62.] TO - — . 637

of, and the vast correspondence all over the country,
which has been very useful to me, and others, but
which takes a deal of time. But I am making a fairly
good beginning. Mrs. Gray delights with me in the
prospect of release from many a care, and of devoting
myself without distraction to the work I have always
liked best.

I really hope it is riot too late to do something (a
few lines from you upon this subject might, entre
nous, be useful to me).

TO .

CAMBRIDGE, May 18, 1873.

... I cannot object to your maintaining the hy-
pothesis that each and every existing plant and animal
form has been directly created (or mediately created,
if you see a difference) out of the soil, pure hypothe-
sis though it be, and one which " from the nature of
the case can never be directly proved." It is natural
that you should hold to such hypothesis as long as you
believe it to be possibly tenable.

But what I may ask you very seriously to consider
is, whether you are prepared to bear the responsibility
you assume in maintaining and teaching that no hy-
pothesis of the derivation of existing " specific " forms
from previous ones more or less like them can logi-
cally be theistic and religious. How far any such
hypothesis may be probable or tenable in view of the
evidence is not the question raised, but a far more
momentous one.

Consider what the " younger men who learn of you "
will be likely to think when they come to discard, as
the best informed ones probably will after a while,
your scientific views on this subject ; but still, per-

638 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1873,

chance, confide in your dictum that the doctrine of
the derivative origin of one species from another can-
not logically stop short of "blank materialism, de-
structive both of science and religion, and even . . .
to morals and social organization." .

There will be " a heavy penalty to pay," but there
are two sides to the question as to who is to pay a part
of it. What I said in the last paragraph of the
Dubuque address " we need not here consider " l is,
nevertheless, worthy of consideration.

The time is not very distant, I imagine, when those
who have protested against such reckless statements
will be thought to have done some service to religion
as well as to science.

I trust that the foundations of theism and of the
Christian religion rest upon firmer foundations than
the so-called " immutability of species."

1 " An able philosophical writer, Miss Frances Power Cobbe, has
recently and truthfully said : —

" ' It is a singular fact that when we can find out how anything1 is
done, our first conclusion seems to be, God did not do it. No matter
how wonderful, how beautiful, how intimately complex and delicate
has been the machinery which has worked perhaps for centuries, per-
haps for millions of ages, to bring about some beneficent result, if
we can but catch a glimpse of the wheels, its divine character disap-
pears. '

" I agree with the writer that this first conclusion is premature and
unworthy, I will add deplorable. Through what faults and infirmi-
ties of dogmatism on the one hand, and skepticism on the other, it
came to be so thought, we need not here consider. Let us hope, and
I confidently expect, that it is not to last ; that the religious faith
which survived without a shock the notion of the fixity of the earth
itself may equally outlast the notion of the absolute fixity of the
species which inhabit it ; that in the future, even more than in the
past, faith in an order, which is the basis of science, will not, as it
cannot reasonably, be dissevered from faith in an Ordainer, which is
the basis of religion." — "Sequoia and its History," in Darwiniana, p.
205.

as-r. 62.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 639

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, June 12, 1873.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — I must be in your eyes a
disgracefully negligent correspondent and an ungrate-
ful friend. I think, however, that I must have ac-
knowledged the arrival of your volume which I received,
I think, in March, — more likely late in February.
The attempt at a perusal of it was when, on the 12th
March, I went on to New York to pay the last duties to
my venerable and good friend and associate, Dr. Tor-
rey. I read a good part of the volume on the railway
journeys, and planned a review of several of the
articles. Then, a month later, I broke away from my
laborious life here, and made a visit to my old friend
Professor Henry, at Washington. I even went as
much farther south, to Wilmington, North Carolina,
where I met the spring in all its beauty, a month in
advance of our tardy north. I collected a lot of live
Dionaeas, etc. I returned to a great accession of
university work, my assistant being obliged to leave
me on the 1st of May.

To return to your volume : I called Professor Hen-
ry's attention to it, as one which would all through
interest him much, if ever he finds time to read it.
He will translate the article on the Language of the
Twentieth Century for his Report, and perhaps others.

At a time when I was already overloaded, the death
of dear Torrey has thrown some cares and extra work
upon me. I have to carry through the press a report of
his upon the plants collected in west North America, in
Wilkes's Expedition, which was drawn up, but never
really finished, twelve years ago, and was called for
just during Torrey's last sickness, and to his annoy-
ance, which I felt bound to relieve as well as I could.

640 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1873,

Then, six weeks or more ago, died my next oldest
friend and companion, Sullivant, making a sad spring
and giving me a needed warning to make haste. He
again leaves two unfinished works which I must see
to, though Lesquereux will, I trust, edit them. Of
one, indeed, he was to be joint author. The other,
a second volume of the beautiful " Icones Muscorum,"
is ready as to the plates, but not at all so, I learn, for
the letterpress.

For myself, as I think I have already told you, this
summer completing thirty-one years of professorial
work in the university, I am relieved from further
duties of instruction, — and of my salary. I shall not
experience the full relief until the very close of sum-
mer. For, in the interest of this department of the
university, and to leave it in proper working condi-
tion, I have undertaken a course of what we call
university lectures, — meaning lectures intended the
rather for others than members of the university, —
and have opened the botanical laboratory to pupils,
mainly teachers in schools, for the summer.1 Consid-
erable time must be given to them, but, after a few
weeks, I hope to throw it mainly upon my assistant,
Professor Goodale.

Professor Goodale, under appointment as assistant
professor of vegetable physiology, will take the whole
work of instruction in botany off my hands ; but if a
former assistant and pupil, Dr. Farlow, now with De
Bary, proves capable of it, as I hope, he will, I trust,
take up the work in systematic botany. His fancy,
however, is for Cryptogamia.

Mr. Sereno Watson is the only one here to do work
in systematic botany, but he will not teach. He and

1 This was the beginning of summer schools in Harvard University.

JCT. 62.] TO W. M. CAN BY. 641

I are endeavoring to help out Professor Brewer in
the " Flora of California," which, to be done at all,
must be pushed through at once. I have promised to
do the Gamopetalse, which come in the field I am
striving to cover for the " Flora of North America."
That work I hope now to give myself to.

I ought to have taken this step several years ago ; but
I could not afford it, and it is only now that I have been
able to bring the department here into the position in
which I feel justified in resigning the care of it. I
retain the charge of the herbarium, and I continue my
residence in the house which is connected with it.

Dr. Torrey's herbarium and library were made over
to Columbia College, and will be kept up, although no
professor will be appointed at present.

Mr. Sullivant's bryological collections and library
are to come here.

I send you by mail a copy of my biographical no-
tices of Torrey and Sullivant ; both from " American
Academy Council Report of Proceedings," and both
printed in advance, in " Silliman's Journal," where
you will see them.

By the way, I have resigned the chair of the Amer-
ican Academy, after ten years' occupation, and it is
taken by Mr. Adams, whom you know. The third
class (classical and historical) takes its turn.

TO W. M. CANBY.

CAMBRIDGE, June 30, 1873.

MY DEAR CANBY, — My Diona3as grow finely, and
are the delight of my heart.

Drosera longifolia, also cultivated, is almost as good
a fly-catcher.

Now and then I see a little exudation inside base of

642 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1873,

hood of Sarracenia flava, which answers to what my
Southern correspondent pointed out ; but is not very
inarkedo . . .

CAMBRIDGE, July 7.

... I have also seen here that water is secreted in
the pitcher of Sarr. flava before the lid is open.

But I have also seen some time ago, when the
weather got rather warm, very minute globules like
finest dew on the erect part of the lid, near base, in-
side. And, lately, during the very warm days, I found
in some this increased, and the droplets running to-
gether into a clammy exudation. But I want to see
more of it. I shall watch, as I get a chance, and the
weather gets hot. Look at yours. See if there is
anything of the sort in S. purpurea ; I think not.

I have not the book yet. But I somehow under-
stand that this exudation on the lid is mentioned in
the English translation of Le Maout and Decaisne's
" General Treatise of Botany ! " The French has it
not. Very likely it has been found out by Darwin,
who finds out everything !

. . . Conundrum? Why does the Dionsea trap
close only part way, so as to cross the bristles of edge
only, at first, and afterwards close fully ?

Darwin has hit it. I wonder you or I never thought
of it. A. G.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, October 27, 1873.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — If I were a better
correspondent, I should have long ago thanked you
for your interesting and welcome letter of August 11,
from Samaden. I was in the Engadine when last in
Switzerland, and got near the top of Piz Langarde>
when a storm drove me back.

MT. 62.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 643

Your announcement leads me to expect soon the
new (and alas, last !) volume of the " Prodromus."
Well, it must give you a huge sense of relief to have
it off your hands; something like the relief I now
feel at the termination, at the close of thirty-one years,
of my professorial duties, upon which you felicitate
me. On account of a summer course of instruction,
which I felt bound to initiate for my successor, I did not
really close my labors until the end of July. Since then
I have been able to work at systematic botany very
steadily. We took, my wife and I, a holiday of a
fortnight, in which we visited friends on the Hudson
River and its tributaries, at the close of September,
just as the foliage was beginning to display the bright
autumnal tints, which this year have been unusually
gorgeous, and have not yet disappeared, although the
leaves are now falling fast. The sight is most enjoy-
able to me in the earlier autumn, when the verdure
still prevails and makes a setting for the red, yellow,
and russet.

I am now deep in the Composite for the " Califor-
nia Flora " of my friend Brewer, and so am trying
Bentham's work. It generally holds good, — wonder-
fully so, considering its extent, and the comparatively
short time he took for it.

Your agreeable volume of " Miscellanies " is now
in the hands of your old friend and my neighbor,
Jules Marcou ; who asked to borrow it, having been
unable to purchase a copy. It is reported out of print.
I think I sent you a light article I wrote for the
" Nation " last summer, — I believe in June, — in which
I gave an abstract of your essay on the Dominant
Language of the Twentieth Century. It has attracted
considerable attention. I see that those who have

644 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1873,

studied the subject think that the increase of pop-
ulation in North America is not to go on at the rate
it has been going ; that the check is already apparent.

A week or two ago appeared in the " Nation " an ar-
ticle (sent to you last week by post), in which I had
occasion to notice some other parts of your volume,
at considerable length. I have also been tempted to
give some account of your essay on Natural Selection
as applied to man ; but I find it would take me too
much out of my own line, and absorb time which I
cannot spare. Indeed, I have only looked over that
essay, and am not qualified to abstract, still less to
criticise it. The longest article of the volume, which
gives the title, I have not given as much attention to
as I ought, probably, or I should perhaps value it
more highly. But it seems to me that membership in
scientific academies — the three you take not ex-
cepted — is so largely affected by circumstance, irre-
spective of talent and of the value of work done, that
one cannot very confidently base general conclusions
upon the data. Yet I have no great confidence in my
opinion. Anyway, the article is full of interesting
matters. . . .

What do you and Dr. Miiller say to Bornet's
memoir, on the nature of lichens? His exposition
is so clear that, if he is an honest and good investi-
gator, — as I cannot well doubt, — his conclusions
carry conviction.

My sheet fills, and leaves now barely room for Mrs.
Gray's messages of kindest remembrances to yourself
and to Madame De Candolle, in which I beg to join.
Long may you flourish, and much good work yet
do. For one thing, pray print the list of botanical
names ! Ever yours, A. GKAY.

^T. 63.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 645

November 26.

. . . I am going this morning to witness the nuptials
of my colleague and friend Professor Sargent and a
charming young lady of Boston ; and, on the chance
of their having a day in Geneva, I wish to introduce
the happy couple to you and Madame De Candolle.
They will tell you much of me, and of the satisfying /
and I trust useful sort of life I am now leading.
Some evidence of renewed botanical activity in the
form of a couple of botanical papers just issued here,
too bulky to send well by post, I will cause to reach
you by way of Paris.

Professor Sargent is given to horticulture and
arboriculture. He not only takes charge of the uni-
versity Botanic Garden, but also of a recent and
noble foundation for an arboretum, from which much
may in due time be expected.

It is most pleasant and hopeful when, as in the
present instance, a young man of means and best
social position chooses to devote his time and energies
to practical scientific ends, rather than to business or
pleasure. You are more accustomed to that at Geneva
than we are here in America.

I know that, before this can reach you, I shall have
occasion to write to you, and to announce the recep-
tion of the last volume of the " Prodromus," now on
the way to me. So I have only to add that I am
always Very sincerely yours,

ASA GRAY.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

May 12, 1874.

... I sent to Hooker to forward to you two articles
in the " Nation," on Insectivorous Plants, written to

646 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1874,

reclaim your work from Bennett, who began to ap-
propriate it, etc., etc.

It is already leading to discovery. A physician in
Carolina, a good observer, already writes me that in
S. variolaris, the best of Sarracenias, he thinks he
finds the watery liquid anesthetic (??) and the sweet
secretion not. But he says there is a line of sweet, a
trail, running from the sweet rim down the edge of
the wing outside nearly to the ground, which lures up
ants (with which Wyman tells me the pitchers are
crowded), just like the train of Indian corn which
hunters scatter along the ground to lure wild turkeys
into the trap ! Does not that beat all !

Also my articles here resulted in the discovery re-
lated in the paper inclosed. The take-off of Thom-
son's germs from another planet is good.

June 16.

. . . The gratification I feel in learning (by yours
of the 3d) that you are pleased must, I am sure, ex-
ceed any satisfaction of yours in regard to my sub-
dued and quiet article in "Nature."1 Lockyer, to my
great surprise, applied to me for it, and of course
I could not refuse. I think it will generally be re-
garded by scientific people as just and moderate.

Odd that you should not have recognized my hand
from the first in the " Insectivorous Plants," writ-
ten, in fact, to vindicate your rights. The papers
called forth a second hoax, as elaborate as the first,
and much better done. I have no idea who wrote
them.

You must, meanwhile, have received the article in
the " Nation," reviewing Dr. Hodge's " What is Dar-
winism ? " You see what uphill work I have in

1 "Life of Charles Darwin," in Nature, June 4, 1874.

^T. 63.] TO CHARLES DARWIN. 647

« making a theist of you, " of good and respectable
* standing."

Do hurry up the book about Drosera, etc. My
plants of Sarracenia variolaris, having lost their
spring growth in transmission, have not yet made any
that is satisfactory. So I begged Dr. Mellichamp,
who had sent me leaves with gorge sanded over at the
sweet-secretion part, to send some for the trail. He
wrote me it was too late in the season ; they were all
drying up. But this morning, with the inclosed postal
card, came several with the sand sticking fairly well to
the glutinous line, and I send you one of them. I wish
I could send you Mellichamp's long letters, about the
two sorts of larvae, that appropriate, one the upper,
one the lower part of the pitcher.

My wife (who sends her love to you and yours) is
much amused by your backgammon reminiscence. For
the year past we have a way of getting on most peace-
fully. I sit by her side and play solitaire with two
packs of cards, she looks on and helps, and when we
don't succeed there is nobody to " flare up " against
but luck. Ever yours, A. GRAY.

P. S. — I think I never sent you my felicitations
upon your election as Foreign Honorary Member of
American Academy Arts and Sciences.

We are proud to number you among the seventy-five
(too many). And, I may tell you, only two negative
votes were cast, one by an Academician who made a
speech on the occasion, to which nobody vouchsafed a
word of reply. A. G.

CAMBRIDGE, June 19, 1874.

MY DEAR DARWIN, — Your second letter reached
me last evening, and this morning came from the

648 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1874,

publishers some copies of the number of "Nature."
You seem as pleased and are as ingenuous as a
maiden when she first finds out that she has an ad-
mirer !

Now I am a little vexed, as I am apt to be when I
let anything be printed without reading the proof my-
self. Some one has doctored one sentence, and made it
say the contrary to what I wrote, and to what is true ;
I make the reclamation on a separate sheet : and also
another, which may be typographical, but which I am
confident I could not have written ; I surely wrote
" to many," not " in many."

My claim for you about teleology I have made
several times, in " Silliman's Journal," l and else-
where. It is a matter on which I have a good deal
insisted. Yours affectionately, ASA GRAY.

P. S. — My point (which is blunted) was to show
how very near Brown came to " hitting the nail on
the head " without hitting it, striking wild instead !

A. G.

TO W. M. CANBY.

July 6, 1874.

I am glad if you have Darlingtonia in a state to
examine. I have some young leaves growing, which
show nothing yet. Mellichamp will send me a paper,
which I will read at Hartford next month. Won't
you post up Darlingtonia also — getting what you
can from Lemmon. He has not written to me about
it. My young fish-tails show no exudation yet ; and
they are colored like the rest of the leaf.

Ever yours, A. GRAY.

1 See vol. xxxiv. n. ser., November, 1862, pp. 428, 429. — A. G.

^x. 63.] TO W. M. CANBY. 649

BOTANIC GARDEN, July 8, 1874.

DEAR CANBY, — Yours of 7th instant received. I
thought you had live Darlingtonia. Of ours the old
plant has died after starting three new offsets. But
the growing leaves are small. If it goes on I may
do something. Thus far I have detected no water in
the tubes, nor any sticky secretion. But I shall slit
one soon. Make notes for Hartford.

You have not guessed the conundrum, though you
have made a step in distinguishing the two different
movements. 1 11 tell you. It is to strain out the small
flies. Do you take ? Or want details ? I send you
Darwin's late letters, — one came this evening. We
have lost all those Pinguiculas.

Can we get any from Wilmington now ? Are there
any near Dr. Mellichamp ? You may forward Dar-
win's last letter to him and set him to observing, —
collecting and preserving leaves with insects stuck
fast, and margin turned over. See if ours turn over
the edge !

How does D. find out they digest ?

July 14.

When Dionaea is irritated by a small fly, he has
plenty of time to escape through the meshes, and the
leaf soon opens, ready for better luck next time.
Think what a waste if the leaf had to go through all
the process of secretion, etc., taking so much time,
all for a little gnat. It would not pay. Yet it would
have to do it except for this arrangement to let the
little flies escape. But when a bigger one is caught
he is sure for a good dinner.

That is real Darwin. I just wonder you and I
never thought of it. But he did.

650 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1874,

Pretty good, — the solar protector ! So Fendler is
near you. Remember me to the good fellow.

I wish he had let Cosmical Science alone! But
now he never will, and is a gone goose.

Ever yours, A. GRAY.

Dr. Gray, being sent away for a cough, made a
journey to Apalachicola, Florida, going by Washing-
ton, Augusta and Tallahassee, of which and his suc-
cessful search for Torreya he wrote a lively account
for the " American Agriculturist," republished in
his " Scientific Papers," selected by C. S. Sargent.

He was especially interested in seeing Torreya, a
fine tree named for his friend Dr. Torrey, which is
only known in one or two localities in Florida, on the
banks of the Apalachicola River ; and with some
trouble he found it growing, and had the satisfaction
of hoping that it was valued enough to be preserved.
There is a second Torreya growing in Japan, a third
Torreya in California, and a fourth in China. " But,"
as Dr. Gray says, "any species of very restricted
range may be said to hold its existence by a precari-
ous tenure. The known range of this species is not
more than a dozen miles in length along these bluffs,
although Dr. Chapman has heard of its growing
farther south, where the bluff trends away from the
river."

He went to Stone Mountain in Georgia, a curiously
bare, immense mass of stone, one side too steep to
climb, but having in clefts some rare plants growing.
From Chattanooga he made an excursion up Lookout
Mountain, interesting from its reminiscences of " Sher-
man's March," and also the habitat of some rare plants
he was so fortunate as to find.

*rr.64.] TO W. M. CANBY. 651

TO WILLIAM M. CANBY.

BOTANIC GARDEN, March 13, 1875.

MY DEAR CANBY, — I do not get on, and shall not
in this melting snow and bad season.

I yield to advice, and Mrs. Gray and I are going
South, — I do not know where, but somewhere, taking
my vacation now instead of in summer. I want to
find now — and reach comfortably — what we have
here at the first of June.

You know somewhat of the South ; I think I should
like best to get to Apalachicola and St. John's River
and see Torreya. But it seems far off.

I want to recruit, and to be good for something,
which at present I am not !

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,
WASHINGTON, April 25, 1875.

MY DEAR CANBY, — Well, we have got back
again, so far ; and here, I think, we shall stick for a
few days. Had we anticipated so much cold and
backwardness, we should have stayed south longer.

Apalachicola was heavenly. But at Macon, coming
north, we struck the cold wave ; came on by Atlanta
(Stone Mountain), Chattanooga (roots of Silene
rotundifolia), and thence via Lynchburg straight here.
I found Torreya, and had a good time with it. Lots
of detail to tell you. . . .

I am lazy in traveling, or I would have written you.
Then I have been pretty busy, too, and have done
several hard days' work, causing much but healthy
fatigue.

CAMBRIDGE, May 8.

We are at home, with delightful memories of you
and yours.

652 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1875,

I think I hinted to you that I found two Cras-
sulaceae on Stone Mountain, both annual.

One, most abundant on the lower slopes, is glaucous-
green, and has bright white flowers. The pods show
it to be a true Sedum. I send a small specimen.
Note the blunt pods and short style. This — as shown
by a bit of fruit in my herbarium — is Sedum pusil-
lum, Michx. !

The other is dull purple in general hue, smaller,
grows only well up the mountain, abounds in a small
form on the very top, and is rather later ; but I
make out the dehiscence, and it is Diamorpha pusilla,
Nutt. !

The specimens you sent to me are this, larger and
later than any I got. But, as you directed me to the
base of the mountain for Diamorpha, you must have
got this too. Your specimens have full-grown fruit.
Look at them and see if the larger ones have not the
regular dehiscence down the side of Sedum, and let
me know.

May 12, 1875.

Thanks for your letter and the Sedum.

Now for another find. The moment I set eyes on
the Arenaria of Stone Mountain, I said, Ho ! here is
A. brevifolia, Nuttall, of which I had only a single
stalk in herbarium. Comparing now, I was right, and
Nuttall says his specimen is from Tatnall County
(which is strange, that being in southeast Georgia).
The question remains, Is it only a low-country form
of Arenaria glabra ?

Your specimen — with fruit — and M. A. Curtis's l

1 Moses Ashley Curtis, D. D., 1808-1872. Born in Charlestown,
Mass. ; early removed to the South ; lived near Hillsboro, N C. His
botanical studies were largely on Fungi.

JST. 64.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 653

from the mountains of Carolina, being in the same
state, compare pretty well. I should unite them, only
the seeds are different, Stone Mountain plant half the
size, and shape rather different. But please rattle me
out some real ripe seeds of your plant, for further
comparison.

At Stone Mountain I looked rather for small spe-
cimens to match with A. brevifolia. I send you a
bit.

I have sent the Sedum and Diamorpha yesterday to
Paris, to compare and see if both are in Herbarium
Michaux.

I am proud of my little discovery !

Ever yours, ASA GRAY.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, June 22, 1875.

I must indulge, on its rising, the impulse to com-
municate with you, which a letter from Miss P. to my
wife, just received, has awakened.

If I go on as I have been going, we shall come to
know nothing of each other. . . .

She will have told you of our loss in the death of
Mrs. Loring. I never knew a woman fuller of charity,
humility, and good works.

If there were time for a gossiping letter I or Mrs.
Gray would give you some account of a trip which we
made to Florida this spring. An annoying cough,
and a chronic catarrh, — the consequence of a trying
winter, acting upon old susceptibilities, — distressed my
friends more than it did me. So, yielding to their
solicitations, off we went, about the middle of March,
to Washington, visiting old friends ; to Augusta and
Savannah, Georgia ; and thence Apalachicola, a now

654 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1875,

almost deserted, but once flourishing town, on the
Gulf of Mexico. We met the spring in Georgia ; in
Florida we were in early summer, about like our own
middle June.

The botanizing was delicious, very many nice things
which I had never seen growing before ; our quarters
comfortable, and the fare exceptionally excellent.
East Florida, which has large hotels, was full of in-
valids and pleasure travelers, making a crowd not to
our liking. I had special botanical objects leading
me to west Florida, an out-of-the-world region, where
we had everything to ourselves. We were late for
the oranges, gleaning the last half dozen from the
trees of our friends. My throat is so sensitive that I
dare say we shall need to go again next March, and
earlier than before. So, if you will arrange to join
us, I can promise you a pleasant time, and a real rest.

October 11, 1875.

What a capital article it is which your friend Lord
Blachford has published in the " Contemporary " for
September, on Huxley's Automata hypothesis !

It is long since I have read anything which pleased
me more.

Do you know who is P. C. W., in Article 6, of the
same number? He makes one suggestion of some
value, that I some day want to follow up.

I am grinding away at my work in the usual man-
ner. We are just in the* glory of the glowing au-
tumnal foliage, and making ready for winter. If
health holds out, here we expect to remain, at least
till spring. . . .

JET. 64.] TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT. 655

TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT.1

BOTANIC GARDEN, July 1, 1875.

DEAR MR. WRIGHT, — Thanks for your letter. It
may be that the time has come in which a collection
of my popular articles on Darwinism, etc., would be
useful.2 Your thinking so would go far to make me
believe it. But then, you are one of the moderate
number of people who have carefully read them, and
one of the few who well understand and appreciate j
them, — because you have given the subject an atten- )
tive consideration, — and who are awake to the harm
that comes from theologians and ministers denoun-
cing a view that scientific men are more and more
receiving as probably true. I should like to know
how Professor Park regards the proposition.

I will say that while I am not unwilling to collect
them for reprinting, in case they are called for, it would
not quite do for me, in the position I occupy (I mean
as a man of science), to republish them in a collected
form, without entering anew and further into some of
the pending questions ; to do which would seriously
interrupt the legitimate work which I have in hand,
and to which I am deeply pledged. I suppose I could
add, and should be disposed to add, a note or two, —
especially one upon teleology from a Darwinian point
of view, — a subject upon which there is something
still to be said, though I do not see the way to say it
conclusively. You will probably do it better than I
ever can.

At present, I think I should let them alone, unless
there comes what you ministers recognize as a call for
them, and such a call I should defer to.

1 Rev. G. Frederick Wright, then a clergyman at Andover, Mass.,
now professor at Oberlin, Ohio.

2 The book was published with Mr. Wright's assistance.

656 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1875,

If such as Professor Park and yourself were to ask
it, I would see if a publisher could be got to take
them up. But you don't know how I dislike to have
my name bruited about.

Dr. Peabody was very glad of the relief you gave
him on Sunday week, and like myself was greatly
pleased with your thoughtful discourse.

August 14, 1875.

. . . The important thing to do, is to develop aright
evolutionary teleology, and to present the argument
for design from these exquisite adaptations in such a
way as to make it tell on both sides ; with Christian
men, that they may be satisfied with, and perchance
may learn to admire, Divine works effected step by
step, if need be, in a system of nature ; and the anti-
theistic people, to show that without the implication
of a superintending wisdom nothing is made out, and
nothing credible.

Now for a month or two, I am pressed by daily
technical work to the extreme, and get no chance to
turn these matters over in my mind.

I don't want to handle this argument in such a way
that it can be gainsaid, nor without touching the very
point. May I ask you to help me ? You see how the
question stands. How shall we best handle it ? . . .

September 14, 1875.

... I have been crowded and much absorbed with
my part of the California botany ; get put back, by
new collections, and have had the printer on my
heels, which is not pleasant.

I have to drive with all my might, and am not yet
clear, though I trust the worst is past. I get so fagged

^T. 65.] TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT. 657

that when I sit down to Darwin's "Insectivorous
Plants," by way of relaxation, of an evening, I fall
asleep over it. And so have not finished that book
yet, as it cannot be read with the eyes shut. I put off
thought of all but my daily work till my task is done.

I thought I might have got up to see you, but I
cannot now.

I see in the last " Nation " an article, which was
evidently to have been continued, by Chauncey Wright,
in which he points out clearly the essential difference
between Darwinism, which is scientific, and Spencer-
ism, which is " philosophical." Save the mark !

Poor Wright, — your namesake — died suddenly of
apoplexy, Sunday morning. He was a stanch Mill-
ite, and very acute and clear-headed.

September 15.

... A minister out in Illinois has written me, tak-
ing me seriously to task for altering my opinion after
the age of forty-five, and for abetting disorder, by sup-
porting theories that disturb the harmony of opinion
that ought to prevail among scientific men.

He is one of those people who think that if you
shut your eyes hard, it will answer every purpose;
indeed, from the ease with which he confutes Darwin-
ism, I suppose he finds no call even to shut his eyes.

November 10.

. . . Species, as I have said (in " Silliman's Jour-
nal " articles) are not facts or things, but judgments,
and, of course, fallible judgments ; how fallible the
working naturalist knows and feels more than any one
else.

That the pages of a Flora or Fauna should give

658 TEA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1876,

the idea of fixity and clear limitation which does
not well or wholly represent the reality, is natural
enough; is, indeed, inevitable. The object in these
works is to set forth the differences, and put them in
the strongest and clearest light, so that the forms may
be readily discriminated. The nearer two forms are
alike, the more pains the naturalist takes to set forth
the differences, while the likeness " goes without say-
ing," and is therefore overlooked by the outsider,
though it may have been almost an even chance that
the describer merged the two in one.

The thoughtful and experienced naturalist does not
get a wrong impression from all this, but the out-
sider almost certainly will. A. G.

January 14, 1876.

DEAR MR. WRIGHT, — Thanks for your line of the
8th.

By this week's " Nation," 1 you see that, long as
the talk is, I have not yet touched the critical ques-
tion, nor have I yet got an opportunity to apply myself
to it. But I hope to do so soon.

Meanwhile, the number of the " Westminster Re-
view," which you called my attention to, has passed
through my hands in our book club, and I shall soon
have it in my hands again. It makes a very strong
presentation, and the question is, how its points are
to be met on purely scientific grounds. If I can meet
them fairly, and reestablish the evidence of design on
the basis it ought to stand upon, I shall be satisfied
and happy. Anyway, it is a help to me to have this
able presentation brought before me. . . .

1 Review of Darwin's Insectivorous and Climbing Plants, in The
Nation, Nos. 549 and 550.

^ET. 66.J TO JOHN H. REDFIELD. 659

May 21.

... I have here and there seen references to St.
Augustine as maintaining views of indirect creation,
such as now would be termed, or might be termed,
evolutionary. Can you conveniently put me in the
way of understanding his ideas? It is matter for
you to work up in your article on Calvinism and Evo-
lution. . . .

December 20.

. . . Do you see No. 1 of the new agnostic weekly,
"Evolution," and its review of " Darwiniana " ? It
insists that such a world as ours is too full of imper-
fections to have had any intellectual originator. . . .

TO JOHN H. REDFIELD.

July 1, 1876.

DEAR KEDFIELD, — I doubt if you know that the
late John Stuart Mill, the philosopher, was a keen
botanist. His herbarium, rich in European plants
and with a good many Indian, etc. (small specimens
from Royle, etc.), was given by his stepdaughter to
Kew. But Hooker asked leave, after taking a certain
amount, to present the rest to me, with leave to choose
where all I did not care to have incorporated in the
herbarium here should go to. I think it should go
to a public herbarium, and as I think the Academy's
is not supplied well with European species of at all
recent date, or recent collecting, perhaps it should go
to you. . . .

TO MBS. GRAY.

June 11, 1876.

... To get my train yesterday I had to leave the
house at one. Dom Pedro till sixteen minutes of that,

660 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1876,

with Eliot, A. Agassiz, and two Brazilians. They came
to the house, the door being open, and I received them
in the library. . . . Sargent was with me to take him
off my hands when I had to go. We treated him
as we should any gentleman, though I believe I once
addressed him as Your Majesty when flourishing the
poison-bottle under his nose. He is a large, square-
built, good-looking man of about my age, I think.
Never did I have more questions to answer in ten
minutes, nor questions more direct and to the point.
Taken into the herbarium, he recognized what it was,
complimented me by saying that my name was a well-
known one (I suppose Agassiz had put him up to
that), and I returned by saying that, in at least one
case, we were members of the same botanical society.

" How many species of plants have you specimens
of?" About 65,000.

" How do you arrange them ? " Cases opened, and
I began to show him.

" Please let me see some plant."

I pulled out the genus cover first at hand, which
happened to be European Saxifrages; opened. He
took up a sheet.

" Saxifraga irrigua, European. I do not want to
see plants of Europe. Let me see an American
plant."

I took another cover and showed Saxifraga peltata
of California.

" Have you Sage-brush? " Yes.

" Let me see Sage-brush."

I took him across the room to the Artemisias, and
showed him, first, the one he saw so much of en route
to California ; second, the northern one to which
Lewis and Clark gave the name at first.

JET. 65.] TO MRS. GRAY. 661

"How do you prevent insects from destroying
them ? " They are all poisoned.

" What do you poison with ? " Corrosive sublimate
dissolved in alcohol.

" How do you use it ? "

Here I ran off and brought back the poison-bottle,
and applied the liquid to a specimen under the impe-
rial nose.

I then ran off to set down the bottle in a safe place
on the middle table, when he followed me up and asked :

" How strong do you make the solution ? "

I gave him the answer as well as I could, when he
turned to one of his suite : —

" Please write that down."

And it was done accordingly. In the library I had
displayed, enough to attract the eye, the bound vol-
umes of " Flora Brasiliensis," which he glanced at,
and asked : —

" Have you the work on the botany of the vicinity
of Rio Janeiro ? "

I answered, Yes, thanks to Mr. Agassiz, — to whom
the emperor had given it.

But he seemed uneasy until he saw it, and I put
two of the folio volumes into his hands, which seemed
to satisfy him.

Then, as he was passing on to the lecture-room, I
slipped off. At head of Common, in Boston, I met C.,
who told me Dom Pedro was down at his museum at
TJ A. M. C. was not going to Hunne well's. . . .

I amused them with the account of the conversa-
tion with the emperor.

The rhododendrons, and azaleas too, most splendid.
Nothing like it at Philadelphia. The best as well as
the most he ever had.

662 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1876,

TO R. W. CHURCH.

August 3, 1876.

It is very good of you to write to me. I was about
to drop you a line by the next post, when yours of the
21st came in.

My special object was to tell you that I have just
had addressed to you, through the New York publish-
ers, a little book, made up of scattered papers on Dar-
winian topics, which some of my friends thought it
might be useful to collect. I somewhat mistrust their
judgment, but have yielded to their request. There
is nothing new in the volume, except a short essay on
the hypothetical duration of species, and a rather long
one at the end, upon teleology as affected by evolu-
tion, which I should be glad to have you read, and
should like to know whether you think it hits the
mark.

I have no idea who P. C. W. and the Westminster
Reviewer may be, but I suspect they are one and the
same. If you should know, please inform me. . . .
Yes, it has been warm enough, and it was unceasingly
so for twelve days. Mrs. Gray rushed to the sea-
shore at Beverly ; but I mainly stayed at home, kept
out of the sun all I could, and rather enjoyed the heat
than otherwise. But at the end I broke down ; came
all at once upon the novel sensation of being an old
man. And so we hastened up and concluded an ar-
rangement which had been left loosely and vaguely
under consideration, viz., to revisit for myself, and to
introduce Mrs. Gray to, the higher Alleghanies in Vir-
ginia, Carolina, and Tennessee, where I used to roam
and botanize more than thirty years ago. We expect
to set out in two or three weeks. It is not Switzer-
land, but it is a region of mountains, dells, and rills,

JET. 65.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 663

and forests, which I have been longing to revisit. Oh,
that you could be with us ! Two botanists will join
us at Philadelphia, and perhaps a third.

Among the very few copies of my " Darwiniana "
which I have sent to England is one to the editor of
the " Spectator," whose ideas fit in with mine well, as
I judge from reading the paper regularly. Do you
know him ? He is a very broad churchman.

I am just beginning to print a portion of my new
" Flora of North America." There can be no going
to Europe for me till this volume or half volume is
off my hands.

Dr. Gray enjoyed greatly the journey through the
North Carolina mountains, and the traveling and ac-
commodations were almost as rough as in the journeys
thirty-three and thirty-five years before. The people,
still cut off from the lower lands by roads that were
mostly only used for horses, and where one traveled
sometimes two or three days without meeting a
wheeled vehicle, were very plain and primitive in
their ways, and one had to depend at times on their
hospitality for accommodations. But the scenery is
striking and beautiful, and the forest unsurpassed for
the magnificence of its grand trees, rich in variety and
beauty. The party went first to New River Springs,
then to the French Broad Hot Springs, and round
by a rough journey to Asheville, then far away from
railroads, where they were joined by Dr. and Mrs.
Engelmann, and continued through the mountains to
Cesar's Head, whence they made their way by rail-
road through South Carolina and Georgia to Jones-
boro ; from Jonesboro going up Roan Mountain, a
camping-out excursion.

664 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1876,

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

Decembers, 1876.

. . . Curious that one species should take pains to
close fertilize some flowers, the other to cross all. . . .

Now I want to beg of you to consider about a name
for this kind of thing, on which, as a good judge, you
could consult Bentham, or indeed, Hooker, if he can
give it attention.

This matter will need to come into generic or spe-
cific characters, and therefore wants a terse and un-
ambiguous mode of expression in a single word.

My old expression thirty or so years ago, " dioecio-
dimorphous," you reasonably objected to? implying
separation of sexes (which, though, it need not do).

Yours of " dimorphous " should be, as the lawyers
say, void for vagueness, there being plenty of other
kinds of dimorphism in flowers.

Hildebrand's, of " heterostylous," the difference
being in other things as well as style, and, I think,
possible sometimes not in the style. The term will
not work well in characters, whether in Latin or Eng-
lish. I have proposed, accordingly, in a little article
not yet published, to use the term " heterogone," in
other form " heterogonous," in Latin " Flores hetero-
goni," with the counterpart " homogone," " homogo-
nous," " Flores homogoni."

This means, you see, explicitly, diverse genitalia,
and the yov»} is used as in the common botanical term
" perigonium."

TO R. W. CHURCH.

February 5, 1877.

Your friend Lord Blachf ord is an unrivaled expo-
sitor. I have just been reading, with extreme sat-

JST. 66.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 665

isfaction, his article on the Reality of Duty. That
naturally brought you to mind, and I vowed I would
no longer be so negligent, but would acknowledge and
thank you for your letter of August last, and for
Professor Mozley's sermons. They are excellent in-
deed, and it is saddening to have a man of such
insight laid aside by illness, of a sort which probably
does not diminish his desire, but destroys his power,
to work. . . .

I think Mrs. Gray has given some account of our
summer vacation. I long to revisit, those mountains
when the Rhododendrons and Kalmias are in bloom,
and to have your company.

We are just home, Mrs. Gray and I, from a fort-
night with our friends at Washington, — a pleasant
holiday, which of late I have always had at this season,
the time of the annual meeting of the regents of the
Smithsonian Institution, of which I am one of the lay
(i. e., non-congressional) members. It makes a break
in the monotony of our winter, which is far milder
there than in New England, and the society at Wash-
ington is very pleasant. More and more men of mark,
and intelligence, and cultivation reside there, at least
for the winter months. We left on the day when the
contested electoral count began, under the arrange-
ment so happily and hopefully adopted. There is
no excitement, and, outside of partisanship, little care
which way it is determined, but much that it shall be
legitimately determined by evidence, argument, and
a decisive judgment.

I am deep in routine botanical work, and with a
printer not far behind me, I can think of little else.

666 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1877,

TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT.

CAMBRIDGE, April 6, 1877.

DEAR ME. WRIGHT, — What can I ever have said
or written which President Fairchild takes to mean
that I have the preposterous idea that " changes of
environment take place in distinct and definite lines " !
He may well ask if " this is not contrary to all evi-
dence." Even the conception that variation takes
place in definite, or at least not in indefinite, lines
is an idea which is rather thrown out as tenable, and
as inferable from a good many facts, than as anything
to swear by. I think so, yet, I am sorry to say, it is
no part of Darwinism, pure and simple.

Now, in my turn, what does President F. mean by
his " mere fact " " species exist " ? That seems to
me no fact at all, but an inference. Individuals exist ;
species are inferred from the relations the individuals
are observed to sustain to each other. That species
are distinct, in the sense of none blending, is what
working naturalists would like to have somebody
settle for them in many a troublesome case. That
they always have been as much so as they are now is
the question under consideration. . . .

May 24.

. . . Now we can't go to see you, sorry to say. The
reason is, that I am working against time. Hooker
is coming over, and we are going in summer to the
Rocky Mountains together, according to an old prom-
ise of mine. To do it I ought to complete the print-
ing of the part of my " Flora " which I am upon,
else I shall suffer in various ways, and there is great
danger that I fail.

. . . Do you notice — I know it will please you —

JST. 66.] TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT. 667

how Kingsley caught at my essay, which was reprinted
in England long ago ; see his memoirs.

1877.

I would say to President Fairchild something like
this :

Where only one individual out of a thousand or
a million can survive to maturity and propagation,
clearly only the very best adapted to the environment
will so survive; and in somewhat different environ-
ments, only those best adapted respectively to the
two, three, or more different environments. The
intermediates, i. e., those least particularly adapted to
the two or three different emergencies, surely have
least chance.

Now our species of plants and animals are the com-
paratively few surviving lines of a great number of
lines which have come down through long and vari-
ous periods of great tribulation, in the literal sense
of the word ; they have been ground over and over,
first on this trial, then on that, leaving, as it seems
to me, no chance of the survival, side by side, of all
sorts and shades of intermediate forms. Hence,
under this, and the general law of heredity, the prac-
tical distinction of species and genera appears to be a
natural result.

That low, and even the lowest, forms of life should
survive and abound all down the ages, and be the
most widely diffused over the earth, seems also the
most natural result, being simple adaptations to sim-
plest conditions of air and water, so nearly the same
the world over. These are still far most numerous in
individuals, and have, so to say, the surest hold on
life. When we think of the vast void below which

668 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1877,

the " improvement " out of their sphere of these would
leave, and the increased risks which complicated struc-
ture (in machines or beings) has to run, we shall not
wonder that the simple still numerically predominate.

TO CHARLES DARWEST.

CAMBRIDGE, June 10, 1877.

MY DEAR MR. DARWIN, — Except when you are
to be aided in your work I decline to give letters of
introduction to you, knowing how you are occupied
and how infirm your health at any time may be. So
please take this note to mean just this. The happy
couple who bear it would be delighted to call some
day, if you say so, and pay their respects to you, and
I will tell you why I am disposed to promote their
wishes.

Mr. Burgess l was a favorite pupil of mine, and is
a young naturalist of much promise ; not in my de-
partment, however, but in entomology. He takes par-
ticularly to the anatomy of insects, draws capitally,
and shows talent for research, which we trust will
bring forth good fruit. I cannot blame him if his
modesty and caution have kept him back from publi-
cation as yet, but he has time before him, and even a
sight of you will be a stimulus to his ambition as well
as something to remember in after years. I need not
say that he takes to Evolution ; all young naturalists
of any good do. He has just married the daughter
of my dear old friend, the late Mr. Sullivant, who
did for muscology in this country more than one
man is likely ever to do again. The young lady is
very dear to your good friend Mrs. Gray and to me ;
and, as you have more than once made a remark com-

1 The afterwards famous designer of yachts.

M-r. 66.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 669

plimentary to American ladies, and as you are such
an excellent judge, I must even give you the oppor-
tunity of extending your range of instances.

But please do not give our young friends the op-
portunity of calling upon you, unless it quite suits
you.

By the time this reaches you, Dr. -Hooker will be
on the way to us, we expect, and we are looking to
have a great run together over the Rocky Mountains,
and perhaps across the Continent. Wherever we may
be, you may believe me,

Always yours cordially, ASA GRAY.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, June 4, 1877.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE : . . . I meant to have a
good portion of my " Synoptical Flora of North Amer-
ica " to send you this summer ; but it will not be
quite ready at the time I expected, and I am now
likely not to have this summer for writing, but rather
for observation over a considerable range of country.
Dr. Hooker, it seems now almost certain, is coming
over in a month from now. Dr. Hayden has invited
him and me to join his expedition of exploration this
year, or rather to make a survey of much of his ground
in the Rocky Mountains ; and it is possible we may
even reach California. I am rather old for this work,
but judging from last year, I may well endure and
enjoy it. Would that you could join us !

We are in essential accord as to subgenus and its
nomenclature. Your letter to Cogniaux discusses and
decides — as I had done for myself — the questions
propounded. You will see I follow it out consistently
in my part of botany of California, while Watson was

670 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1877,

at sea in his, and would hardly be convinced by my
arguments. But he tells me he is convinced by yours.

October 19.

. . . Our journey of ten and a half weeks, with
Hooker, was a most enjoyable one, every way pros-
perous, but laborious. Colorado to the borders of
New Mexico, a little of Utah and the Wahsatch moun-
tains, and extensive traveling in California, as far
south as Monterey, and north to Mt. Shasta. On
return, I had Hooker's copious collections to name up.
I made only small and special collections, and most
busy we were kept till, on the 6th inst., I put
Hooker on the steamer, which, as telegraph tells us,
only yesterday reached Queenstown, so he will be
landing at Liverpool to-day, — a full fortnight from
Boston to London. I am now busy enough with
bringing up arrears of correspondence and affairs, and
studying some collections which will not wait. Only
by the end of this month shall I get to resume my
regular, but long, interrupted work. Mrs. Gray ac-
companied us, and enjoyed it much, enduring well the
occasional camp life and such hardship as there was.
You should come over, and we will repeat the journey,
but only three years hence. Much as I should enjoy
it, I cannot spare the time sooner.

I found myself quite equal to younger people in
mountain climbing. . . .

TO GEORGE ESTGELMANN.

CAMBRIDGE, July 4, 1877.

DEAR OLD E., — Never mind if you are seventy ;
Hooker is sixty, and I am between, and we are lively

yet.

JET. 66.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 671

Perhaps we young fellows may knock about rather
faster than you like, wanting to do much in a little
time. But then, you need not do so much in Colorado
as we ; take the easy part. ... I shall be sorry if you
fail us.

We must twine in Cuscuta, as we twine in the rest
of the book. For real accuracy we must finally come
to the terms I propose, entropic and antitropic. We
can't get watch-hands into a good form for the de-
scription of order, genus, etc.

Be sure I '11 keep you posted. Should like to go to
Iron Mountain.

WAITING ON RAILROAD FROM CANON CITY
TO PUEBLO, July 21, 1877.

... If this flowering Euphorbia is the one you
asked for I have made good specimens. The round-
leaved one is on the hills, and is not yet out ; is not
the one, I am sure.

We had yesterday a good day (with Brandegee)1
at the Arkansas Canon ; it is grand, surely.

To-day Hooker and the Stracheys drive across and
down Wet Mountain Valley to La Veta (two long
days), while we, Mrs. Gray, Dr. Hayden, and I, re-
turn by railroad to Pueblo, and thence to La Yeta, by
sunset to-day. To-morrow up to a camp on La Veta
Pass of Sangre de Christo Mountains, which Captain
Stevenson is preparing.

Our English friends begin already to feel in a
hurry, and for a wonder I am the hold-back member
of the party. . . .

1 T. S. Brandegee. Engaged on railroad surveys in Colorado and
Washington territories and the Northern Pacific. At present living
in San Francisco.

672 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1877,

SALT LAKE, August 8.

I have yours of the 30th July, and I return in-
closure. Write hereafter to the Palace Hotel, San
Francisco.

I trust, and expect, that the strike days are over,
and that you will severely punish the ringleaders.1
Glad you have had nice weather ; but you have no air
like that of Colorado and Utah. . . .

Well, much as we miss and want you, yet we
should have hurried you too much. We want to go
over a good deal of ground cursorily, rather than a
little thoroughly and leisurely.

I do not write you about the oaks at Canon City,
because we had nothing new to say. We agree with
you in the complete running together of the oaks
down to Undulata. There is one very large-leaved
state, looking very different ; but it is mostly on fast-
growing shoots, and no doubt is a state of the " Q.
alba, var." of Torrey. " Alba " indeed ! But we did
not find the entire-leaved form at the canon, and
Brandegee said it occurred only at the mouth of the
canon, and near the city.

From Canon City we — Mrs. Gray, Hayden, and I
— went in one day south to La Veta by rail, and the
next day, toward evening, up to La Veta Pass, 10,300
feet, and over and 300 feet or so lower, where we
camped, nice tents having been provided by Fort
Lyon en route, and other furnishings from Fort Gar-
land. Abies concolor abounded, though there was
more of A. Menziesii (Picea pungens) and Pinus
contorta, and a good amount of P. aristata and P.
flexilis. The A. Menziesii at that elevation is less
prickly, sometimes almost as soft as A. Douglasii to

1 The bad railroad strikes of the summer of 1877.

JET. 76.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 673

the touch, and cones inclined to be shorter. The re-
sult is, we think we can trace A. Engelmanni into
A. Menziesii. What say you to that ?

Botanizing up there and in Sangre de Christo Pass
good, but only moderate ; nothing new, and no great
variety. We enjoyed camp life very well ; but after
three days broke up, and went over to Fort Garland,
and thence, while the ladies and General Strachey
went off to a Mexican village, we had a two days' trip
up the Sierra Blanca. Alpine plants the same as on
Gray's Peak, but scanty, owing to more southern lat-
itude and greater dryness. A longer time and a
searching of the interior of this very rough range
might, and doubtless would, furnish much we did not
see.

Eeturning from Fort Garland to the railroad, we
went back to Colorado Springs and drove up to Mani-
tou. Next day, we went up Ute Pass — nothing —
and looked about. Next day, to Garden of the Gods,
to General Palmer's to early dinner, and thence to
railroad and to Denver. Next day, Denver. Next by
railroad through Clear Creek Canon and to George-
town, or within a mile, and thence up to Kelso's
Cabin, now a well-kept house, to sleep. Next day,
Gray's Peak, and I crossed over to the top of Tor-
rey's. Next day, after morning botanizing, came
down to Georgetown and visited Empire City and the
Pecks. Next day, Sunday, a restful morning, and
then by rail back to Denver in the afternoon and
evening. Monday, off at half past seven to Chey-
enne, and after dinner took railroad to Ogden, and
came up here last evening. To-day, a broken day,
sight-seeing, etc. To-morrow, we, or some of us, are
going south to American Fork Canon ; up that and

674 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA . [1877,

over the pass into Cottonwood Canon; down that,
and back here, in time to go on that afternoon to
Ogden and thence west to Reno, thence Virginia City,
Carson, etc., and the Groves, Yosemite, etc. We
shall see, and I will let you know.

Mrs. Gray is out with the party, to see things, and
Brigham Young. I will not. She would be sending
love to Mrs. Engelmann and you, if here. She is
very well, and enjoying this travel hugely. I am
strong, and ever yours,

ASA GRAY.

YOSEMITE, CAL., August 21, 1877.

... So long without touching a pen I can hardly
form letters. Did I write to you from Utah ? We
left direct route at Reno, went to Carson City, with
detour to Virginia City, — queer place ; first got hold
of Pinus monophylla, but there no fruit.

Hired conveyance to take us from Carson right
across the Sierra Nevada via Silver Mountain to Cala-
veras Big Trees, — a good way for studying the tree
vegetation, and other, only all other is mainly de-
stroyed by drought and sheep, and the ground is pow-
dered dust. As we struck Pinus ponderosa we were
struck with more tapering shape of tree and longer
leaves than that of Colorado, so different, and soon, as
we rose, by the immense size of cone, ovate, six inches
long, very heavy. The big-cone ponderosa has less
bright green and rather longer leaves, and cones look-
ing quite different from the ordinary Californian pon-
derosa, which grows intermixed, except at the higher
levels, and has long but narrow cones. Losing the
big one as we descended to Calaveras, we come on it
again in the Sierra here, when we get up to seven.

^:T. 66.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 675

thousand to eight thousand feet. Here it passes for
P. Jaffreyi or Jeffreyi. Is it so ? Is it distinct ? On
bare side of Silver Mountain we found P. monophylla
with cones, both maturing and this year's. . . .

Cmco, September 5, 1877.

. . . Thanks for your letter to San Francisco. We
are keeping lively ; are on the way to Shasta.

What if we were to return via St. Louis : will you
insure us against malaria and fever ? Want to talk
Conif era3 with you. . . .

CAMBRIDGE, September 24, 1877.

We are just back via Niagara ; Hooker and I via
New York, and the former having the Sunday with
Eaton at New Haven, All well and happy to get
home after a prosperous and, as you may imagine,
laborious journey of ten and a half weeks. The trip
to Shasta involved long stagecoach journeys, but they
were most interesting. Keturning to Sacramento we
went on to Truckee, where Lemmon l joined us by ap-
pointment. We gave one day to Mount Stanford and
one to Tahoe, then took the overland train as it came
on at midnight, and thence had no stationary bed till
we reached Niagara. And we live to tell the story !

I want to tell you what we are led to think about
Firs and Spruces. I will give in this my own opinions,
which lie yet open, but are likely to settle down, ex-
cept you convince me to the contrary on some points.
Hooker comes to the same conclusions or nearly, but
I will keep to my own only in this letter, and ask
what you think of them, off-hand. Your reply will
come to hand before Sir Joseph sails. . . .

1 J. G. Lemmon ; late botanist of the California State Board of
Forestry ; author of a report on California Conifers.

676 TEA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1877,

Some day you must have a picture of our camp on
La Veta Pass. I wish there could have been one of
the Shasta camp of the Bidwells.

TO CHARLES DARWIN.

CAMBRIDGE, September 27, 1877.

MY DEAR DARWIN, — Returning from our ten
and a half weeks of travel, which has been every
way prospered and pleasant, I find your book.1 I
can now barely thank you for it, and for the great
compliment of the dedication. I must not open
it till Hooker leaves me, a week hence, the work
we have to do before we part being so great and
pressing. Then I shall turn to it, with enjoyment,
and as soon as I can find time I must notice or re-
view it.

Hooker sends his love ; is very glad Cohn has taken
up your son's experiments on Dipsacus, which reminds
me to send my best thanks to him for the copy ad-
dressed to me. For perusal, even for a glance, that,
too, must wait till we have worked up the collections
and observations we have made in our journey to the
Pacific.

Let me add, being sure of your sympathy, that
our poor dog Max peacefully breathed his last to-day,
after a happy life of twelve or thirteen years. We
are glad he lived till we returned, and greeted us
with his absorbing and touching affection. In a few
days came a partial paralysis, some convulsions, and
then a quiet and seemingly painless ending. He is
immortalized in your book on Expression, and will
live in the memory of his attached master and mis-
tress.

1 The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species.

JST. 66.] TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT. 677

Max was a black and tan terrier, not remarkable in
any way for beauty or intelligence, but interesting
from his warm affection and the power it had in de-
veloping his intelligence. To be near and to please
his beloved master was enough for him. Anything
his master did was right and to be submitted to.
Max had conscience, but it did not restrain him from
showing his vexation when left at home, by throwing
Dr. Gray's hat and gloves, etc., on the floor ; but his
shame and penitence always betrayed him. It seemed
as if the joy of his master's return had killed him.

Dr. Gray's next pet was a very small puppy; so
small that for the first few months Dr. Gray would
drop him into his pocket when calling on certain
friends. He was said to be a Japanese terrier, and
grew to be a great beauty, with long, white, curling
hair (with some black markings) to the tips of his
ears and toes, and a tail like a plume, curling over
his back, all so fluffy he was given the name of Puff.
Dr. Gray always called him a " little pagan dog,"
because, he said, his conscience was so unequally de-
veloped. But though willful and obstinate, with great
self-sufficiency, he was very attractive. It was a piece
of his mischief as a puppy that called out the follow-
ing letter from his master to Rev. G. F. Wright.

TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT.

CAMBRIDGE, December 11, 1878.

REV. SIK, — Will you be so good as to accept a
puppy's penitent apologies for his naughtiness, and a
new pair of rubbers in place of those which I wickedly
destroyed, because it was " my nature to " at the time
you last visited my master. I wish you to know that
I am as sorry for it as I am capable of being, that I

678 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1877,

have been punished as well as scolded, and that the
cost of the rubbers has been stopped out of my allow-
ance.

So no more at present from your disobedient,

JAP. PUFF,

Dr. Gray's last dog was a beautiful spaniel, and
had the same devoted love for him. He was very
courteous and polite, and gentle and affectionate. He
needed a great deal of outdoor exercise, and was so
disconsolate and miserable at his master's illness, that
he was sent to kind friends, where he still keeps a
warm and loving greeting for his old mistress.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, December 26, 1877.

Did I dispatch a line to you on or about October
1st, — one which would have crossed your last to me ?
If I did not, it shows how a continual and fixed in-
tention works a sense of performance.

I took with me, on our travels, your letter of June
20, expecting to write you from the Rocky Moun-
tains or some far-away Pacific region. But never
were such busy people as Hooker and I the whole
time. In fact, I was bound to make Hooker see just
as much as possible within our limited time, and it
seemed on the whole best for us to see very much in
glimpses and snatches rather than far less more lei-
surely and thoroughly. He will have told you of our
over nine thousand miles of travel together, and of
how he liked it. I think Mrs. Gray and I enjoyed it
most, and that we have a particular fancy for hurry-
skurry journeying. We should like to do it all over,
and more. But especially we should like to see Cali-

^T. 67.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 679

fornia in green attire. Not that we are not interested
and taken with the sere aspect of these western re-
gions in summer, which we fancy more than Hooker
does. In fact, the greenness of England is so con-
genial to him that he took more delight in our eastern
States, which he had mere glimpses of, than in all the
wide western region, though of course there was more
to learn in these.

How I wish you could have been of the party ! "We
dream of doing some parts again, and of going both
farther south and north, three years hence. You and
Sir Joseph would not then be too old. But I can
hardly expect then to be, as last summer, one of the
most active and frisky members of the party.

Moreover, the cost in time is more than one counts
on. From the middle of July to the end of Septem-
ber, one may, once in a way, fairly devote to holiday-
ing. But then, after a week or two of work with
Hooker over our notes and collections, I had to bring
up long arrears, which I should have kept in hand if
I had stayed at home, and so I have only now of late
come to take up my regular work where I left it in
July.

If you do not hear enough of our summer's doings
from Hooker, — and I know he must be busy indeed,
— we must get Mrs. Gray to write a narrative ; not
that she is not also a busy soul.

All this time you have had anxious events to occupy
your minds, and these are not yet over. But at home
you are happy in the recovering health of your daugh-
ter after so long suffering.

We had our usual Christmas gathering last even-
ing, and the house is only now set to rights again.
Your old friends Miss P. and K. 1^. were with us, and

680 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1878,

we spoke of you. The latter told us that Miss S.
proposes to come to us from the West Indies, I sup-
pose in early summer, and glad we shall be to see her.
You never sent me your Middle Ages book ; the
publishers' fault, no doubt, which I beg you will urge
them to make up for. . . .

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

May 20, 1878.

. . . That enlarged photograph l is for you, to be
left for your St. Louis Academy of Sciences, if it ever
gets a home, or for the Hortus Botanicus Missouri-
ensis, as you elect. Glad you value it.

I am at new edition of the " Structural Botany," as
a bit of ad interim work.

TO A. DE CASTDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, June 9, 1878.

MY DEAR COLLEAGUE : . . . A copy of the second
part of the " Synoptical Flora of North America "
should soon reach you, for I was assured at Wash-
ington that they were sent at once, and would go to
you without delay.

If the " Revue Scientifique de Geneve " takes book
notices, I shall be pleased if you will notice this publi-
cation of mine. I send it to you, and to Boissier ;
also to Maximowicz of St. Petersburg, but to no one
else on the Continent. It is put on sale with Triibner
& Company, London, and T. O. Weigel, Leipsic. I
have defrayed the whole cost out of my own purse,

1 Photograph of camp on Rocky Mountains, La Veta Pass, with
the best photographic likenesses, perhaps, ever taken of Sir J. D.
Hooker and Dr. Gray ; and including General and Mrs. Strachey, Dr.
Hay den, and Captain Stevenson.

,ET. 67.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 681

to the tune of $2,050. No publisher would take it, J
and assume the expense, so I have to carry it myself
and botanists must buy it, if they want it. I hope
many botanists and libraries will do so ; for I must
get the outlay back again, or a good part of it, before
I go on. Hence, notices in the scientific journals and
elsewhere may be serviceable to me.

I will not speak of or count the time and hard labor
I have bestowed on the work.

My last visit to Washington was a sad one, to at-
tend the funeral of my dear old friend Professor
Joseph Henry, to whom we are all greatly indebted.
When I saw him in January, at the annual meeting
01 the regents of the Smithsonian Institution, it was
too evident that he would not much longer be with us.

As may be remembered, Dr. Gray, when in Paris
in 1839, found in Michaux's herbarium a plant which
he describes as new, giving it the name of Shortia
galacifolia, in honor of his old friend Dr. Short of
Louisville, Ky. One great object of his later journeys
to the southern Alleghanies was the search for this
plant. No botanist had succeeded in rediscovering
it, and many doubted if Dr. Gray had not been mis-
taken, though he found among Japanese plants, sent
from St. Petersburg, one of the same genus, with a
rude Japanese woodcut. It was therefore a great
triumph when it was accidentally discovered by an
herb-collector, Mr. Hyams, in North Carolina. The
next journey to the mountains, in 1879, was planned
to search for it especially.

An account of the rediscovery and a description of
the plant is given in " American Journal of Science,"
iii., xvi., pp. 483, 1878. Mr. Sargent repeats the story

682 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1878,

in " Garden and Forest," December 19, 1888, and
tells how in 1886 he followed Michaux's steps up the
Keowee River, in the mountains of South Carolina,
farther south than the search had been before, and
was rewarded by finding the plant in abundance.
Professor W. W. Bailey, of Providence, then sent a
note to " Garden and Forest," to say that to Mr. J.
W. Congdon, then of Providence, belongs the credit of
having sent the first news of the discovery of the plant
to Dr. Gray, and tells of Dr. Gray's answer : " If
you think you have Shortia send it on." It was sent.
Then came from Dr. Gray the characteristic postal,
"NIt is so. Now let me sing my nunc dimittis ! "

TO W. M. CANBY.

CAMBRIDGE, October 21, 1878.

DEAK CANBT, — Thanks; glad you can come. You
will be notified, if the case comes on.

If you will come here I can show what will delight
your eyes, and cure you effectually of that skeptical
spirit you used to have about Shortia galacifolia. It is
before me, with corolla and all, from North Carolina !

Think of that ! My long faith rewarded at last !
Yours ever, A. GKAY.

P. S. — No other botanist has the news.

October 28, 1878.

... I wrote to Hyams how much immortality he
lost, or rather postponed, for his son, by not sending
me that specimen eighteen months ago, so that it
would go into " Flora," but that I should make his
name famous in " Silliman's Journal," pro tern.

I took the latter end of his letter to be a cancel of

^T. 68.] TO W. M. CAN BY. 683

his request to return the specimen. Told him that in
May either you or I or both would be down, call for
his boy, and be taken to the spot !

I have no objection to give him money for this
specimen, if he wants it. But I would not advise that
he advertise it. But if he can find plenty of roots, he
might legitimately put them on sale, and get a good
price. Why should he not ?

I did not say, before, that this discovery has given
me a hundred times the satisfaction that the election
into the Institute did. That caused no particular
elation. This has been a great satisfaction.

November 5, 1878.

... I send a brief notice to " Silliman's Journal."
And I am finishing an account of the matter, which
I will send to Paris, to Decaisne, for the " Academie
des Sciences," as a " Correspondent " ought.

I have declined to risk the specimen by mail, till
we get more, which is not so certain.

November 9, 1878.

. . . He (Hyams) sent me some loose flowers, to
help out.

I have sent manuscript to Paris, and shall send
back Decaisne's old drawing, and drawing of flower
and details, now making by Sprague to be reproduced
in the " Annales des Sciences Naturelles," since this
ought to please the French.

You can go to see and get specimens, even if I do
not. Yet I will go if — at the time — I can.

April 5, 1879.

On April 1 (ominous day) began Composite. . . .

684 TEA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1879,

TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT.

April 1, 1878.

... I like an article to begin or end with an apho-
rism, or some sort of snapper. I think you may end
your next article with a condensed expression like
this : Not vitality but personality is the witness for
immortality !

October 24, 1878.

. . . Yes, I read with interest and approval your
article on Hypothesis.

I am pressed with work now all this week. I
would send you the proofs of Newcomb's article,1 but
you will get it in the " Independent " almost as soon.

Read, mark, and tell me what I should say. I
must now lay myself out on this matter. If you will
allow, I want to drop, throw out, praying for the
weather quoad weather.

I shall take my time, but shall be turning the
matter in my mind, at the end of this week and begin-
ning of the next.

Perhaps I may see you on Monday here, unless I
am called away.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, January 24, 1879.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — I have just returned
from Washington, where I had to read a memorial of
our late secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,
Professor Henry,2 and I have returned somewhat crip-

1 Articles in the New York Independent, signed " Country Reader,"
by Dr. Gray.

2 At a memorial meeting1 held in honor of Professor Henry by the
Board of Regents and both Houses of Congress, in the Hall of the

JET. 68.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 685

pled by lumbago. I took with me your pleasant
letter of the 29th December, intending to write to
you from there, but I found no time. The present
moment is opportune, as I cannot well move about as
I must do in my ordinary work. . . .

I have sent for Saporta's book, and shall study it
with interest. Glad I am that your " Phytographie "
is in hand. I wish I had it now before me ; for I have
now to write something on the subject for a new edi-
tion of my " Botanical Text-Book," now in hand.

How well Bentham still writes and works ! Notice
his essay on Euphorbiaceae. You and Bentham have
kept orthodox views of nomenclature at the fore in
Europe, and I have seconded them here, so that, ex-
cept among cryptogamists, heterodoxy makes no
headway.

I have some ideas about the best form for Latin
specific characters, as distinguished from descriptions,
as to punctuation, etc., which I wish to present to you.
Perhaps I can best, and soon, do so by sending you
proof-sheets.

The link which connected us with a former gener-
ation of botanists is broken. Jacob Bigelow, the cor-
respondent of Muhlenberg l and of J. E. Smith, as
well as your father, died on the 10th inst., at the age
of ninety-two. Up to three or four years ago he pre-
served all his faculties. But sight and hearing gradu-
ally failed, and for two years he has been merely alive ;
at length the candle burned out.

House of Representatives, January 16, 1879, Dr. Gray read a Bio-
graphical Memorial of Joseph Henry, in behalf of the Board of Re-
gents.

1 Heinrich Ludwig Muhlenberg, 1756-1817 ; a Lutheran preacher
in Lancaster, Penn. ; published a Catalogue of North American Plants,
and a Description of North American Grasses.

686 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1879,

The genus Bigelovia, which your father founded on
one species, is now one of the most characteristic North
American genera, of many species, chiefly west of the
Mississippi.

J. W. Robbins,1 also of Massachusetts, one of the
best and oldest local botanists, died the day before,
aged seventy-seven.

Engelmann (two or three years older than I am)
and myself are now the oldest botanists of the coun-
try, I believe.

While I live I am always your devoted,

ASA GRAY.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

CAMBRIDGE, May 22, 1879.

. . . We go on a trip south to the mountains of
Carolina with Canby, Redfield, and this time Sargent.

It was to have been done whenever Shortia blos-
somed. But that stole a march on us by flowering in
April. So now we time it for the Rhododendrons,
and will see Shortia out of blossom, and we. hope to
find new stations. Then I want to look up Darby a,
of which only the male is known. Curtis seems to
have got it, without flowers, near Lincolnton. Then
we are to explore the east side of the Blue Ridge,
from the base of Black Mountain to Grandfather, and
then cross to the Roan, on which is now the Cloud-
land Hotel.

Oh dear ! now that the time draws near, I wish I
could stay at home and finish Parry and Palmer's 2

1 James Watson Robbins, M. D., 1807-1879 ; physician atUxbridge,
Mass. " A most critical student of the botany of New England and
northern United States, and especially of the Potamogetons " [A. G.].

2 Edward Palmer ; has collected largely in southern Florida and
Mexico.

*:T. 68.] TO W. M. CANBY. 687

Mexican Compositae, which abound with new or inter-
esting species ! . . .

I send you by mail a copy of my new " Text-Book."
You see I relegate to other hands the anatomy, physi-
ology, and cryptogamia, — glad to be rid of them. I
send, too, one of the few copies of the Shortia paper.
The translator into French in several places missed
my meaning. And the explanation of the plate is a
botch. I numbered only the floral parts I now fur-
nished, expecting the materials from Herbier Paris to
make another plate. Decaisne crowded all on one
plate, and numbered to suit himself, and then printed
my explanation unaltered. The numbers do not
match at all. . . .

TO WILLIAM M. CANBY.

April 25, 1879.

. . . About scheme : it is rather my notion to go
via Statesville to Newton, explore down one fork of
Catawba, till we find Darbya, or find Curtis's locality,
and back by the other ; two days. But perhaps, to
save time, you would prefer to keep on the railroad
from Statesville to Lincolnton (where, by the way,
Magnolia macrophylla grows), pick up Darbya, and
then come up to us at Statesville or Marion. Then
we will see locality of Shortia.

Then, my notion is to get some good searches along
the flanks of the mountains, from Swananoa Gap to
Linville Falls (find Shortia for ourselves, etc.), and
even up to Deep Gap, which you see is pretty well
north. Then make Cowles tote us to Bakersville, and
then end on Roan Mountain.

There I and my wife would like to stay several days ;
and you, if it must be, could leave us and get home.

688 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1879,

But I am not particular, if you prefer a southern
trip ; down to Jackson County, etc., and get Vasey's
new Rhododendron, — only a day south of where we
went before.

Sargent, our director, wants to go, and go in Sep-
tember, so that he can get live things. Perhaps he
will join us.

My wife's desiderata are simply these : To see both
Rhododendrons in flower, and to get some rough wagon-
rides. It seems not difficult to satisfy her simple
desires. Moreover, what do you say to our brothers
and our nieces, with their aunt ? The nieces are
trumps of girls for traveling companions, and their
father worthy of them. They are enticed by our ac-
counts of Rhododendrons and the nice rough times,
and the chance of sleeping in their spectacles, and
Roan Mountain, where they would like to stay a
week ! Perhaps even, we would show them New River
Springs with their rocks, etc., on the way homeward.

If they join us, it will probably be after we have
done the Shortia and Darbya business.

Is there yet any chance of Redfield? Now you
look up routes, etc., and give me your ideas. I wish
we had your " heavenly weather."

CAMBRIDGE, July 7, 1879.

MY DEAR CANBY, — Verses seem to be the order
of the day. So here goes : —

With Misses L. the saying runs,
" However good a man be,
The most that can be said of him
Is, He 's as nice as Can-be."

. . . You will want to know how Mrs. Gray and I
got on. Finely, with two hard days at the close. . . .

JET. 68.] TO W. M. CAN BY. 689

First day, we got round, retracing our old route, to
Blaylocks, a hard place.

2d. Traveled all day up the north fork of Toe,
through scenery which delighted Mrs. Gray greatly,
to head of a fork thereof in Yellow Mountains, and
thence over to Cranberry Fork, almost under the
shadow of the Roan, or of that prolongation of it
which we went to; nice food and lodgings and the
luxury of a separate room.

3d. Down Cranberry Creek and up Elk, over Elk
Mountain (got Cedronella cordata. Want any?),
from which climbed to a good view, down to Valle
Crucis, and over to Boone, to sleep ; a long day.

4th. Drove fourteen miles, partly on Blue Ridge, to
Gap Creek, at noon. Nice house. Very nice wife
and children.

5th. Mrs. Gray rested. Cowles and I went up
Blue Ridge, saw a fine waterfall on the eastern side.

6th. Took in Mrs. Cowles, baby, and bright little
girl. Drove fourteen miles to Jefferson, picnic dinner
on the way ; stopped with an uncle and aunt of Mrs. C.
I and some Jeffersonians went up Negro Mountain;
collected Saxifraga Careyana at the original locality;
took a view of where Aconitum reclinatum must be,
went for it, found it, some specimens barely in bud%
more in flower,1 made specimens for you and for Red-
field, took roots.

7th. Cowles and family to wait and visit, while we
took their wagon to Marion, forty-five miles, too much

1 " Dr. Gray, with Mr. Cowles and some of the neighbors, had gone
up Negro Mountain. He found on the top the plant he expected, a
Saxifraga, made out the narrow ravine he had explored thirty-six
years ago, found it, and in its same spot the rare plant (an Aconite)
he had then discovered, rarely seen growing since, and so came back
triumphant." — Extract from Mrs. Gray's journal.

690 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1879,

for a day. (Good souls the Cowles!) But when we
had got on six miles, met a wagon from Marion, the
men in which proposed an exchange, which we (for
the Cowles's sake) gladly consented to. Were to cross
the Iron Mountain that day, if time held out (which it
did), and stop at a McCarthy's at the foot, twelve
miles from Marion. Reaching the place just at dusk,
the driver insisted that this nice house was not the
place, but a mile or two farther on. So we tired
people drove on by moonlight, three miles further, to
find he was mistaken, and no lodgings to be had, ex-
cept possibly a mile further. Came to a house,
routed a man and wife out of bed, found a great fire
still on the hearth, no decent chance to sleep. Con-
cluded the only way then was to push on the eight
miles more, so as to get the train the next morning at
6.35. Got with difficulty a little corn for the horses,
brought out Mrs. Gray's tea-kettle, made tea, ate the
remains of our dinner, and thus refreshed, jogged on;
reached Marion at one A. M., slept till half past five,
rose, took train at 6.50. And Mrs. Gray still lives !
Were waiting hungrily for our breakfast at Wyeth-
ville, when, three miles from it, a slight double thud,
a down-brake signal, the last breath of the engine, a
stop. To our vast surprise, on looking out, engine,
and three cars, and first section of high bridge were
missing, and were debris in the abyss. No such acci-
dent could have been managed with less shock to the
nerves. And as to the result, had it been after break-
fast and passengers smoking in the second-class car,
there would have been a greater fatality (glad to say,
I don't smoke). . . .

There were weak ladies and hungry and sick chil-
dren on board. I clambered down the embankment

^T. 68.] TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 691

with that blessed tea-kettle, to a poor house, got a fire
made, and hot water. Another traveler going farther
got a pot of coffee, nice bread and butter and cold
boiled ham. And so we fared till omnibuses came
for us. At Wyethville a good hotel ; got word at
length to Shriver ; l and after a late dinner, an extra
train came down, took us to Lynchburg ; reached
Washington before 8 A. M.

I will send you good specimen of original Saxif raga
Careyana from Negro Mountain. Send me a good
large one from Roan. I will compare them soon.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

CAMBRIDGE, July 4, 1879.

Your last letter has gone to Engelmann, as I noti-
fied you ; those of May 29 and June 4 overtook me
in the mountains of North Carolina, where Mrs.
Gray and I were recuperating, but I was kept on the
move from morn to night. I could not thence write
you on the matters treated of, nor is there anything
left to say. ... .

Nature sometimes does what you hit me for sug-
gesting, that is, " take away the essential character,"
and we have to put up with it, and allow that we may
have overrated the character.

But, when all is done, I will try on your view with-
out prejudice, and adopt it if possible.

About Ceratophyllum : I never followed up that
early paper, of 1837, because I soon saw that I was
very wrong in supposing that the ovules of Cabomba
and Nelumbium were like that of Ceratophyllum, and
I concluded that my whole idea was baseless. . I have

1 Howard Shriver, M. D., formerly at Wyethville, Va., now at
Cumberland, Md.

692 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1879,

not looked at the matter since, but I shall be much
surprised if you find that my youthful idea is worthy
of resuscitation.

We have come back from the cool mountains of the
South to really hot weather at the North.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, July 15, 1879.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — Your pleasant letter of
the 3d June reached me on Roan Mountain, in a com-
fortable little house, at the elevation of about 6,200
feet above the sea, enjoying glorious views of range
after range of the Alleghany Mountains, and on the
grassy plateau Rhododendron Catawbiense, perhaps
more of it than in all the rest of the world, just com-
ing into blossom. Then the valleys and mountain-
sides all around, covered with rich forest, are adorned
with Rhododendron maximum, and Kalmia latifolia
in immense abundance and profuse blossoming, of
every hue from deep rose to white, and here and there,
among other flowering shrubs, Azalea calendulacea, of
every hue from light yellow to the deepest flame color.
Mrs. Gray was with me, with her brother, two nieces,
and a botanical party consisting of Messrs. Canby,
Redfield, and Sargent. We traversed a pretty large
and very wild region, much of which I had before
visited, some thirty-eight years before. We went to
the locality of Shortia galacifolia, discovered by
Hyams ; but our search for new stations, or for the
old one of Michaux, was in vain. But I have now a
clear idea of the district in which it may be sought.
The known station is probably one to which the plant
has been brought down.

I have returned home to a crowd of work.

*:T. 69.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 693

I wait with great interest your volume on Phyto-
graphy. You will see that in my new " Text-Book "
we are quite in accord. I agree with you about new
and useless terms, and the execrable taste of the
Germans.

I am very strong, and can climb a mountain as
well as ever, only I lose breath except I move slowly
in the ascent.

Memory rather fails ; otherwise I have at near
sixty-nine all my faculties in fair condition.

It has happened that I have visited Europe every
eleven years. According to that you should see me
next year ! I cannot promise ; but I am always
affectionately yours, ASA GRAY.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

November 11, 1879.

I forgot to ask if you, or your friend Lord Blach-
ford, knew Arthur James Balfour, M. P., author of
"A Defense of Philosophic Doubt," published re-
cently by Macmillan ?

It is the most masterly essay I have seen of late
years, and I should like to know who the man is, and
what you think of his book.

I have been drawn into promising, in an unguarded
moment, to give two lectures to the theological class
of Yale College (our oldest university after Harvard)
some time in the course of the winter, on Science and
Religion ; a topic which calls for wise speaking. I
am not very hopeful, but still I have an idea I may
do some good. I wish you were in reach, that we
might talk over the subject. . . .

694 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1880,

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, January 1, 1880.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — Though I have entered
on the seventieth year of my age, I hold out well, and
when other cares do not interrupt, I go on with the
" Compositae," yet all too slowly. Before I print them
I shall hope to have another inspection of some of the
species of the " Prodroinus " in your herbarium ; per-
haps before this year 1880 is out, yet it is rather doubt-
ful. I get on slowly, and then Mr. Watson, who will
have the " Flora of California " off his hands as soon
as he can get the manuscript of the " Graminese " out
of Professor Thurber's hands, must have a vacation
ramble, probably to Oregon. If he leaves here in
the spring, I must wait his return here in the autumn,
or at most cannot leave home until after midsummer ;
too late to render myself at Geneva, I suppose.

Much of my time of the last few months has been
occupied with the details of building a small addition
to our herbarium building to contain the botanical
library. It is just finished, and the books will now
be moved into it in a few days. . . .

My health is excellent. Let us hope the same for
you, and offer my best wishes for the year 1880.

Dr. Gray delivered in the winter of 1880 two lec-
tures to the theological school of Yale College, on
Natural Science and Religion.

They were long and carefully thought out, and he
had great pleasure in speaking to an audience who
followed him so closely, and evidently with such atten-
tive sympathy.

He also enjoyed very much reading them, before
delivery, to his friend Dr. O. W. Holmes, in Boston.

^T. 69.] TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT. 695

TO G. FREDERICK WRIGHT.

CAMBRIDGE, January 17, 1880.

DEAR FRIEND, — - We go Monday night on to
Washington, leaving here at five p. M. My lectures
are fixed for February 5 and 6, so that I shall return
from Washington and go on specially to New Haven.

I expect to be at home the last week of th$ month,
but perhaps not on Monday, and I should wish to see
you and read my second lecture, which is dragging its
slow length along ! . . .

CAMBRIDGE, March 11, 1880.

I have this moment received and read from Newman
Smyth a flattering note, and a copy of his article in
the " Advance." A very good one it is, and his own
thoughts are noteworthy and to the point.

President Gilman of the Johns Hopkins sent me a
very admiring letter, in which he urges a student's
edition, on thinner paper and paper covers, which he
wants to subscribe for. I shall send it to the pub-
lisher before long.

April 11, 1880.

I am amused at Professor 's substitution of

demiurgism for evolution, reprinted in the " Indepen-
dent," and at the coolness with which the professor
proclaims that a hypothesis which he thinks is good
for nothing else may be good to put against evolu-
tionism.

Darwin has sent me advance sheets of his book on
Advantage of Crosses (not moral but floral crosses,
and not crosses made of flowers, but those made by in-
sects and winds for the benefit of flowers), and I see
much in it which you will enjoy. I am too full of
work to use it next week, and if you tell me you will

696 TRA VEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1880,

coine Monday and take it, I will lend it to you for
that week.

Professor Fisher has sent me an admirable sermon
on " The Folly of Atheism." Have you seen it ?

... I would change a word in paragraph seven.
If by proof you mean demonstration of its truth, I
remark that rational explanation of the phenomena, so
far as known, does not prove an hypothesis. Two
different hypotheses may do that ; and it may long be
impossible to get a* crucial test.

Sincerely yours, A. GRAY.

Dr. Gray was at work on another part of the " Syn-
optical Flora." Asters had always been his especial
study, and a great and puzzling labor, and these few
lines tell of his difficulties.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

April 17, 1880.

We heard only incidentally of your accident, and
were very sorry. Do be careful. Don't climb lad-
ders. Leave that to young fellows like me ! ...

I am half dead with Aster. I got on very fairly
till I got into the thick of the genus, among what I
called Dumosi and Salicifolia. Here I work and
work, but make no headway at all. I can't tell what
are species and how to define any of them, nor what
the nomenclature is, i. e., what are original names.

I will take this group abroad, but it will be just as
bad there, unless I can get some settled ideas before
I start. I never was so boggled.

To-morrow I '11 sit down and study your Pinus
paper, which I have not looked at yet, so absorbed
have I been.

JET. 69.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 697

My old friend John Carey has died, in England, at
eighty-three. Schimper, they say, is dead. They go
one by one !

CAMBRIDGE, May 8.

First, thanks for your very lively letter of May 4,
— auspicious day, being my wedding - day, thirty-
second anniversary. . . .

Yes, we mean to go abroad right after the meeting
of American Association, say September 4, to finish
Aster, etc. ; to stay at least a year.

My wife sends best love to you, your daughter, and
son, and I join.

TO JOHN H. REDFIELD.

CAMBRIDGE, April 21, 1880.

DEAR REDFIELD, — If you hear of my breaking
down utterly, and being sent to an asylum, you may
lay it to Aster, which is a slow and fatal poison.

Apparently it will take a year or more for me to
finish it, with the greater chance that it finishes me
before that time. . . .

April 24.

Thanks for both specimen and sympathy. The
former is here safely returned.

The A. glacialis I must seek in Nuttall's herbarium,
now at the British Museum.

The principal troubles in Aster are packed away,
to try on again, in London, Paris, and Berlin.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

CAMBRIDGE, May 17, 1880.
MY HONORED AND DEAR FRIEND, Is it possi-

ble (I fear it is) that your letter to me at the begin-
ning of the winter (telling me who Balfour, M. P., is)

698 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1880,

has been all this while unacknowledged ? I fear it is
even so.

In the mean time much has happened, at least in
your old world, on which interest centres ; here not
much, but constant and rather humdrum work for me.
We have got through the winter, a mild one, in con-
trast to yours, so severe and trying, and our spring
opens pleasantly ; and Mrs. Gray and I are well and
happy.

You have had a parliamentary election, the result
of which we delight in, though it took us, and seem-
ingly most of you, by surprise. I fancy you are
pleased to see Gladstone again at the helm, and still
more at the collapse of Jingoism, — not a moment too
soon.

But let me hasten to tell you that Mrs. Gray and I
contemplate crossing the Atlantic early in September,
and of passing at least a full year in England and on
the Continent. A busy year it must be, if my powers
hold out ; for I must do a deal of work, and I want
to have a little play. I wish I could be more ready,
by the finishing of my general study of the vast order
Compositse, so that I might know exactly what re-
searches I must make in London, Paris, Berlin, etc.
I have not got on as I expected ; but, as I am to
reach seventy if I live to near the end of the current
year, I must no longer postpone my voyage. Indeed,
I would leave at midsummer if I could get away. But
the American Association for the Advancement of
Science meets in Boston at the end of August, and
has a day in Cambridge. And it would not do for
me, an ex-president, to turn my back on it, and upon a
houseful of friends whom we wish to entertain. But
the moment it is over we shall hope to be off.

^T. 69.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 699

I think I must work at Aster, etc., at Kew for a
few weeks ; and I have a fancy for a run through the
west and south of France and, perhaps, Spain !

You will be returning from some summer trip
about the time we reach England. Cannot you and
Mrs. Church get away from a dark and dull London
November, and go with us to a summer region !

I sent you my Yale Lectures, which had to treat
difficult and delicate matters. I find they have been
useful to some on either side.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, June 8, 1880.

I have left your kind letter of March 11 too long
unacknowledged. Now I have to thank you for a
copy of the " Phytographie," which interests me ex-
ceedingly. I have also to say that my plans for the
year are so far settled that I have engaged passage
for Mrs. Gray and myself in a Cunard steamer from
Boston for Liverpool on the 4th of September, the
earliest date on which we could leave home.

But, greatly as you tempt me, and much as I
should like to see you early, we cannot reach Switzer-
land this autumn. . . .

I should hope we might see you in early summer.
So, pray, keep yourself well and strong till then.

About the " Phytographie : " I shall have much to
write, when I read the book, which as yet I have only
glanced at. About dextrorsum and sinistrorsum : I
think it is not quite true that the innovators have not
given any account of the grounds on which they rest.
Mine are expressed, I believe, in two or three notes
in " American Journal of Science," and are summed
up in my " Botanical Text-Book," last edition, p. 516,

700 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1880i.

referred to in the glossary and index. I think that
the analogy of the right-handed screw indicates how
the world in general regard it, ab extra. There is a
sensible note on the question in the late Clerk-Max-
well's " Treatise on Electricity," vol. 1, — the reference
is not at hand at this moment. It takes, essentially,
our (my) view as it seems to me ; but it refers to a
similar confusion between the mathematicians and the
physicists.

I wish you had gone on to illustrate more of the
words which have been changed or confused in mean-
ing ; for example, " pistillum," " cyme," etc.

It is a pity that the terms of nomenclature had not
been rearranged by Roeper l so as to conflict less with
those of Linnaeus and the general botanical use.

We have had our centennial of the American Acad-
emy ; a pleasant reunion. . . .

Mr. Winthrop gave a good public address.

I get only slowly on with the Compositae ; my inter-
ruptions and distractions are many and great. For-
tunately I am in perfect health; am outliving my
chronic catarrh. I hope you may do so also !

June 28, 1880.

Yours of the 15th is duly received, with your pleas-
ant remarks on my lectures. 2 Professor Bourier is
very welcome, and will please me by using any part of
them he chooses. I should like to see how they would
read in French.

1 John A. C. Roeper, 1800 - 1884 ; director and professor in the
Botanic Garden at Bale ; removed to Rostock, Prussia, as professor,
before 1840.

2 The Yale Lectures,

CHAPTER VIII.

FINAL JOUKNEYS AND WORK.

1880-1888.

DR. GRAY sailed for Europe with Mrs. Gray early
in September, 1880. He went especially to study
herbaria for his new volume of the " Synoptical
Flora," and saw almost every collection of importance,
giving especial attention to the subject of asters.
The autumn was spent in western France and Spain,
and in Madrid he looked over the herbarium there.
He declared nobody had ever had so many asters pass
through his hands as he had had !

The winter was spent in hard work in the Kew
herbarium. He enjoyed heartily in spring a journey
through Italy with his friends Sir Joseph and Lady
Hooker, returning to Kew to spend the summer, at
work in the herbarium, and he sailed again for home
in October, 1881, landing early in November.

TO JOHN H. REDFIELD.

HOTEL CONTINENTAL, PARIS, October 3, 1880.

MY DEAR REDFIELD, — Many thanks for letter of
17th September, which reached me at Kew, where we
passed a busy and happy fortnight with the Hookers,
and did some botanical work. We left Friday morn-
ing, reached Paris pleasantly that evening, where we
make only two days more stay at present, but leave

702 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1880,

Tuesday for the Loire district and thence to Spain,
but expect to return here after our round, and stay
possibly a month. Play first, work afterwards, is our
present motto. If the Academy, or any of the breth-
ren, take Garber's little Porto Rico collection, you or
they will be glad to know that Professor Oliver and
I named them up while I was at Kew, and that the
list has been forwarded to D. C. Eaton. News I have
little to tell you. Yet, though we left home only a
month ago, it seems a half year. We had a botanical
concours at Kew; for De Candolle and wife came
over, as he says, to see Mrs. Gray and me, and the Hook-
ers gave two dinner parties on the occasion ; present
four botanists, whose united ages sum up high, for
Bentham had his eightieth birthday just before, De
Candolle is about seventy-five, I on the verge of
seventy, and Hooker, the baby of the set, in his sixty-
fourth year ; some younger botanists were with us, —
Oliver, Baker, Masters, young Balfour, etc.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

MALAGA, August 30, 1880.

... As to pictures, you know I am no picture
sharp ; but Madrid and Seville (which must be taken
together) are a revelation of Murillo and Velasquez.
. . . That kind of thing is nearly over with us on
leaving attractive and sunny Seville. We cut off
Jerez and Cordova, and came in here yesterday
through olive groves enough to saponify and saladu-
late creation, and the passage through the mountains
from Bobadilla to Malaga, wonderfully grand, ending
in orange groves filling lovely dells and valleys.

^T. 69.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 703

Nothing to keep us long here, though picturesque-
ness is not wanting. The days are hot. At Granada,
to which we fly to-morrow afternoon, we expect to find
the juste milieu. . . .

One bit of this sheet to tell you that Joey's portrait
has been painted by Murillo, and a good likeness,
hair, pose, and features. He is holding a bird aloft,
and a white little dog is looking up wistfully at it, to
Joey's delight. It is in the Museum at Madrid, and
is much admired.

TO R. W. CHURCH.
THE ALHAMBKA, GRANADA, November 2, 1880.

It is time that you should be thanked for the notes
you kindly sent us. They will come of use later. You
will wish to know what we have been doing for the
past month, only a month by the almanac, for we
left England October 1, and Paris on the 6th, the
latter being the date we count from. So that there is
not yet quite a month of travel, yet it seems a long
while, as if stored with a year's memories. And the
weather throughout has been superb. One cold day
in Paris, and some cool nights between Bordeaux and
Madrid ; and then, even at Madrid, we had summer
rather than autumn weather, until, ascending from
Malaga to this higher region, the cool and fresh air
which comes down from the snow-flecked Sierra Ne-
vada makes the sunshine pleasant and wraps desirable
at nightfall.

A few midday hours served for Orleans, and we
went on to Blois. You know how very charming that
is, and you may imagine Mrs. Gray's delight at the

704 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1880,

castle, also at Chambord, to which we drove. Two
nights there and three at Tours. The cathedral
charmed us ; also the old houses and ruined bits and
towers. We passed Amboise, and went from Tours
to Chenonceaux and back by railway, — a bijou to be
enjoyed ; but the next day's excursion to Loches had
a much deeper and more varied interest. By travel-
ing over night to Bayonne and passing Biarritz at
sunrise, a noble sunrise and morning, with the Atlan-
tic on one side and the Cantabrian Pyrenees on the
other, we gained the privilege of a daylight journey
from Irun to Burgos. It is far more picturesque and
striking than I had supposed. A day at Burgos was
a treat, as you may suppose. Leon lay out of our
track and demanded night hours and night changes
too severe and too formidable for a couple ignorant of
Spanish and impatient of couriers. So we went on
overnight to Madrid (night travel being inevitable) ;
and here we had a warm, sunny, busy, and most en-
joyable week, some pleasant home-friends for compan-
ions, as also a charming Spanish family, M. and
Mme. Riano, whom we had met at our minister's,
Lowell, at London. She is a daughter of Gayangos
and had an English mother ; is a charming mixture of
Spanish and English and everything that is bright
and good. Then there was a raree-show not to be
matched out of Spain : the royal family with the in-
fanta going to church in state, the grand procession
kindly going and returning under our windows. The
Armeria and, still more, the Archeological Museum
were full of the Old World things we Americans dote
on. And then the great picture-gallery, supplemented
not a little by the Academia San Fernando. Add to

^T. 69.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 705

these the pictures at Seville, and imagine the treat
we have had. I shall leave all this for Mrs. Gray to
expatiate upon next winter.

We now know Murillo, and rank him next to Titian,
and in feeling and delicacy much above him. He
could paint something besides Spanish-girl Madonnas,
lovely as they are, and Spanish beggars, where he
had only to copy from the streets ; and whoever
has not seen St. Elisabeth of Hungary, the Roman
Senator and his Wife, the Guardian Angel, Moses
striking the Rock, and its companion, the Loaves
and Fishes, and the St. Antony of Padua, down
to whom the Infant Christ lightly floats, encircled
with child angels, has not yet seen the works of Mu-
rillo. Then Velasquez, most noble, and Zurbaran
and Ribera, and Cano, Morales, and Moro, and others
whom I never knew aught about before. At Toledo
we passed two days and three nights, well filled
with sights of Old World things hardly touched
by the later ages ; and there is the grandest of cathe-
drals ; and yet the interior of that of Seville is rather
more satisfying. These three, Burgos, Toledo, Se-
ville, I should place in this ascending order, or brack-
eting the latter two.

A journey overnight brought us at sunrise into
Andalusia, at Cordova, which we passed (to take on
the way from Granada), and so to Seville for break-
fast, three happy, sunny, busy days there, and then to
Malaga, two days, and then on to this place, which we
reached after dark, and are now enjoying our second
day in.

There are two hotels up here, under the Alhambra
walls, and we are at one of them. Yesterday the road

706 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1880,

which rises to the crown of the hill was crowded with
people of the town below, going up to the cemetery
with flowers and lamps and candles and drapery, to
ornament the tombs and graves of relatives, which
here is done on All Saints' Day, and we saw the curi-
ous sight by day and walked up again in the evening,
when all was alight, and in a chapel a sort of requiem
service performing. We will not describe the Al-
hambra. I fancied I should think the work finical ;
but you are carried away by it. But of most interest
was our visit to the Cathedral of Granada this morn-
ing and to the Capilla Real, to see all the relics and
contemporary memorials of Ferdinand and Isabella,
their effigies, sword, sceptre, etc., their noble tombs,
more rich and beautiful, I think, than those of the
Constable and his wife at Burgos, and then to descend
into the vault and see their rude iron coffins, which
have not been desecrated nor molested, and also those
of Philip I. and his poor wife Joanna. (Let us tell
you, some day, of a modern Spanish picture, at Madrid,
of her and her husband's coffin, which she wearily had
carried with her.) All this, and what we see here
on the spot of the Moorish life, and what we saw at
the cathedral, gives a vivid reality that nothing else
can.

And here my sheet is full and my gossip must be
cut short, with short space to add the kindest remem-
brances and love which my wife joins in sending to
you and yours and daughters.

^T. 70.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 707

TO J. D. HOOKER.
H6TEL ST. ROMAIN, PARIS, November 14, 1880.

Here we are back at Paris (since twenty hours),
and, this being Sunday, having discharged my reli-
gious duty and ventilated my patriotism by going in
the morning to the American Chapel I am going to
discharge upon you a missive which may be of some
size, — is sure to be so- if I open all my mind. Whence
did I write you last ? Malaga, I fancy, where I re-
ceived a letter from you . . . which tells us of the
conflagration of Charlie's dog and cat, and the narrow
escape of the owner, of horrid weather, while we have
had only one rainy day, and that no great impediment
(though I did have to examine the Botanic Garden
at Valencia under an umbrella and in india-rub-
bers). . . .

A good day was occupied in going to Cordova, and
the next morning did the Mosque-Cathedral, which I
expected to be disappointing, yet it was not. After-
noon began the long journey which there was no
escaping, northeast to Valencia: a dull place made
duller by rain. Next afternoon to Tarragona, and a
most charming day in that interesting old town and
its environs, the evening taking us on to Barcelona, of
less interest. The next day's travel, long and delight-
ful, was all by daylight, except the last hour. It took
us along either beautiful or picturesque country, much
of the way with the Mediterranean on one side and
the Pyrenees on the other, out of Spain and as far as
Narbonne. A day's excursion was given to Carcas-
sonne ; perfect, and stranded on the shore of time, an
excellent example of a Middle Age fortified city,
cathedral and all; Visigoth walls and towers on

708 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1880,

Roman foundations, extended and modernized by the
father of St. Louis, and the finishing touches by St.
Louis himself.

Here endeth the epistle. The rest is simply getting
back to Paris. I had counted on returning by way
of Nimes, Clermont-Ferrand, and a little detour to see
the cathedral of Bourges. But the winds from the
mountains made Narbonne and Carcassonne cold, the
few trains from Nimes were unseasonable, my wife
declared she had so many cathedrals mixed up in her
head that she could not endure another, and so, leav-
ing Narbonne in early morning, we reached Cette ten
minutes after the express train for Paris had left,
and we came on in omnibus train in unbroken jour-
ney, through Montpellier, Nimes, and Avignon
(which we had visited, in former years), and via
Lyons to Paris. And here we are.

Two months of play, delicious play, are up : we
landed two months ago to-morrow. We have had our
share, and I have now an appetite for work. I can be
usefully busy in Paris for a fortnight, hardly longer.
Then what ? Much depends on what you can see
your way to. The traditional " three courses " seem
to be before us, each with its advantages and disad-
vantages ; and we are so balanced that we shall be
likely to incline as you push the scale. . . .

Course 3. Bear the English winter, if we can't
avoid it, on the principle that " what can't be cured
must be endured." And with your good fires and
snugness it is not so bad. Secure our lodgings, and
we will come over to you about the first of the coming
month ; and I get a solid piece of work done.

If I can utilize the long evenings nothing can be

JET. 70.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 709

better. Then in March or early April, when England
is apt to be raw and rough, but Italy is smiling, we
will rush to meet the spring, and return to England
when that, too, is delightful and its days long and
sunny. Note also, that even an Italian winter may
be chilly and damp, and when it is so, there is no see-
ing galleries and churches without teeth-chattering
and cold-taking, and it is not easy to get warm lodg-
ings and decent fires. This course 3 would suit
me best of all ; for then we, lingering longer than
you might be able to take time for, should return to
England via Vienna and Berlin, which Mrs. Gray has
never seen, and in the latter I have Willdenow's her-
barium to potter over.

Now, my dear old friend, perpend my words (if you
can read them ; I write on an awkward bit of table),
and then have your say.

HOTEL ST. ROMATN, November 21, 1880.

The correspondence of late has naturally been con-
ducted by our respective better halves. I have at
length (after giving Cosson two or three days to name
up his American and Mexican plants) got fairly at
work at the Jardin des Plantes, and have found
(mainly in the herbarium Jussieu) the originals of
several of Lamarck's asters, which gives me happi-
ness. They take every pains to accommodate and
assist one at the herbarium. I see old Decaisne at
his house ; he is not strong.

I think we shall need two weeks more here, and we
hope for better weather than we have yet had. Colds
one always takes at Paris, and Mrs. Gray now has
her share. It took a long while to be clear of the

710 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1880,

one presented to me on our arrival here in October.
But in the south of Spain my throat was as clear
as a whistle. We are not bad just now, and are
hopeful.

I was perfectly sincere in writing that I should pre-
fer returning to Kew for two or three months and to
reserve Italy for the early spring. I shall get more
work out of it so. At the same time I was confident
that it would suit you best, and I am glad that you
jump at it. It may enable us to get off the fag end
(and best part) of Hayden's report, if ever he sends
over the portion in type. I am surprised that it has
not before this come to hand.

TO MISS A. A. GRAY.
HOTEL ST. KOMAIN, PARIS, December 3, 1880.

MY DEAR A., — I cannot tell you how much I was
touched by your letter of the 18th of November, fol-
lowing the round-robin, the letter of Mrs. J. and
that of Charley. And what could have possessed my
brothers and sisters, and nieces, and " their cousins and
your aunts " to club together a contribution on the
occasion, as if nobody in the family had ever got to
have a seventieth birthday, or ever expected to !
Well, it was indeed truly good and thoughtful of you
all, and it gratified me beyond measure. As you
were the organ of the family, upon the occasion, let
me ask you to be the medium for conveying to one
and all my acknowledgments and most hearty thanks
for their words and deeds and kind thoughts of me at
this interesting time.

And now what I am to do with the presents that

JET. 70.] TO MISS A. A. GRAY. 711

have poured in, that is, what am I to present to my-
self in your name, and keep as a souvenir, — that is
the question which is exercising my mind. It must
be something personal to myself, and I am not much
given to personal adornment, and have few personal
wants beyond daily food and clothing, of which I
always say that " the old is better." But I have got
an idea, — which I will not put on paper yet, because
I may change my mind and not carry it out. You
shall see in time.

" Aunt J." and I are having a nice time here in
Paris, in spite of the short and dark days. But we
have been very, very busy, each in our way, and now
and then busy in company, as we have been to-day.
And then at evening we come back to our little room,
and have the nicest little dinner together in the little
salle-a-manger of our little nice hotel ; or rarely we
go out, but never to fare better ; and we have been
invited to three dinner parties, each notable and enjoy-
able in its way. And now I have to-morrow one
more day of botanical work, and then we expect to go
back on Monday to Kew, and to the lodgings which
we occupied a dozen years ago. You can write to
your aunty directly there : Mrs. Shepherd's, " Charl-
ton House," Kew. Don't suppose that because it has
a name, the house is a grand one. Not a bit of it.
But in England, houses, like babies, have names given
them when they are little.

Good-by. With dear love to all, along with thanks,
I am Your affectionate

ASA GRAY.

712 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1880,

TO MESSRS. BEDFIELD AND CANBY.

KEW, December 12, 1880.

MY DEAR BRETHREN, REDFIELD AND CANBY, —
I think I had a letter from each of you, and that you
had some response from me of some sort (and one or
two papers, etc., have come from Redfield), but that
was so far back in memory when we were staying in
Kew before, that it seems to belong to that early phase
in my existence when I was living on the other side
of the ocean ; and that seems as widely distant in
time as the ocean is wide in space ! It is only by the
almanac that we know that we left Cambridge less
than three and a half months ago.

I have not done very much for botany in all that
time ; but Mrs. Gray and I have laid in a stock of
health and vigor, corporeally, and have filled our
heads with such interesting memories ! This and such
constant changes of scene have produced the illusion
I refer to, through which, as through a haze, I dimly
discern last summer. But out of that haze your
bright and kindly faces look undimmed.

Did I tell you (I think I did) of the pleasant fort-
night here in September, when guests at Hooker's ;
when for botany I worked up Oxytropis ; when De
Candolle and wife were here, and Bentham — serene
old man — dined with us almost every day ; of our
crossing one bright day to Paris, and all that ? . . .
Thence, abandoning, from lateness of the season, the
plan of returning through Auvergne, we came on quick
via Nimes, Lyons, etc., to Paris.

There Mrs. Gray and I passed three very busy and
very charming weeks ; also doing some good botanical
work, and having a good time with Decaisne and the

MT. 70.] TO MESSRS. REDFIELD AND CANBY. 713

other botanists at the garden, with Dr. Cosson and
M. Lavallee.1 Then, as the Hookers could not carry-
out their promise of joining us and going together to
Italy now, we agreed to defer that till early spring,
and back we came here for work. We are settled in
our old lodgings on Kew Green, where we feel quite
at home, and are near the Hookers and the herbarium ;
and here I am to polish off the Asteroideae, — some
very rough surfaces in Aster yet to grind down. We
should be pleased to hear from you.

It was at Cordova that I spelled out in Spanish the
welcome news that the Eepublicans had carried the
election, and grandly.

And now, with Mrs. Gray's love joined to mine to
your good wives and children, I am

Cordially yours, ASA GRAY.

Dr. Gray settled down at Kew for hard work, but
as the days were very short, and of course the herba-
rium was closed at dusk, he had long evenings. There
were many pleasant dinners, among others at Mr. John
Ball's, where he met Robert Browning ; and a charm-
ing visit to Lord Ducie at Tortworth, where he was
much interested in the fine and rare trees, and had an
afternoon's visit to see Berkeley Castle, one of the old-
est, if not the oldest, of inhabited castles in England.
He paid another interesting visit to Cambridge, to
Professor Babington, where he had not been since
his visit in 1851, and where among others he met
again Dr. Thompson, then Master of Trinity, who had

1 Alphonse Lavallee, 1835-1884. Paris. " His specialty, ornamen-
tal trees and shrubs, of which he had nearly the largest and best
collection in Europe, studying them with assiduity" [A. G.].

714 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1880,

so kindly received him in 1851. Mr. Lowell was then
minister to England, and there were pleasant meet-
ings with him.

In early March he crossed to Paris, where he was
joined by Sir Joseph and Lady Hooker for a journey
by Mt. Cenis to Italy, going as far south as Castel-
lamare and to Amalfi and Pa3stum, and returning ;
short stays in Rome, Florence, and so to Venice, where
the party divided, Dr. Gray going to Geneva.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

KEW, December 26, 1880.

... I am making slow progress with the Asters.
The original types of all the older species I shall cer-
tainly make out ; but the limitation of the species
presents great, if not insuperable difficulties.

I have read nearly all of Darwin's "Power of
Movement in Plants." It is a veritable research, with
the details all recorded ; and so it is dull reading. I
think it will give the impression to most readers that
the terms " geotropism," " epinasty," " hyponasty," etc.,
contain more of explanation than in fact they do. Yet
now and then a remark should prevent this, as on
page 569, and notably on page 545, at the close of
the chapter, intimating, — I suppose with reason —
that the term " gravity "or " gravitation " is quite
misapplied.

I have just taken up Wallace's " Island Life," and
find the earlier chapters most clear and excellent, but
without novelty. The idea of the persistence of con-
tinents is most commonplace in America since Dana's
address in (I think) 1845, and I should have thought

JOT. 70.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 715

Wallace would have known of the entire prevalence
of that view, at least in the western world.

Rely on me, dear De Candolle, to keep you au cou-
rant with all that concerns your friends here, among
which always remember your devoted,

ASA GRAY.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

KEW, February 19, 1881.

MY DEAR ENGELMANN, — A few days, or say a
week ago, we were gratified by receiving your pleasant
letter of the 31st January. I hasten to reply before
we get afloat again, when writing becomes precarious.
Just now Mrs. Gray and I have our evenings together
in our quiet lodgings, that is, whenever we are not
dining out or the like, which is pretty often.

You know of our movements, then, up to our return
here. The Spanish trip was very pleasant and success-
ful, and the three weeks afterward in Paris both use-
ful and enjoyable. As to botany, it was all given to
Aster and Solidago, at the Jardin des Plantes, and at
Cosson's, who has the herbarium of Schultz,1 Bip.,
which abounds with pickings from many an herba-
rium.

We got over here early in December, and here I
have worked almost every week day till now, except-
ing one short visit down to Gloucestershire, and a
recent trip to Cambridge, where, however, a good piece
of three mornings was devoted to Lindley's asters.
I know the types now of all the older species of North

1 Dr. C. H. Schultz [Bipontinus], 1805-1867. Rhenish Bavaria. A
distinguished botanist, who devoted himself to Composite, and amassed
an extremely rich herbarium in that family.

716 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881,

American aster, Linnaean, Lamarckian, Altonian,
Willdenovian,1 — excepting one of Lamarck's, which I
could not trace in the old materials at Paris; and
Roper writes me that it is not in herbarium La-
marck. As to Nees's asters, most of them are
plenty, as named by him directly or indirectly. But
where, on the dispersion of his herbarium, the Com-
positae went to nobody seems to know, though I have
tried hard to find out. Have you any idea ? But he
made horrid work with the asters, and the Gardens all
along, from the very first, have made confusion worse
confounded. No cultivated specimen, of the older or
the present time, is per se of any authority whatever.
I am deeply mortified to tell you that, with some
little exception, all my botanical work for autumn and
winter has been given to Aster (after five or six
months at home), and they are not done yet ! Never
was there so rascally a genus ! I know at length what
the types of the old species are. But how to settle
limits of species, I think I never shall know. There
are no characters to go by in the group of Vulgar
Asters ; the other groups go very well. I give to
them one more day ; not so much to make up my mind
how to treat a set or two, as how to lay them aside,
with some memoranda, to try at again on getting
home, before beginning to print. The group now left
to puzzle me is of Western Pacific Rocky Mountain
species. The specimens you have collected for me
last summer, when I get them, may help me ; or may
reduce me to blank despair !

1 Willdenow's Asters were sent over to me here ! — A. G.

JET. 70.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 717

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

VENICE, May 1, 1881, Sunday.

As we propose to leave Venice to-morrow, I think I
may say that within ten days you may look to see us
in Geneva. The Hookers, with whom we have jour-
neyed thus far, will proceed more directly home, after
a day or two at the Italian lakes. We propose to fol-
low more leisurely, and, if the road is fairly practica-
ble, to cross the Simplon, and so to Geneva, where,
according to your suggestion, we will go to the Hotel
des Bergues. . . .

We have now been two months in travel, without
respite, and for my part I am fairly sated. I need
the change and rest which a week of botanical re-
search in your herbarium, and of intercourse with its
owner, will afford me.

We have been as far south as Amalfi and Psestum.
We have attended to the proper sight-seeing of Naples,
Rome, Florence, and Venice, and have gained novelty
by seeing also Orvieto, Cortona, and Siena, likewise
Ravenna. We have escaped a disagreeable spring in
England, but at the expense of being everywhere at
least a fortnight too early for the various parts of
Italy ; and I suppose we shall be all the more sensible
of this at the lakes and in crossing the Alps. But the
weather has never been unfavorable, and we have en-
joyed much and worked hard. A week near you in
comparative rest will make an agreeable finale. Our
companions have added much to the enjoyment, and
we are sorry to part with them. They would, I know,
send their best regards and remembrances, but at this
moment they are both out ; but Mrs. Gray, who is
writing by my side, desires me to add her own to

718 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881,

Madame De Candolle and yourself ; and I am always
most sincerely yours, ASA GRAY.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

LUGANO, May 8, 1881.

. . . Mrs. Gray was able to see little of Padua,
beyond the Giotto frescoes and a look into San An-
tonio, the interior of which looked richer than ever.
I kept moving ; took a turn in the pleasant old Bo-
tanic Garden ; found Saccardo ; 1 saw two plants of
Amorphophallus Rivieri in blossom ; was taken up, by
Saccardo's aid, by Dr. Penzig 2 of Breslau, a gentle-
manly young fellow, and of good promise, who took
me in hand at the garden, university, etc.

HOTEL ST. ROMAIN, PARIS, May 22, 1881.
If I write you a letter this evening, having nothing
else to do till bedtime, mind, you, who have every-
thing to do, are not bound to do more than to read it.
Mrs. Gray and Lady Hooker seem to manage corre-
spondence very well, and we may take it easy. But I
want to tell you what a pleasant and restful week we
had at Geneva. The De Candolles were delightful.
He comes in from Vallon every day at ten, and stays
till half past four, and I passed much of the time in
the herbarium, where I had various old dropped
stitches to take up, which I happily accomplished.
As to sociabilities, De Candolle had made a dinner
party for the very day we arrived (Friday), which I
had barely time to get to. I met there Edouard

1 Pietro Andrea Saccardo ; professor at Padua.

2 Otto Penzig, M. D. ; formerly assistant professor at Padua, now
professor at Genoa.

^T. 70.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 719

Naville and his wife, the latter new to me, and a Pour-
tales, cousin of our Count Pourtales, who died last
summer, and who, as a young man, followed Agassiz
to the United States, and was a very important man
to Alexander Agassiz. His death was severely felt
by all of us. Naville, who is a capital Egyptolo-
gist, we knew in Egypt twelve years ago, where he
was exploring Edfou and monographing one of its
acres of wall sculpture and hieroglyphics, and we met
him at De Candolle's the next summer. We went
out last week to his place at Marigny, on the north
side of the lake, charmingly placed, with a full-length
view of Mont Blanc in front ; the lake in the fore-
ground.

Casimir and wife are in England; Lucien off at
some baths for rheumatics. But Lucien's wife was
at De Candolle's, and is a pleasant lady. On Sun-
day De Candolle sent in his coupe, and took Mrs.
Gray and me to dinner en f amille at Vallon, — only
Madame Lucien and some grandchildren. Vallon is
a very pretty place and the house charming. Madame
De Candolle is lively, even sprightly in her own house,
and, I may as well tell you, is greatly in love with
Lady Hooker. We were sent home in the coupe in
great style ; as also we were on Friday evening last,
when De Candolle gave us, for parting, a small dinner
party, — Professors Wartmann and Saussure, and the
banker Lombard, — Plantamour, the astronomer, being
detained by the stars ; his wife came, however. All
these Genevese speak English well, except Madame
De Candolle, who gets off a little, and what with
this and their pleasant ways, we were quite at home
with them,.

720 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881,

Boissier had written to us to come down to Valeyres,
but he had expected us earlier. As he was to be off
in less than a week, and Mrs. Gray well used up, on
reaching Geneva, we declined, and begged- him to
come to Geneva, which he did on Monday, and stayed
well into Tuesday. He took me to his herbarium,
which is large and well kept, and I looked up some
old things of Lagasca's, which I could find no trace
of at Madrid. Barbey I regretted not to see. He
goes with his father-in-law to the Balearic Isles, —
goes, indeed, because he is concerned for Boissier's
health, and well he may be.

Argovian Miiller I saw something of ; busy and
happy in the care of the garden, the Delessert herba-
rium, and the professorship in the new university,
built up with the late Duke of Brunswick's money.
The death of his only son was a great blow to him ;
but he seems cheerful and is very busy. De Can-
dolle is working over Cultivated Plants and their
origin. . . .

I see I must go home this autumn, and, indeed,
that seems best on almost all accounts. So I should
be at Kew soon, and once there I must set myself to
work most diligently, and make the most of what
time remains.

I hear nothing as yet of Bentham. I hope he is
going on well, and the Gramineae nearly finished, and
that he will next take up Liliacese. . . .

Aix LA CHAPELLE, June 8, 1881.

. . . Then we took train on the road down the Mo-
selle (which we had followed from Metz). From
Treves halfway down to Coblentz the country had a

^T. 70.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 721

decidedly American river look ; that is, it constantly
reminded one of the Mohawk or the Unadilla, — small
rivers of my native State and district, and with just
such rounded wooded hills and smooth, well cultivated
slopes, and wide stretches of meadow and grain fields.
Then came the picturesque portion with precipitous
hillsides and crags covered with vines wherever a bit
of soil could be found to hold them, extending down
to Coblentz. We went on by the railroad down the
left bank of the Rhine to Cologne, which we reached
late in the afternoon and left at three this P. M. ;
reached this place at half past four ; and while Mrs.
Gray rested, I have explored till our half past six dinner
hour. Treves was an interesting place, though it need
not detain one long. Cologne we were glad to see
again, and were as much interested in its old Roman-
esque churches as in its cathedral,1 which certainly is
much bettered by the completion of the nave and the
west front and towers, — I may say towers and spires,
— for they make nearly all the west front. It does
not compare with Reims, so far as fa£ade goes. . . .

On reaching Paris in June Dr. Gray met again his
old friend Decaisne and many others, and there was
much pleasant hospitality at the hands of friends new
and old. He especially enjoyed a day at Verrieres,
seeing, in the old home of M. and Mme. de Vilmorin,
the dear friends of thirty years before, the oldest son
Henri with his wife and children, the grandchildren
of M. and Mine. V. of the corresponding ages and
number as the family of young people whom he met
in the first visit in 1851.

1 Seen first in 1850, with its temporary roof and bases of towers.

722 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881,

On returning to Kew, though the time until leaving
late in October was busy with steady work, there were
pleasant breaks with visits and excursions. He had
the pleasure of meeting Dean Stanley, first at the
christening of a daughter of Professor Flower's, and
was to have dined with him, but the dinner was post-
poned on account of a slight indisposition of the Dean,
which developed into his fatal illness.

There were many pleasant visits and excursions,
some delightful stays in Devonshire and Somerset-
shire, when pleasant acquaintances were renewed. He
spent a few days again at Down with Mr. Darwin,
and in August he went to York for the meeting of the
British Association. He stayed with Mr. Backhouse,
the well-known horticulturist, and saw his wonderful
underground caves of ferns, and his successful alpine
garden, and enjoyed the social as well as the scientific
meetings.

At Kew he was surrounded with friends, renewing
the close intimacy with his old and lifelong friend
Sir Joseph Hooker; was near his friends at the Dean-
ery at St. Paul's and at Broom House ; and he
rested now and then with a day's sight-seeing. The
days passed all too quickly until the time came for
breaking up for the return to America. There was a
short stay at Oxford, with Sir Henry Acland, most in-
teresting days, and again at Manchester at Professor
and Mrs. Williamson's hospitable home, and then the
voyage to America, when he landed early in Novem-
ber.

JET. 70.] TO MESSRS. CANBY AND REDFIELD. 723

TO MESSRS. CANBY AND REDFIELD.

KEW, July 15, 1881.
MY DEAR OLD FRIENDS, CANBY AND REDFIELD, —

How very long it is since you have heard, at least
directly, from your Old World wanderers ! How long
and from whence, is more than I can tell. I use now
an enforced half hour before an engagement, and
when it is, would you believe it for England ? too hot
to go across the Green to use the half hour at the
herbarium, where I have sweltered all the morning,
regular Philadelphia heat, and this is the third day of
this the second heated term.

I wrote you from Italy, I think.

. . . It is hopeless now to try to give any narration
of our doings. The flavor would have all evaporated
in the attempt to recall and review the past spring.

I think you know our routes, from Paris in March
to Turin, to Genoa, Pisa, Rome, Naples, and the
country around, Amalfi and Psestum our most south-
ern points ; then Rome again and a twelve days' stay,
then a run to Orvieto and Cortona on the route to
Florence, a visit to Siena from Florence, a detour
from Bologna to Ravenna, most old-world of towns,
thence to Venice, a week only. And as we left it, the
Hookers, whose furlough was running out, dropped
us at Padua, whence, passing Verona, where we had
been before, we had a day at Brescia, thence to Milan,
Como and up the lake, and over to Lugano, and back
to Milan. Thence to Arona at foot of Lake Mag-
giore, and a drive all the way up to Domo d' Ossola,
and then diligence over the Simplon pass and through
the snow, and down to Brieg, and on to Martigny
to sleep, and then on to Geneva, where we passed a

724 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881,

delicious week, with De Caiidolle and other friends
to enjoy, and a little botany to attend to in the her-
barium. And then in one day we went to Paris, and
stayed three weeks, while Mrs. Gray did her feminine
matters, and I a deal of botany work, and both a little
sight-seeing. Thence, sending our luggage before to
London, we swung off for Soissons and the old castle
of Coucy, and Reims, and Treves, and down the Mo-
selle to Coblentz, and the Rhine (that is, by rail) to
Cologne, to enjoy the finished cathedral ; thence to
Aix la Chapelle, to Bruxelles, and then, with a fine
day and smooth water, over to England ; and here at
Kew we have been settled ever since, engaging in a
deal of botanical work and a deal of society in a
most agreeable way, and a little (thus far only a lit-
tle) sight-seeing. As we come towards the end, we
grow busier every day, and count the time closer.
For we expect to return in October, to reach home
(^Deofavente) either at the end of that month or be-
fore the middle of November ; the day and vessel not
yet quite fixed. . . .

There are lots of things to write about, but the
sheet is full, and I must only say I am

Yours affectionately, ASA GRAY.

TO B. W. CHURCH.

RICHMOND HOUSE, KEW.

... It is really serious, this leaving England, and
choice friends in it, when one considers that, whatever
I may fondly say, I cannot expect to see it again, —
I do not say them.

Affectionately yours, ASA GRAY.

MT. 71.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 725

CAMBRIDGE, MASS., November 14, 1881.

MY DEAR FRIEND, — Dr. Holmes is a good soul,
and has just sent me the inclosed for the autograph
which I promised H. 1 wish she, and especially that
M., could be here now, to enjoy our exquisite dry and
stimulating air, which, with American oysters, should
set her up completely.

I have missed Freeman. He had gout and some
other engagements, which took him from Boston the
day before we landed. My critical friends at Cam-
bridge say that his lectures were disappointing. They
say he took no pains in preparation, or at least fell
into the common habit of your countrymen when they
come here, that is, of giving lectures and water. The
Bostonians prefer, and appreciate, something more
concentrated and higher proof.

I do hope you will promise Mr. Lowell a course of
lectures, few or more, next October.

The foundation of the Lowell lectures requires that
courses shall be delivered, as often as possible, on sub-
jects pertaining to Christianity, natural religion, etc.,
which may come as near to sermons as you like.
Pray do not decline the invitation offhand. You
would have a most appreciative audience. You see
we are counting upon you, with two daughters at
least, for the next summer and autumn. In haste, to
save the post,

Affectionately yours, ASA "GRAY.

TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.

CAMBRIDGE, December 13, 1881.

MY DEAR OLD FRIEND, — It is shabby of me to
wait so long in response to your kindly greetings,
which were dated on my birthday, November 18.

726 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881,

But I was very busy when it came, and hardly less so
since, and so I let it get out of sight.

Well, here we are once more, leaving dear friends
on the other side, and now among our own kith and
kin.

Glad to hear of your pleasant summer, and pretty
good health now.

We had a favorable voyage home, which is more
than those just before could say, and far more than
any since. . . .

Nees's asters, of his own herbarium, I can nowhere
find or hear of. But I don't believe his herbarium
(which was sold piecemeal) would have helped me
much, considering how he has named asters for other
herbaria. . . .

Accumulated collections, of Lemmon, Parish,1 Cu-
sick,2 etc., especially have taken all my time up to
now, after getting my home in order, a deal of trouble.
And now I can think of getting at my " Flora " work
again.

First of all, I am to make complete as I can my
manuscript for Solidago and Aster. Solidago I always
find rather hopeful. Aster, as to the Asteres genuini,
is my utter despair ! Still I can work my way
through except for the Rocky Mountain Pacific
species.

I will try them once more, though I see not how to
limit species, and to describe specimens is endless
and hopeless. So send on your things. But first I
am to print, pari passu with my final elaboration, an
article, "Studies in Solidago and Aster," — taking
the former first, giving an account of what I have

1 Samuel B. Parish, San Bernardino, Cal.

2 William Cusick, Crowell, Oregon.

JET. 71.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 727

made out in the old herbaria, stating investigations
which I can only give the condensed result of in the
"Flora," etc. Considerable change as to some old
species.

When I have done the Solidago, then Aster in that
way. . . .

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, December 29, 1881.

I am doubtful if I have written to you since our
return, and my New Year greetings will reach you
somewhat late, but are very hearty. I could hardly
have neglected to send you word of the satisfaction
with which we look upon the fine bust of your father,
which stands at one end of our herbarium; Robert
Brown and William J. Hooker at the other, and your
lithographic portrait overhead is replaced by the more
striking photograph you gave us.

At length we are settled in our home ; have had for
the twenty-fifth time the annual Christmas family
gathering, for which my study, being the largest room
in the house, is always upturned and emptied, and I
should be quietly at work upon the Composite, were
it not for an attack of lumbago, that uncomfortable
attendant of old age, which just now interferes with
my activity, without actually laying me up. . . . We,
Mr. Watson and I, are still much occupied with the
distribution, and therefore in good part the study, of
the recent collections which have accumulated here
and are still coming in. Much valuable time do they
consume. The most interesting are from Arizona,
etc., near the Mexican frontier, among which those we
have most to do with are by Lemmon and by Pringle.1

1 C. G. Pringle ; for many years has explored the botany of Mexico.

728 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1881,

The former, I know, — and I shall soon know as to the
latter, — has sets to dispose of, and I think you would
like to have them. We formerly have taken a deal
of trouble in assisting such collectors in the disposal
of their plants offered for sale, but we are obliged now
to leave aside such affairs, as they consume too much
time.

I have no other botanical news for you. Dr. En-
gelmann, who of late has roamed a good deal, is now
at home, and busy with botanical work, of various
sorts, Isoetes, Cupressus, etc. It is quite probable
that he will cross the ocean again next spring, in
which case you will probably see him. Professor
Sargent is busy with his forest reports in connection
with the United States Census of 1880. Mr. Watson
in this service made a long journey through our
northwest region, while I was in Europe, at too late a
season for much ordinary botany ; and he has been
otherwise too busy since his return even to look over
his collections.

My colleague, Professor Goodale, giving over to
Professor Farlow the university lectures, etc., is now
abroad with his whole family, to recruit health and
acquire information. You will see him at Geneva in
spring or summer, and I commend him to you as a
dear friend and a very valuable man. My wife joins
me in kind remembrances and best New Year wishes
to Madame De Candolle and yourself, and I am
always your devoted ASA GRAY.

\

TO J. D. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, December 25, 1881.

... I am kept indoors this pleasant Christmas
Sunday, which is here as fine and bright a day as was-

JST. 71.] TO SIR EDWARD FRY. 729

the Christmas of last year, which we passed with you,
and which comes up fresh to our memories. . . .

I have just cleared off the portion of accessions to
herbarium which had accumulated here and which I
had myself to see to, and am settling down to my
Compositous work. And now I am taking an oath
that when I do get about them I will hold on to the
bitter end, that is, I suppose till I reach the Worm-
woods. And now I must go to Washington on the
18th prox. for meeting of Smithsonian regents. . . .

Sargent has got his arboretum at length on to the
hands of the city of Boston to make the roads for,
to repair and to light and police. He seems to have
made a mark in his Census forestry work. He has
developed not only a power of doing work, but of get-
ting work done for him by other people, and so can
accomplish something.

January 27, 1882.

. . . My whole soul is in the " Mora of North Amer-
ica," but the new things that come in, owing to open-
ing of Arizona and other railways, and which have to
be seen to, keep Watson and myself so busy. So our
movement is like marking time four days to going
ahead one. . . .

Engelmann promises to make us a visit in the
spring. How I shall make him work! No other
news just now.

TO SIB EDWARD FRY.

CAMBRIDGE, February 26, 1882.

MY DEAR SIR EDWARD, — It is high time that
I thanked you for a very pleasant letter which at
the beginning of the year you kindly wrote me from

730 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1882,

Failand House, a place which is very green in our
memories. It reached us at Washington, where, with
Mrs. Gray as my inseparable companion, I went to
attend the annual meeting of the regents of the Smith-
sonian Institution. We were away from home little
more than a week, and even in that time we managed
to bring in a little visit to friends in Philadelphia.

This miserable trial of Guiteau, of which you al-
ready knew unpleasant particulars, was still in pro-
gress ; but I did not go near the court-room, and
could not readily have been induced to do so. The
day after I received your letter I met an acquaintance,
one of the judges of the Court of Claims (a court for
trying claims against the United States government
preferred by citizens or others, and much is it to be
wished that a mass of claims presented to Congress
and cumbering its committees could be passed over to
this court), and I drew him into conversation upon
the scandal which the trial was causing. He spoke of
Judge Cox as a man of ability and high character, re-
ferred to the impossibility of shutting the prisoner's
mouth, the expectation that the man's prolonged reve-
lation of himself before the jury would throw more
light upon the case than any amount of expert testi-
mony, which I think was expected to be more con-
tradictory than it actually was, and of the determina-
tion to leave no ground for the ordering of a new
trial. My friend told me he had been twice in the court-
room, thought the judge might and should have ex-
ercised more control, yet that what he saw and heard
did not appear to him at the time so indecorous and
offensive as it appeared when presented in the news-
papers. Indeed, this sensational newspaper reporting
is a huge nuisance, and in respect to these matters our

JET. 71.] TO SIR EDWARD FRY. 731

highest-class daily papers are little better than the
lowest. I suppose the telegraph reporting for the
press is all done by one set of men, and the more sen-
sational the reports the more welcome to the papers,
which, with few exceptions, print without any selec-
tion or discrimination.

I have settled down to my work with enjoyment,
but with a growing sense of discouragement growing
out of an embarras de richesses. It was natural to
find here a great accumulation of collections of North
American plants, all needing examination ; but unfor-
tunately, they continue to come in faster than I can
study and dispose of them. This comes from the
increasing number of botanical explorers, and the
new facilities offered to them by new railroads along
our southwestern frontiers and other out-of-the-way
regions. The consequence is, that while new and in-
teresting things are pouring in, which one must attend
to, and which are very enjoyable, I do not get ahead
with the steady and formidable work of the " North
American Mora." I begin to think it were a happier
lot to have the comparatively completed botany of an
old country to study, in which your work " were done
when 't were done," and in which, even if it were not
done quickly, you were not called on to do it over and
over, to bring the new into shape and symmetry with
the old.

By the way, I finally wrote out an article on a ques-
tion which you once treated, and upon which we more
than once conversed, taking for my text a paragraph
in Lubbock's address at York last summer. I had
partly promised Mr. Walter Browne to write it, so I
sent it to him ; and as a proof from the " Contempo-
rary Review " has come back to me, I suppose it may

732 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1882,

be printed before long.1 I shall be curious to know
what you think of it.

I sent you a portion of a New York religious news-
paper containing a sort of review of two books with
which I beguiled the voyage last October or Novem-
ber. It is of no great consequence. But I sometimes
write such reviews or articles to papers of this kind,
which are endeavoring to do their best in bridging
over the gap between the thoughts of a former gener-
ation, or of our younger days, and of the present day.
I believe such articles are now and then helpful.

You supposed that I had seen the "Lyell's Life
and Letters " sooner than I had. To my surprise the
volumes are not reprinted in America ; and I have
only just succeeded in procuring a copy from England.

I have read a good deal of it, and with much inter-
est. The allusion to me, which you referred to, was
of course very pleasant. The last chapter of the
" Antiquity of Man " had apprised me (for I never
had any direct correspondence with Lyell) that we
thought much alike on such matters ; and we are apt
to approve views which agree with our own. I always
thought Lyell a very level-headed man, — one with a
very judicial turn of mind ; and his letters and journal
bring this out well, as they do the whole life and the
charming character of the man. It is interesting to
see how early he took the line which he followed in his
whole life's work, and which has changed the face of
geology and philosophical natural history. For, in-
deed, Lyell is as much the father of the new mode of
thought which now prevails as is Darwin. I have
said a word about this, which I will try to send you.

That is a noble letter to Mr. Spedding, about the

1 Contemporary Review, xli.

JET. 71.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 733

American war. We knew that was in him. During
the time of trouble, our then minister in London, Mr.
Adams, and Mrs. Adams used to say that Sir Charles
and Lady Lyell were almost their only, and their
very stanch and efficient supporters.

If you happen to know who the author of " The
New Analogy," by Cellarius, is, I beg you will let me
know. Although as a whole it may not amount to
much, there are some capital hits in it.

I have been writing you a monstrously long letter.
I have only space to ask you to give my kind remem-
brances to Lady Fry and the young people, of all
whom we have such happy memories.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

March 16, 1882.

. . . Your letter of the 25th of February tells me
of the will of dear Decaisne, whom we shall miss
greatly. The main disadvantage of our years is in
these losses, which to us are never made up. He was
a very true friend. . . .

I am glad you will make a supplement to the " Lois."
When you have it in hand I wish you would com-
municate to me, in letter, your main points on the
critical questions. You, Bentham, and I are most in
accord ; and we ought to agree, essentially. Upon
any critical points, I had much rather make my com-
ments, for whatever they may be worth, before you
print than afterwards. I have kept phsenogamous
botany essentially orthodox in the United States. . . .

May 15.

... It is now all but a year since Mrs. Gray and
I had that charming week at Geneva !

734 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1882,

Much has happened since then. We have lost dear
old Decaisne ; and now Darwin ! We hardly should
have thought, twenty-five years ago, that he would
have made such an impression upon the great world,
as well as on the scientific world !

I do not know if you ever saw much of him. He
was a very charming man.

Here we have lost, at a good age, both Longfellow
and Emerson.

I have been anxious about Bentham, from whom
there were discouraging accounts ; but his last letters
are hopeful, and he is steadily at work. Let me
hope, and let me know, that you are quite well ; also
Madame De Candolle.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, September 17, 1882.

... At Montreal we were guests of Dawson, who
wanted to return some hospitality we had afforded
him and his daughter. . . . Dawson has toiled for a
lifetime at Montreal, under many discouragements,
has accomplished a deal, and deserves great credit.

. . . We had a pleasant time, and this fortnight in
Canada was my only vacation. I went to visit the
grave of Pursh, who died at forty-six. They have put
his bones in their pretty cemetery, and put a neat
stone over them. . . .

Glad you are to send me scraps of one or more
species of Dyer. It should have been a tinctorial
genus. . . .

TO R. W. CHURCH.

October 8, 1882.

It is probable that I have not responded by a line
to your letter of April 13, yet I think my wife has

^T. 71.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 735

written more than once to the Deanery, and we have
had good accounts of the visit to Italy, which appears
to have been a great enjoyment to all of you. And
now we have the news of H.'s engagement, which
must give you a novel sensation. How time flies and
events develop ! It seems but a little while since she
and her sisters were little girls at Whatley. And now,
when this reaches you, a year will have gone round
since we said goodby in London.

I have not much to say nor to show for this year.
Though I have* never worked more steadily, and never
with so much concentration, there seems to be little to
show for it. At times I am disheartened, but a hope
as irrepressible as I suppose it is unreasonable and
extravagant bears me up and on. There is, indeed,
a good pile of manuscript to show, but I will not be-
gin printing until I have gone through with the vast
order of Compositse. That may be at Christmas, — I
may say I expect it, — but I never yet came up to
any such expectation. To give you some idea of what
my task is, I hope to send you soon a copy of an ex-
hortation which I read to the botanists at the recent
meeting of our American Association for Advance-
ment of Science at Montreal (in the Queen's domin-
ions !) This journey to Canada was my only holiday
this past summer; though Mrs. Gray got as much
more, with her brothers and sisters at Beverly, on the
coast ; a bit of country and of country life we are long-
ing to have you see.

The gathering at Montreal was most pleasant, and
we were happily placed as the guests of the president
of the year, Dr. Dawson, principal of McGill College,
at which the sessions were held. Among the foreign
savants, we had . . . Eev. and also M. D. Professor

736 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1882,

Haughton, of Trinity College, Dublin, a man of very
varied knowledge, ... a somewhat rollicking com-
panion, which, however, did not hinder his preaching
a goodly and serious sermon in the Cathedral on Sun-
day; I believe rather eminent in mathematics, and
who has done a good piece of physico-physiological
work on muscular power. But what took me by sur-
prise was his intense, truly Irish hatred of England,
and of Gladstone in particular. Probably he did not
like the disestablishment of the Irish church.

And as to Ireland, — what a year you have had,
and only dim hopes that the next will be better ; I
do hope Gladstone will hold on and hold out. The
Egyptian affair, as it turns out, must strengthen his
administration not a little. Ever since we were in
Egypt, I have been longing to have England take the
control of that country, as the only hope of the fel-
lahs and Copts, — the only people there for whom one
has any sympathy.

I was to write you about the great brimming St.
Lawrence, and of our trip down it to the Saguenay.
But Mrs. Gray will be writing all that, and also giving
my hearty good wishes to H., dear soul. But I have
not left room even to say how sincerely I remain,
Yours affectionately and truly, ASA GKAY.

December 11.

You ought to have heard from me before this, but
you have probably got information indirectly of my
little mishap, which may account for not writing with
my own hand. Not a quite sufficient excuse ; for at
much inconvenience I managed very soon to do some
writing, in awkward fashion, as well as to turn over
specimens ; otherwise I should have been unhappy.

^T. 72.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 737

Well, hard upon six weeks ago, I managed to break
the top of my right shoulder-blade. It was done
by a bit of carelessness, not to say foolhardiness, by
continuing to do at seventy-two what I have done in
former years, relying too much on my quickness and
sureness of foot in stepping off a horse-car (anglice,
tram) when in motion. In the darkness I supposed
it had slowed up, which in fact it had not, and so a bad
fall. Well, the bone is thought to be well mended,
and I use the arm for certain purposes almost as well
as ever, but cannot yet get my clothes on and off
without assistance. My wife, as you will believe, has
been a capital nurse, and she credits me with a most
unexpected amount of patience. . . .

But if you don't come soon I shall despair of you.
And Gladstone, I know, will be tempting you ; but I
doubt if you will budge, except he would place you in
more sunny quarters than the Deanery, — a place
which corporeally I know is not at all good for you,
nor for Mrs. Church.

I read that you have preached a sermon in commem-
oration of Dr. Pusey, at Oxford, which I hope you
will print, and I count on receiving a copy. I prize
very much a copy of a discourse by Dr. Pusey, given
me through Acland when we were there a year and a
quarter ago, addressed to me in a very flattering way.

By the telegraph we learn you are having a very
severe snowstorm, attended with suffering. We are
now having our sixth of this winter ; but we do not
mind it.

I rejoice with you at Gladstone's success. He and
Dufferin have earned laurels. Let us hope he will
hold out several years yet, and continue at the helm.
But how cordially he is hated !

738 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1882,

Here we get on, prosper, indeed, quite without wis-
dom, or with very little of it. One of these days we
shall need it. There are things I should like to write
about. But my arm is not up to continued use.

Mrs. Gray will send messages propria manu. So,
with my kindest regards to Mrs. Church and all your
happy family, I am affectionately,

Yours, ASA GRAY.

TO SIB EDWARD FRY.

BEVERLY FARMS, December 1, 1882.

We were very sorry to read in the telegraphic news
a few days ago of the destruction of Clevedon Court
by fire, a most sad and unexpected thing, but we hope
not so bad as the brief announcement portends, It
brought back to our memory the delightful afternoon
which Mrs. Gray and I passed there a year and some
months ago. A modern house can be replaced, but
not an old hall like this. It makes us sad to think of
it. Perhaps you can tell us that the loss was exag-
gerated in the telegraphic account.

I am writing from the house of Mrs. Gray's brother,
on the seashore, where we are passing the " Thanks-
giving " holiday. " Thanksgiving Day " is a Puritan
institution, was formerly confined to New England
and the districts settled by New Englanders, and has
been kept from the time of the landing of the Pil-
grims at Plymouth, and is annually appointed by the
governors of these States by proclamation. But
within the last fifteen or twenty years it has become
national, and the day, the fourth or the last Thursday
in November, is announced by a proclamation by the
President. In New England it long took the place
of Christmas, for which you know the Puritans had

^T. 72.] TO SIR EDWARD FRY. 739

no liking, and was the chief family gathering-day as
well as a day of religious service, or at least of politi-
cal sermonizing. But Christmas is completely re-
stored even in New England, though the other holi-
day is not dropped.

The north shore of Massachusetts Bay is very
pretty, the shore backed with woods and rocks, and
sheltered against the northeast bleak winds ; and the
situation where we are is one of the choicest. It is
near the mouth of Salem Bay, Salem at the head,
three or four miles above, and the hills beyond close
the view at the west; the peninsula of Marblehead
lies opposite on the south, dividing this water from
that of Boston Bay ; southeast the sea-line is broken
only by three or four low islands. When my good
father-in-law bought tl^e land here, then waste wood
and sheep-pasture, forty years and more ago, it was
two or three hours from Boston. Now a railway
brings it within an hour, and now the whole coast
down to Cape Ann is occupied with what you would
call villa residences, the grounds of all the most de-
sirable ones reaching to the water, partly with rocky
shores wooded with pine-trees and junipers, partly
with sandy beaches, good for bathing-grounds. This
place combines the two, and is well wooded at the
back, and commands the most beautiful views. Most
of the houses are used only for summer residences ;
but this is occupied the year round. I have never
been here in the winter before. Winter we are here
in the midst of already, unusually early, and the
ground is white with snow, of which there is usually
little before Christmas. But our winter differs from
yours in its sunshine, the brilliancy and cheer of which
is a good offset for the colder weather, or at least the
lower thermometer.

740 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1882,

A good number of our English acquaintances have
been over this autumn. Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter are
among the last to return. He has just closed a pop-
ular course of Lowell lectures, and they go back a
week or two hence. One hardly knows what brought
Herbert Spencer. He seems most to have enjoyed
Niagara, where he stayed a week. I do not think the
dinner demonstration for him at New York amounted
to very much ; nor do I take stock in the statement,
the truth of which he took for granted, that the hair
turns gray in the United States ten years earlier than
in England. I should say the only difference is, that
there is more hair remaining here to turn gray at
middle age or later. Spencer also told us of a dis-
covery he had made, that all Americans had the outer
corners of their eyes lower than the inner, the oppo-
site of our antipodes, the Mongols.

I have just returned from a " sleigh ride." Snow,
though a nuisance in towns, is a convenience in the
country, greatly facilitating travel, and a drive upon
runners instead of wheels, well wrapped in furs and
with buffalo robes, is much enjoyed.

At the end of August, Mrs. Gray and I went to
Montreal, to the meeting of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, where we were guests
of the president, Dr. Dawson. We made an excursion
to Ottawa, the new seat of government, and another
down the noble St. Lawrence and up its picturesque
tributary, the Saguenay. Otherwise we have been
at home all the summer and autumn. And so we
expect to be all winter, save perhaps a week in Wash-
ington.

... I think I have long owed your son Ports-
mouth a letter, but, though I should be glad to hear

JET. 72.] TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 741

from him, and to know how he is getting on at Ox-
ford, I cannot pay my debt to him to-day. And some
twinges tell me that it is time to spare you.

I will just add that what we hear prepares us to
expect that before this reaches you, or even leaves this
country, we may hear that the good and wise Arch-
bishop of Canterbury will have gone to his rest ; and
Gladstone will have a most responsible as well as the
most dignified position to fill.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

CAMBRIDGE, December 17, 1882.

I must not let the New Year come to you without
repairing my delay in the way of letter-writing, and
sending you greeting and good wishes for the season.
Especially I may congratulate you, and felicitate our-
selves, that is, we botanists, that you have, or will
have, brought your opus magnum to a completion !
— proof-reading excepted. A great thing to have done.
I did not make reply to your last of October 14, be-
cause I really could say nothing about the Eriocau-
lonese. . . .

Yes, I have De Candolle on Cultivated Plants, and
am well pleased with it, so far as I have looked it
over.

Thanks for your complimentary mention of my
notice of Darwin. I have since sent you another
brochure, an exhortation to my botanical compatriots
to have more consideration for my time, considering
how little is left, and what a deal of use I have for
it. I can hope only to palliate the evil a little.

Your life has been a most enviable one, in being
able so to arrange and control your time, and with
your indomitable industry, perseverance, and judgment,

742 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1883,

you have turned your opportunities to full account,
winning no end of gratitude and admiration. Now,
do take the relaxation and repose which you have so
completely earned ; and take, as you may, great sat-
isfaction and pride in all you have accomplished.
At least your many friends will do so. ...

I did hope to have got to the end of the Composite
with the end of 1882 ; bnt I shall hardly do more
than finish the Helenioidea3. As I go on, I study all
Mexican border things, at least these of our North
American collectors.

My health is excellent ; so I may fairly hope to get
the North American Compositse off my hands and in
print, barring accidents, and I shall be careful of my
bones, and other contingencies. . . .

TO J. D. HOOKER.

May 1, 1883.

... I have not read Carlyle's Life, by Froude, but
many articles, in which of course the points are
mostly given. All seem to agree that Froude has
blackened the memory of Carlyle irrecoverably, or
rather with rude hand wiped off the whitewash which
covered the blackness. He was a rude, unkempt soul.
From the extracts I have seen, I fancy that Mrs. Car-
lyle's letters beat Carlyle's all out for raciness and
pith.

I am content with the Romane correspondence as
R. leaves it, and pleased with Romane's tone, which
I will try to tell him.

I think his first reply was a " beating of the air."
And for that reason I returned to the charge. His
second is to the purpose. And he seems to feel that
mine was to the purpose also.

^T. 72.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 743

... As to dear Bentham, his life is the very ideal
of a naturalist's life, and I have always regarded it
one of the happiest possible and one of the most suc-
cessful. . . . His administration of the Linnaean, his
series of addresses, etc., will be looked back to as an
oasis in the desert.

Our spring is late ; the winter, or rather the
drought of the previous autumn, has been deadly on
perennials, herbs and shrubs. . . .

TO R. W. CHURCH.

May 22, 1883.

... I wish to condole with you over a hardship
which you write of, that of having to write a book on
Lord Bacon. I quite understand that you should
bemoan your fate at being drawn into that undertak-
ing. I cannot think it at all to your liking. Bacon,
of all people, if the best is to be made of him. I fancy,
should be written of by a worldly-wise, if not a worldly-
minded man. Moreover, I must confess to a heretical
opinion as to another side of Bacon, that in which
English, and all English-speaking, people glory. To
blab it out : I have an ugly notion that he was rather
a sciologist than a man of science, and that he really
did nothing of real consequence for the furtherance
of science ; nothing to be compared with Galileo, a real
father of " inductive philosophy " and scientific inves-
tigation — and Pascal. By the way, taking the two
men all round, do you not think a taking parallel
could be run with Bacon and Pascal ?

Now, to change the subject, — what a noble old man
Gladstone is, and what a great name he is going to
leave as a high-minded statesman ! I could envy you,
if it were in my way, the privilege of his friendship.

744 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1883,

H. was so good as to write me a charming letter
from her new home, for which please give her my
thanks.

By the way, if you see our observatory director,
Pickering, you will find him an unaffected man, wise
in science above his years.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, September 3, 1883.

MY DEAR HOOKER, — A letter of yours of July
24 has been on my table a good while, and now to-
day comes yours of August 22. So I am to write
you at once, urged thereto mainly by your quandary
about subspecies, varieties, and how to manage them in
a popular flora like the British, in which forms need
to be distinguished more than in outlandish floras.

I have a decided opinion as to the form of treat-
ment, and from your letter, as well as I can gather, I
coincide with Ball. At least, I would not have sub-
species. They are, as the saying goes, " neither flesh,
fowl, nor good red herring."

Some you would accept as species ; make of the
rest varieties, with names.

In characterizing species having marked varieties,
should the specific character comprehend the forms or
varieties, and then there be a " var. a " or type, or
" typical form ? "

I thought over this when I began my " Synoptical
Flora," and concluded that it was best to characterize
the species on its genuine representatives only. Of
course as far as practicable, and indeed for all but
some special points, the characters will, and should,
cover the whole. And at the end of the character, you
have only to add, the type of the species has so and

^T. 72.] TO GEORGE BENTHAM. 745

so ; then the variety or varieties with the special dif-
ferentia.

From pretty large practice I find this works best,
and probably your experience will have brought you
to the same conclusion. . . .

" Liberavi animum meum," and it may go for what
you find it worth. ... I did not know that " Amer-
icans," i. e., good Americans, did say, " so and so in-
termarried with so and so." I see Ravenel, a Caro-
linian, says so.

TO GEORGE BENTHAM.

CAMBRIDGE, September 25, 1883.

MY DEAR BENTHAM, — I am so glad to receive a let-
ter giving so comfortable an account of yourself ; glad
also that you would like to hear from me ; glad to
announce that, though there are still some genera to
revise, I can tell you that I am about to begin the
printing of the " Synoptical Flora," containing Capri-
f oliacese - Composite, — which when done, I shall feel
something of the relief you must have had when the
" Genera " was off your hands. That done, I look,
with only that mitigated confidence that becomes an
old man, for a bit of holiday, such as is always re-
invigorating to Mrs. Gray and myself. I am so sorry
you had to take up with a sick-room instead. But as
you are now picking up finely, could you not be made
comfortable and get rid of an English November and
December by revisiting the scenes of your youth in
the south of France ? . . .

I think I sent you Trumbull's 1 (mostly) and my

1 J. Hammond Trumbull, of Hartford, Conn. ; a great authority
on Indian languages and customs, and author of many contributions,
historical and philological. Perhaps the only American scholar able
to read Eliot's Bible.

746 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1883,

annotations on De Candolle's " L'Origine des Plantes
Cultivees." If not, let me know, for you have leisure
to read now.

I am busy with an article on De Candolle's " Nou-
velles Remarques sur la Nomenclature." As it may
be my last say on the subject, I am going to make a
rather elaborate article on nomenclatural and phyto-
graphical points, mostly small points, some of which I
should have liked to confer with you about. I would
have done so, but I feared, in the reported state of
your health, to trouble you.

There are two or three small points, about name-
citation and name-making, upon which I shall venture
to criticise the " Genera Plantarum." But in almost
everything we are in full accord, as you know, and I
wish to impress the accordance upon the younger
botanists of the United States. Nowadays, more than
formerly, they get hold of many books, German and
other — books, many of them, better for substance
than for form ; and so our botanists need guidance
and some show of authority.

Engelmann has come home, looking far better than
we expected, or than he thought to be ; is visiting Sar-
gent, and will soon come to us. ...

TO SIB EDWARD FRY.

November 10, 1883.

In a line which I remember adding to Mrs. Gray's
last letter to Lady Fry I expressed a hope and con-
fident expectation that we should have done with
General Butler as governor of Massachusetts. The
election occurred last Tuesday ; an extraordinarily
large vote was cast : Butler was defeated by 10,000,
and an excellent man, a member of Congress from the

^x. 72.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 747

central part of the State, a lawyer, who makes consid-
erable sacrifice in taking the governorship, is chosen
in his place, and there is a majority of two thirds in
both branches of the legislature to support him. We
hope that this makes an end of Butler's power for
harm, or at least cripples it. He is a desperate
demagogue. . . .

I doubt if either of the friends you mentioned
came to Cambridge at all. My friend Agassiz had
the pleasure of meeting them at Newport, and was
greatly taken with them. . . .

I am beginning to print the Compositse for my
" Flora of North America ; " and am revising for the
last time some of the more difficult and more unsatis-
factory portions. My wife now excuses me to her
friends for outbreaks of ill-humor, the excuse being
that I am at present " in the valley of the shadow of
the Asters." This is " sic itur ad astra," with a ven-
geance. If only I can have done with the printer by
the close of the winter months, with any life left in
me, then we will go in for a holiday.

I am very well, and Mrs. Gray passably so. We
have seen just a little of Matthew Arnold, with wife
and daughter ; shall probably see more of them.

TO R. W. CHURCH.

November 12, 1883.

... I have just seen the first proof of the portion
of " Flora of North America " that I have been moil-
ing over for so long ; and over them and the ever-re-
newed touches to the ever-growing Composite, I may
expect a toilsome winter. That done, I hope about the
time that the clear and biting, but rather enjoyable,
winter subsides into the inclemencies of our early

748 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1883,

spring, we hope, if we live and thrive, to take a holi-
day. Just how and where is not yet clear, but I hope
to have something to say of it before I am done with
this letter. Meanwhile I am curious to know if you
have disposed of Bacon. If your essay pleases me as
much as your remarks in your letter to me, I shall
enjoy it. I recant all I wrote you long ago, begging
you would drop him and take up a more congenial
subject. . . .

I am just back this evening from hearing Matthew
Arnold read some of his poems to a great hallf ul of
undergraduates and others, in place of a lecture which
he was to give, but, poor man ! was prevented by his
agent, who seems to be rather his master. He was
well received ; but one cannot say that he is a very
graceful or a good reader to an audience of eight hun-
dred or a thousand people.

He tells me you offered him an introduction to
me, which he thought he hardly needed, as we had
met him and Mrs. Arnold at a lunch given by Miss
North. We are sorry to hear of the determining
reason of his visit and lecturing tour. . . . He will
succeed in this, no doubt; but it is a sort of dog's
life, this lecturing all over the country, four times a
week, at the beck of an agent, who controls all his
movements, often to audiences that will not appreciate
him, the more as what he tells me is true, that he has
no gift as a speaker. But he is pleasant, and will be
most kindly received.

Your Lord Chief Justice was most kindly cared for
and made a most pleasant impression. But in Bos-
ton, besides coming when every one was away who
should have attended to him, he fell, unwisely, into
the hands of ... Governor Butler, and saw a side of

JST. 73.] TO R. W. CHURCH. . 749

American life and manners which may be well
enough for him to see, though we should desire the
contrary, and will add to his rich repertory of stories,
which they say he can tell so well. The day he was
shown over our university he called here, and took a
cup of tea with us. He had recently been visiting
our good friend Lord Justice Fry at Failand, and
spoke of Lord Blachford as his friend and neigh-
bor. . . .

March 31, 1884.

... I have, moreover, another reason for sending
you this line, to thank you for the proof-sheets of the
" Bacon." I read it at a sitting, one day when I was
too ill for my daily task. I enjoyed the book greatly,
all the more, probably, from my freshness, not having
read anything upon the subject that I now recall
since Macaulay's essay, ages ago. It is like reading
a tragedy.

What a great failure Bacon was, whenever he was
tried ! Poor Essex, hunted to death merely for " get-
ting up a row," and Bacon sacrificing him without
compunction, and without seeing that he was prob-
ably made a tool of, merely to serve his personal ad-
vantage ! Then the poetical justice, as they call it, —
very prosaic justice, — of his own destruction, by a
bolt out of a clear sky, which an enemy was adroit
enough to direct to his ruin. And poor Bacon with
conscience enough to feel that he deserved it, but not
spirit enough to make a fight. No, if Pope's fling
was undeserved, as you say, it was because of the
mean and ignoble set around him.

Almost as pitiable and tragic in its way, pitiable in
its true sense, was the upshot of Bacon's higher and
nobler life, conceiving vaguely and laboring all his

750 FLNAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1884,

days over that which he was unable and incompetent
to bring to the birth. His memory reaping a great
reward of fame for a century or so, and then the con-
clusion reluctantly reached that nothing tangible in
the advancement of Natural Science can be attributed
to him. Altogether, what a solemn sermon ! It
might be preached from the pulpit of St. Paul's.

Well, I seem to have attempted sermonizing my-
self, and it is time I stopped.

We join in the thanksgivings you are devoutly
rendering,1 and I am always,

Yours affectionately, ASA GRAY.

As this is the last letter from Dr. Gray to Dean
Church, to be printed, the occasion is taken to in-
troduce a letter written by Dean Church to Mrs.
Gray some time after the death of his friend, when
acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the " Scientific
Papers."

DEAN CHURCH TO MBS. GRAY.

I have to thank you for two volumes of most inter-
esting reading. Besides the interest of the subject
discussed, there is a special cachet in all Dr. Gray's
papers, great and small, which is his own, and which
seems to me to distinguish him from even his more
famous contemporaries. There is the scientific spirit
in it, but firm, imaginative, fearless, cautious, with
large horizons, and very attentive and careful to
objections and qualifications; and there is besides,
what is so often wanting in scientific writing, the
human spirit, always remembering that, besides facts
and laws, however wonderful or minute, there are souls

1 The birth of the Dean's first grandchild.

JET. 73.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 751

and characters over against them, of as great account
as they, in whose mirrors they are reflected, whom
they excite and delight, and without whose interest
they would be blanks. This combination comes out
in his great generalizations, in the bold and yet con-
siderate way in which he deals with Darwin's ideas,
and in the notices of so many of his scientific friends,
whom we feel that he was interested in as men, and
not only as scientific inquirers. The sweetness and
charity, which we remember so well in living con-
verse, is always on the lookout for some pleasant
feature in the people of whom he writes, and to give
kindliness and equity to his judgment.

And what a life of labors it was ! I am perfectly
aghast at the amount of grinding work of which
these papers are the indirect evidence. . . .

For they [his religious views] were a most charac-
teristic part of the man, and the seriousness and
earnest conviction with which he let them be known
had, I am convinced, a most wholesome effect on the
development of the great scientific theory in which he
was so much interested. It took off a great deal of
the theological edge, which was its danger, both to
those who upheld and those who opposed it. I am
sure things would have gone more crossly and un-
reasonably, if his combination of fearless religion and1
clearness of mind, and wise love of truth, had not
told on the controversy.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, June 9, 1884.

Your last is of May 24th from the Camp, and gives
us on the whole better accounts of your invalids.
Bentham at Boultibrooke ! I wonder if he would care

752 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1884,

to have letters from me, or from Mrs. Gray, to whom
he wrote a treasure of a note on the New Year. We
had an idea it might only worry him. . . .

I wish we could see you at the Camp and among
the heather, and I wish I could form a clear concep-
tion of just how you are placed, taking the Kotherys'
house as a point of departure.

We give you up as to America this year. I would
not have you and Lady Hooker just run over here for
a call; it would be too provoking. Well, let us
plan for January or February next, and Mexico, Ari-
zona, and southern California.

" Man never is, but always to be blest."

The Joad herbarium was a real bonanza. . . .

I must tell of our two weeks' run, Mrs. Gray and I.
We left the too tardy spring here, one evening ; were
the next noon in Washington, where the spring was
in full force and beauty. After two days, left
Washington one morning, followed up the Potomac
River to its very rise in the Alleghanies, and down on
to Mississippi waters before dark ; woke near Cincin-
nati, had a pleasant day's journey to St. Louis, which
we reached before sunset. There had five days,
rather busy ones ; thence a journey of thirty-six hours,
over prairies of Illinois and Indiana to Buffalo, and
to New York city ; there two days, and then home. 1
Mrs. Gray, thus away from household cares and a
rough air, dropped her cough altogether ; and what
you would think a tiresome piece of journeying brought
us both home much refreshed. . . .

You remember Henry Shaw, his park and Mis-
souri botanic garden. The old fellow is now eighty-

1 Dr. Gray went to New York to finish his sittings to St. Gaudens
for the bronze bas-relief now in the herbarium at Cambridge.

MI. 73.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 753

four. Something induced him to ask my advice, and
to let me know the very ample fortune with which he
is to endow the garden, when he dies. I was in
doubt .whether all this was likely to be quite wasted,
or was in condition to be turned to good account for
botany and horticulture when Mr. Shaw leaves it and
his trust comes to be executed. I wished also to see
that dear old Engelmann's herbarium should be
properly and permanently preserved. So I went on
to St. Louis. Mr. Shaw took me into his counsel and,
without going here into details, without seeing a
chance for doing much while Mr. Shaw lives, which
cannot be very long, I see there is a grand oppor-
tunity coming, and I think that none of the pro-
visions he has made will hinder the right development
of the Mississippian Kew, which will hardly be " Kew
in a corner." And if he follows my advice and mends
some matters, there will be a grand foundation laid.

We are expecting Ball toward the end of the
month. He will have time to travel and botanize
before the Montreal meeting. But I can't go with
him, nor, perhaps, could I much help him. . . .

Dr. Gray's friend of many years, George Engel-
mann, M. D., died in February, 1884. He was a stu-
dent at Heidelberg with Schimper and Alexander
Braun in 1827, and again in Paris, in 1832, with
Agassiz and Braun. He came to America in 1834,
made some journeys on horseback in the West, and
settled as a physician in St. Louis, then a frontier
trading-post, in 1835. He lived to see it become a
metropolis of over four hundred thousand inhabi-
tants. Dr. Gray says in his memoirs of him, " In
the consideration of Dr. Engelmann's botanical work

754 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1884,

it should be remembered that his life was that of
an eminent and trusted physician; . . . that he de-
voted only the residual hours, which most men use for
rest or recreation, to scientific pursuits. . . . Nothing
escaped his attention ; he drew with facility ; and he
methodically secured his observations by notes and
sketches. The lasting impression which he has made
upon North American botany is due to his habit of
studying his subjects in their systematic relations, and
devoting himself to a particular genus of plants until
he had elucidated it as completely as lay within his
power. In this way all his work was made to tell
effectively. ... It shows how much may be done for
science in a busy physician's horae subsecivae, and in
his occasional vacations. Personally he was one of
the most affable and kindly of men, and was as much
beloved as respected by those who knew him."

TO SIR EDWARD FRY.

October 10, 1884.

It is quite time that I responded to your kind and
welcome letters. First, let me congratulate myself
upon having you as a colleague in the Royal Society,
in which I think you need not owe your fellowship to
official dignity. I believe you took honors in science
at the university, along with our friend Professor
Flower.

You. mentioned your approaching visit, with Lady
Fry, to Lord Coleridge. . . . Lord C., referring to
your visit, sent us very cordial messages in a letter
to my colleague Professor Thayer. He will know that
his host in Boston, General Butler, is one of the can-
didates for the Presidency.

I am, as you may suppose, a bolter from the

,ET. 73.] TO SIR EDWARD FRY. 755

Republican presidential nomination. We even hope
to give the electoral vote of Massachusetts, stanchest
of Republican States, to the Democratic candidate.
But I need not bore you with American politics.

Let me say how sorry we were not to see Miss Fox
at our home. It might have been, except for a little
journey we made from Philadelphia, of which I must
tell you more.

I had a mere glimpse of Miss Fox at Montreal,
and a little more of her cousin. She came late to
Philadelphia, where Mrs. Gray (who was not at Mon-
treal) and I had a most pleasant chat with her at a
garden reception. The next day I went out to the
suburban place where she was visiting, and came near
to winning her for our expedition, at least as far as to
Luray cave, and the Natural Bridge in the Valley of
Virginia. But the engagements she had made could
not be reconciled. Her hostess was to take her to
this neighborhood, but too early for us to receive her
here. All good people in this country think so much
of Caroline Fox that they wished to know her sister.

I have not seen the book by Mr. Arthur on differ-
ence between physical and moral laws, and am not
sure that I ever heard of it or of the author. Who is
the publisher ? I might find it at the university library.
No, I never had the fortune to see, much less to know
Maurice. Of course I have always known a good deal
about him and of the remarkable influence he ex-
erted, both in person and in his writings, " in which
were some things hard to understand," such as his
liking for the Athanasian creed, but nothing that was
not most excellent in spirit.

Of course I well remember Miss Wedgewood ; and
we had occasional correspondence up to the time when

756 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1884,

Darwin died, and she, on the part of the family, an-
nounced it to me. I am glad to know that she wrote
the sketch of Maurice in the " British Quarterly."

And now about ourselves. I got the Composite
off my mind late in the spring, but not off my hands
until sometime in August. At the end of August and
of the pleasant part of the summer here (for it was
delightful in Cambridge, so cool and quiet, and Mrs.
Gray away only for three weeks with her friends on
the coast) I went to the meeting of the British Asso-
ciation at Montreal ; enjoyed it much ; read a paper,1 a
sort of address, to the botanists coming over to North
America, which the Section seemed to like and voted
to print in extenso. (I will first print it here, and
send you a copy. Not that there is much novelty in
it, but it may be readable.) I had to leave the meet-
ing after three or four days, and return here ; sorry to
leave our friend Mr. Walter Browne ill at the hospi-
tal with typhoid fever. He and his poor wife received
every kind attention, but he died in a few days.

It is agreed that the British meeting was a dis-
tinguished success. It brought over a throng of
English people, and the American savants (I cannot
abide the word " scientists ") were in good force. We
were repaid by the large attendance of British Associ-
ation members at Philadelphia, where they contrib-
uted to make our meeting large and notable.

Up to this time the weather was all that could be
wished, cooler, I suppose, than in England at the time.
But that week at Philadelphia was raging. Mrs.
Gray and I were there for the whole week, domiciled

1 " Characteristics of the North American Flora," American Journal
of Science, ser. 3, vol. xxviii. p. 323 ; also in Scientific Papers of
A. Gray, selected by C. S. Sargent.

^T. 73.] TO SIR EDWARD FRY. 757

with friends in the heart of the city, — a city which
never cools at night, as it does hereabouts. I bore the
heat well, as my manner is ; Mrs. Gray, fairly, by
keeping quiet through the mornings and giving her-
self rather to the evening receptions, which were fine
and most admirably managed. It grew cooler the
Tnoment the week was over and the session ended.
Besides, we moved at once into a cooler region. It
was arranged that I should lead any British botanists
that cared to go on an excursion into the mountains of
Virginia and Carolina. But they were otherways
bound, so that I could take only my friend Mr. John
Ball of London, your fellow F. R. S., taking also
another American botanist, with whom we had visited
these regions more than once before, and, to make it
pleasanter, we added three ladies, wives and daugh-
ters of botanists, Mrs. Gray being one.

Our first day's journey was to Luray, in the Valley
of Virginia, between the Blue Ridge and the proper
Alleghanies. The next day we visited the Cavern,
which I think is the finest in the world, not forgetting
that of Adelsberg in Styria. It is newly discovered,
with wonderful wealth and beauty of stalactical for-
mations, and is lighted up for visitors with electrical
lights in all the larger chambers. That day we went
on to the Natural Bridge, which we had not seen for
many years. It was grander than I had remembered ;
indeed, it and the scenery around is worth a voyage
and a journey to see. Then we went on to our favor-
ite Roan Mountain, on the borders of North Caro-
lina and Tennessee, one of the highest in the Atlantic
United States, and the finest ; the base and sides
richly wooded with large deciduous forest trees in un-
usual variety even for this country, the ample grassy

758 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1884,

top (of several square miles) fringed with dark firs
and spruces, and the open part adorned with thou-
sands of clumps of Rhododendron Catawbiense, which
when there last before, late in June, we saw all loaded
with blossoms, while the sides were glorious with three
species of Azalea, not to speak of many other botan-
ical treasures. There, at top and at base, we passed
four busy days. A narrow-gauge railway recently
built, and new to us, reaches to the base of the moun-
tain, up the Doe River, through most picturesque
scenery, showing to most advantage in the descent.
On our way back we diverged to visit some striking
rock scenery on the upper Kanawha River, and thence
to a mountain-top lower than Roan, but with the
advantage of a charming little lake, with banks all
fringed with Rhododendron maximum and Kalmia,
hanging over the water for a rod or two, except on
the side where the little hotel stands. Well, I have
written a deal here, little as I have managed to tell
you. I think you and Lady Fry should come over and
see for yourselves, just a pleasant summer vacation, if
you can leave Failand for so long.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

September 26, 1884.

So dear Bentham has gone, — not quite filled out
his eighty-fourth year. Well, we could have wished
this year of infirmity and suffering had been avoided.
One would like to say good-evening promptly at the
close of the working-day. But this we cannot order,
so we must accept what comes. We shall miss him
greatly. We have nobody left to look up to. He
seems to have made a wise and good disposition of his
effects.

JET. 73.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 759

Your two letters reached us at Philadelphia, on our
return from North Carolina and Virginia. . . .

Yesterday we had Sir William and Lady Thomson.1
To-day Traill and wife (young and bright) of Aber-
deen looked in and lunched.

I come home to a heap of letters and parcels and
affairs, to keep me busy awhile. . . .

Well, the meeting at Montreal was a success, and
made a pleasant occasion. The influx of visitors
from British Association to Philadelphia made that
meeting very good too. George Darwin I just saw
for a moment at Montreal, and Mrs. Darwin also at
Philadelphia, one evening, — handsome and winning.

I hope you have got the copy of " Synoptical Flora
II." for your own shelf, through Wesley. Slips and
omissions are already revealing, especially in the
index.

I am wonderfully strong and well. Mrs. G. well
up to average, both much set up by holiday, of which
mine has now lasted a month. . . .

What a deal you have fished out of Bentham's
earlier life! I thought you meant Toulouse, not
Tours. Bentham used to speak of Toulouse and that
part of France. . . .

Among the inventive feats of his father was one I
have somewhere heard or read of, that he made a fleet
of articulated transport boats for descending the
crooked channels of the Russian rivers.

I think you might have specified De Morgan's dis-
covery of Bentham's contribution to logic, and his
able defense of the reclamation, to which Herbert
Spencer's " Verdict " in 1873 was not particularly

1 Sir William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, — the distinguished physi-
cist.

760 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

needed for the establishment of the fact. De Morgan
was not a man to leave his work half done, especially
as against Hamilton.

I only regret that the length to which these most
interesting matters extended stood in the way of your
giving a more detailed account of Bentham's botani-
cal work, on which another article would be timely.

I must now, before long, attempt something of this,
for the American Academy's eloge. And I pray you,
if you are not doing it yourself, to send me hints and
suggestions. Sheet full, and I will not begin another
to-day, but add only my wife's love to you and Lady
Hooker.

January 9, 1885.

The souvenir of dear Bentham has come to hand,
is in its place on my table, and the first use I make
of it, now in position, is to write to you this letter of
thanks, — to you for awarding it to me, and to dear
Lady Hooker for so promptly forwarding it. The
stand is a beautiful piece of marble, bearing its two
inkstands.1 Was there ever anything to occupy the
sunken area between them ? . . .

Of myself I have not much to write. The pros-
pect of getting off for the latter part of winter has
just prevented my settling down to the " Flora," and
I have found plenty else to keep me actively em-
ployed, mainly with a revision of some boragina-
ceous genera, now in printer's hands, which I hope,
while it unsettles old work, will settle it better and
permanently, as far as anything we do can be said to
be lasting.

1 The inkstand is now placed in the library of the herbarium with
Sir William J. Hooker's hand-glass, so much used by Dr. Gray.

^T. 74.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 761

I am well, — can hardly be said to need the holiday
we have determined on. . . . We shall benefit much,
I think probable, by getting off to meet the spring,
avoiding February -April here, which are the only
drawbacks to a climate of the best : for you know I
do not at all dislike summer heat.

We have not troubled ourselves much as to where
we would go. But now it does seem that we will go
to the southern part of California, if possible by the
southern Arizona route, which is near the Mexican
boundary, and must be best for winter, and to return
by the route through the northern part of Arizona,
which should be pleasant in the latter part of April.
Oh, that you and Lady Hooker could be with us. ...
And we shall be lonely without you on our travels,
and feel that " that great principle of the survival of
the fittest " has been woefully violated. . . .

CITY OF MEXICO, Sunday, February 22, 1885.

Your letter of January 20, forwarded from Cam-
bridge, overtook us at San Antonio, Bexar. We
left home February 3, in bitter cold, for St. Louis,
where I had an interview with old Shaw, and heard
him read his rearranged will, which is satisfactory,
as it will allow his trustees, and the corporation of
Washington University there, to turn his bequests to
good account for botany ; will be an endowment quite
large enough for the purpose.

Thence, rail — two nights and a day — to Mobile,
where it was warm and springlike, but no flowers out,
barring an early violet. Thence to New Orleans, which
has a great exposition and a crowd, and where, in a
sudden change to cold, I caught a dreadful cold. It
began with such a hoarseness that, going, Mrs. Gr. and

762 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

I, to dine with Dr. Richardson (son-in-law of Short),
where we met your and Dyer's friends, Mr. and Mrs.
Morris 1 of Jamaica, I was taken speechless. I was
only for a few hours at the Exposition (I hate such),
but Mrs. Gray went a second time to see Mexican
things. Dr. Farlow, joining us at New Orleans,
brought, to our surprise, passes for us to go by the
Mexican Central Road to the city of Mexico and back
to El Paso (the junction with the road to California),
and we decided to undertake it. One day and a night
took us to San Antonio, Texas, where we stayed Sat-
urday, Sunday, and Monday, till evening, trying to
recover from our colds, driving over the country
through chaparral of mesquite bushes (Prosopis)
and opuntias. When we awoke next morning we
were coursing along the rocky banks of the Rio
Grande del Norte, mounting into a high region more
arid still, if possible, the only flowers out a Vesicaria ;
and descending into a great cattle ranch region we
reached El Paso at 3.30 A. M. ; got to bed again ; had
the day there and on the other side of the river, at
El Paso del Norte, in the Mexican State of Chihua-
hua, whence at evening we took our Pullman for
three nights and two days' journey to this place,
through Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Aguas-Caliente, Leon,
etc., reaching here yesterday morning at 8.30. We
are comfortably placed in the Hotel Iturbide. Farlow
and I have looked about somewhat, though I am still
suffering from catarrh and cough; Mrs. Gray laid
up with hers. This afternoon a Mexican gentleman
to whom we took letters called and drove Farlow and
me out to Chapultepec, whence a most magnificent
view of the whole Valley of Mexico and the surround-

1 Daniel Morris, assistant director of the Royal Gardens, Kew.

JET. 74.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 763

ing mountains, including Popocatapetl and its more
broadly snowy companion, — with its more difficult
name, meaning White Lady, — at this season always
with cloudless tops. The cypresses of Chapultepec
are glorious trees, plenty of them, full of character,
and of a port which should help to distinguish the
Mexican species from the North American. I wish
you could see them. And such old trees of Schinus
molle, the handsomest of trees either old or young,
the old trunks wonderfully bossed. Is it a native of
Mexico ? I thought only of Chili. But it is well at
home here.

Such yucca trees as we have seen on the way here,
with trunks at base two or three feet in diameter,
weirdly branched, looking like doum palms. Opun-
tias of two or three arborescent species, some huge,
and other cacti not a few.

I have still to compare Arizona with the plateau of
northern Mexico. But I see they are all pretty
much one thing. . . .

ORIZABA, February 27, 1885.

Since my former sheet, Farlow and I have been
mousing about the city of Mexico, I coughing most of
the time, in a clear, dry air and nearly cloudless sky,
weather which should be most delightful, but some-
how it is bad for the throat (for the natives as well
as for us), and the rarefied air puts one out of breath
at a little exertion ; mornings and evenings cool
and fresh, the midday warm, in the sun trying. . . .
Called in a physician, a sort of medical man to
American embassy, who came here with Maximilian,
and stayed. Very intelligent. Ordered us to come
here as soon as Mrs. Gray could travel. Here only

764 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

4,028 feet and a warmer damp air. "Well, we tried
it yesterday ; had to leave city of Mexico at 6.15 A. M.,
our hotel at 5.30 cold, no breakfast ; had to travel till
ten or nearly before we could get even a decent cup of
coffee, at junction of road to Vera Cruz and Puebla,
and after rising to 8,333 feet in getting out of the
Valley of Mexico ; but at 1 P. M., at Esperanza, in the
Tierra Frias, had a capital dinner, and met train
from Vera Cruz. Here pine-trees on the hills all
round us, two species. Soon begins the descent and
a complete change of air, the other side all dry and
horrid dust, making our catarrh worse than ever ;
now the moisture from the Gulf of Mexico makes all
green ; the road by skillful engineering pitches down
4,000 feet to this, the greater part of the descent all in
eight or nine miles of straight line as the bird flies.
In all the Valley of Mexico and to the north of it
really nothing in blossom yet, all so dry, except Sene-
cio salignus, if I rightly remember the name, a shrub
of 1-4 feet, just becoming golden with blossoms.
But the moment we began the descent all was flow-
ery, two species of Baccharis, Eupatoria, Erigeron
mucranatum (so much cultivated under the false
name of Vittadenia triloba), Loeselia3 species, Arbutus,
(Xalapensis) in bud, and many things of which we
shall know more when we return over the route. . . .
Very comfortable hotel here, Botteri l left an eleve
here who knows something of botany, but lives out of
reach on a hacienda. We found a garden combined
with a small coffee plantation. The proprietor thereof,
speaking a little French, has filled his ground with a

1 Matteo Botteri, died in 1885. Sent to Mexico by London Horticul-
tural Society. Made fine collections, especially about Orizaba, where
he settled.

JLT. 74.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 765

lot of things that will stand here. It is just in me-
dias res, two hours below Tierra Frias, two above (or
at Cordoba, only seventeen miles, but 2,000 feet
lower) true tropical. Papaya fruits here, also Persea
gratissima, etc. And the oranges are delicious. I
have passed the whole morning with the garden man,
while Farlow went up a small steep mountain, and
brought back various things. We shall drive this
afternoon to the Cascade of Rincon Grande (cas-
cades are most rare in Mexico).

The air here suits us ; shall try to leave our coughs
here and at Cordoba below.

On the way here had views of Popocatapetl and the
more beautiful and diversified Iztaccihuatl from the
sides, and wound round the base of Mt. Orizaba. A
true Mexican town this. Mrs. Gray enjoying sights
from the window ; will be able to drive out this after-
noon, though the clouds are sinking too much and
mist gathering, a great contrast to the city of Mexico.

P. M. — We went, but saw the falls (very pictur-
esque) in a wet mist, and for botany got a lot of sub-
tropical Mexican plants, the like of which I never
saw growing before : among Compositae, Lagascea
(large heads), Tree Vernonias of the Scorpioides
set, Calea, Andromachia, etc., etc.

CORDOBA, March 2, 1885.

... To continue. On Saturday, a fine and sunny
morning, Farlow and I drove off for the Cascade of
Barrio Nuevo, almost as beautiful as the other, and
had a long morning in clambering and collecting. In
the grounds on the way are planted trees of a Bom-
bacea, in flower before the leaf, probably Pachira. The
peak of Orizaba shows as a narrow streak of white

766 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

over' a near mountain, from the windows of our
room ; but by going half a mile east the whole comes
out splendidly.

Sunday morning we were comparatively quiet, but
at 3.50 P. M. we were off for Cordoba, less than
an hour distant by rail, and 2,000 feet lower. A
queer little town, with only a poor, truly Mexican inn,
a set of rooms in the single story, all round a patio,
into which the country diligence drives, and on rear
side the stables back against the rooms, as Farlow
found to his discomfort, only a thin wall between his
room and the horse's mangers. Tile floors, cot-beds,
but clean, and the food certainly better than was to be
expected.

Fine view of Orizaba. An American, Dr. Russell,
here, whom I looked up. And he took us to an
American German, Mr. Fink, who collects Orchids,
etc., commercially. He took us to a garden, and we
were going to the river bank and ravine, but, though
out of season, rain set in, and we came home rather
wet.

I fear our afternoon excursion may be lost, but it
now looks like clearing. The way from Orizaba here
is magnificent, for mountains, railroad - engineering,
and culture vegetation. I hope we can get into some
wild tropical vegetation, but uncertain ; can stay here
only to-morrow at most. We are cut off from news of
all the world ; little could we get in Mexico city, less
since. . . .

You would be amused, as I have known you to be
in Italy, at my knack of explaining myself by gesture,
and so getting on. ...

JET. 74.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 767

LATHBOP, CALIFORNIA, May 1, 1885.

We have only this morning left Rancho Chico and
have set our faces eastward. Waiting for our train I
improve the rare bit of leisure to write a line.

First of all, we are both well. No cough, however
obstinate, could abide this charming climate. And
having no excuse for further stay we enter upon the
" beginning of the end " of a holiday which now only
lacks ten days of three months. What a pity to turn
our backs on all the fruits we see growing around us,
having enjoyed only the cherries, which are just coming
in. Well, we have a basket of them, as big as plums,
and so good ! to solace the first days of the desert part
of our journey. We shall have desert enough on the
way home, as we cross Arizona and New Mexico by
the Atlantic and Pacific railway, through the north-
ern part of those Territories (having come out by the
southern), a country quite new to us. How often we
have wished for you and Lady Hooker !

When and whence did I write you last ? I think
from Los Angeles and before our trip to San Diego.

Instead of a short journey by sea (which my wife
detests) we made a long circumbendibus by rail to the
southernmost town in California ; declined an invitation
to go over the border into Mexican California ; was, in
fact, too unwell to do anything in the field, and so,
finding the coast too cool and damp, returned, stop-
ping two nights with Parish and wife, at their little
ranch at San Bernardino, in a dry and warm region,
a charming valley girt with high mountains, on the
eastern side still snow-topped, — indeed they are so
most of the summer. Back thence to Los Angeles
we soon went, down to the port San Pedro, and took
steamer for Santa Barbara, the very paradise of Cali-

768 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

fornia in the eyes of its inhabitants, and indeed of
most others. Our cruise of only eight hours on the
Pacific was pleasant, and most of it in daylight.

Arriving after dark, we found, to our surprise, the
mayor of the little town on the wharf with a carriage
for our party (wife, Farlow, and self), who drove us
to the fine watering-place kind of hotel, and on being
shown at once to our rooms we found them all alight
and embowered in roses, in variety and superbness
such as you never saw the beat of, not to speak of
Bougainvilleas, Tacsonias, and passion-flowers, Cape-
bulbs in variety, etc., etc., and a full assortment of the
wild flowers of the season. Mrs. Gray was fairly taken
off her feet. During the ten or eleven days we stayed,
there were few in which we were not taken on drives,
the most pleasant and various. The views, even from
our windows, of sea and mountain and green hills (for
California is now verdant, except where Eschscholtzia
and Bahias and Layia, etc., and Lupines turn it
golden or blue) were just enchanting ; and on leaving
we were by good management allowed to pay our
hotel bill. . . . Had you been of the party I believe
the good people would have come out with oxen and
garlands, and would hardly have been restrained.

Here we were driven- out fifteen miles to one of the
great ranches, — a visit of two nights and a day, —
that of Mr. Cooper, a very refined family ; the whole
ranch flanked on the windward sides by eucalyptus
groves, apricots, almond, peach-trees, etc., by the dozens
of acres ; but the produce on which the enthusiastic
owner has set his heart is that of the olive, and he
makes the best of olive oil, and in a large way. Hoi-
lister's ranch is still larger, miles long every way ;
both reach from mountain-top to sea, and have fine

JET. 74.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 769

drives up canons, in these fine oaks and plane-trees,
occasionally an Acer macrophyllum and an Alder.
Avoiding the sea, which gives a short route, we
reached San Francisco by a lovely drive, in a hired
wagon, over a pass in the Santa Inez Mountains to the
coast (south) at Ventura, and so up the broad and
long Santa Clara Valley to Newhall, on the Southern
Pacific railway, not very far above Los Angeles (two
days' drive, most pleasant), then by rail overnight and
to this place to breakfast, and on to San Francisco.

We stopped this time at the Lick House, where we
had, European-wise, a room, not quite so good as we
had at the Palace Hotel eight years ago, and fed at
the restaurant, very nice and reasonable, when we were
not visiting or invited out, which was most of the
tune. So it was not expensive, our room (parlor, bed-
room shutting off, and a bathroom) costing only about
12 shillings for us both. Harkness looks the same,
but older ; is absorbed in f ungology. Here again we
were made much of for twelve days, most busy ones.
General McDowell, who you remember dined us at
the "Palace," is ill; we saw him twice, and he has
since so failed that we daily expect to hear of the end.

May 4. In Farlie's Chalet hotel in the Grand
Canon of the Colorado.

Dr. Brigham, you remember, who took us to the
Chinese theatre, is now married, and has three children
by a bright wife, with a rich father, and a handsome
house, above Presidio, — a fine site, and filled with fine
things from all countries, and such a rose-garden ; gave
us a handsome dinner. Alvord and wife (president
now of Bank of California), noble people, did wonders
for us, and a dinner and drives. A lunch over at the
university ; and another by General (commanding the

770 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

Western Department in place of McDowell, and in the
choice house the latter built) and Mrs. Pope (she an
old acquaintance) ; then we went over to San Rafael,
a night with the Barbers, and next day a drive up
behind Mount Tamalpais to the canon reservoir of
water-works, and saw, at length (having failed on all
former visits), that huge Madrona (Arbutus Men-
ziesii), like one of those great and wide-spreading oaks
you used to admire. Next day to Monterey, which we
saw nothing of on that hurried visit eight years ago,
when our single day was sacrificed to Hayden's insane
desire to see a coal mine on a bare hill ! Now there
are eighteen miles of good drive around all Point
Pinos and through it, and Cupressus macrocarpa on
the seaside verge, noble and picturesque old trees,
and no lack of young ones, a little back, and grand
sea and shore views.

On the other side of the town, in a grove of great
live oaks and Pinus insignis mixed, made into a beau-
tiful park and park gardens, with a separate railway
station in the grounds, is the crack hotel of the West-
ern coast, the work of the Pacific Railway Company,
which has also bought and appended the whole of the
pine grove, five or six miles long and two or three
wide, thus preserving Pinus insignis and the cypress,
the latter much needing it.

Mr. and Mrs. Alvord, knowing our visit was to be,
had telegraphed for best rooms, and joined us unex-
pectedly ; took us on the long drive the next day,
with four fine horses. . . . They showed us no end of
kind attention.

At length we got off for a visit to Chico (leaving
Farlow to algologize at Santa Cruz, etc.), a quicker
way than before, a steam-ferry across Suisin Bay help-

JET., 74.] TO J. D. HOOKER. Ill

ing. And there we had a nice time indeed, from Sat-
urday evening to Friday morning, every day, drives
and picnics, and botanizing, and feeding on (besides
strawberries) such cherries, just coming in in acres of
cherry-orchards, the only fruits yet in season. That
big fig-tree, in the branches of which I used to hide
and feast, or rather cram, is bigger than ever, but the
figs green, to my sorrow. And we cannot wait for
them. General Bidwell 1 and wife have aged little in
the eight years, are as good as ever, full of all noble
and good works, as well as of generous hospitality;
have taken wonderfully to botany ; remember you
most affectionately and long for a real visit. His
great ambition is to make drives, good roads, through
the ranch, for pleasure as well as use ; he has now
over a hundred miles of them. That big oak 2 is finer
than ever ; not a dead branch.

Well, off at length ; at Lathrop joined our eastward
train at evening ; up the San Joaquin valley all night,
and had early morning for the wonderful Tahachapi
Pass. Breakfast at Mohave. (I must send you a
railroad map.) There took the Atlantic & Pacific
Railroad, over the sandy desert to the Great Colorado
at supper, to Peach Spring station at two A. M., and
next morning in an easy " buckboard wagon " twenty-
two miles and 4,000 feet descent into this wonderful
canon, a piece of it, which its explorer, Major Powell,
has made famous.

This afternoon and evening we are to get up and
back, and on in the night and morning to Flagstaff,
and the ancient cliff dwellings.

1 General John Bidwell was the Prohibition candidate for the
Presidency in 1892.

2 Named the Sir Joseph Hooker Oak.

772 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

IN THE CABS, KANSAS CITY, May 8, 1885.

Let me finish up these mems. We have now only
a run of eleven hours to St. Louis, where we stay three
or four days with Dr. Engelmann (Jr.), and then home.

The canon trip well repaid the journey and its
rough accessories. Some of the views are of those de-
picted by Powell. We find that Tylor and Moseley
were here last year. As the man whom we had in-
troductions to at Flagstaff was absent for a day or
two, though we found he had left substitutes, and as
we wanted to get home as soon as we could, we gave
up the visit to the cave and cliff dwellings. I dare say
the models in clay, made at Washington, are as good
as the originals. So we came on, one and a half nights
and two days, and to-night we shall sleep in beds at
St. Louis. We bear this sort of travel quite well.
From Mohave to the Colorado is very sandy and com-
plete desert, descending eastward many hundred feet.
Near Mohave lots of tree yuccas, looking very like
those in northern part of Mexico. From the Colorado
to Peach Spring we passed in the dark, but had risen
to about 6,000 feet, and we kept on an elevation of
4,000 to nearly 8,000 feet all across the rest of Ari-
zona and New Mexico, the higher parts wooded with
conifers, that is, Pinus ponderosa of the Rocky Moun-
tains form and Juniperus. At Las Vegas, New Mex-
ico, we laid over one train, to rest and visit the Hot
Springs ; no great to see, except a spick and span new
hotel, too fine for the place, and some very hot water.

Well, this trip, which will nearly round out to three
and a half months, has been long and enjoyable in-
deed.

At St. Louis will be letters, perhaps one from you.
Ever yours, A. GKAY.

JET. 74.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 773

Part of yesterday and last night was down along
the Arkansas, the reverse of our journey eight years
ago. Country much settled up.

CAMBRIDGE, August 26, 1885.

. . . Charles Wright is dead, at seventy-three and
a half ; had been suffering of heart-disease, went out
to his barn, was missed as the evening drew on, was
found dead. So they go, one by one. . . .

The summer is almost gone, — one hardly knows
how, — but, then, we have a longer and finer autumn
than you have in England.

The five hundred copies which I printed in 1878
are gone. And, as I have to print new copies, I take
the opportunity to correct on the stereotype plates
when I can, — a great lot of wrong references to vol-
ume, page, plates, — that is, such as we have found
out. What a bother they are, and how impossible to
make correct in the first place, and to keep so through
the printer's hands ! Then there are lots of important
corrections to make, and new species and genera
galore.

So, — in an evil moment, you will say — I set about
a supplement to this new issue, — also of the other
part. For, as I have now brought out in the two parts
all the Gamopetalse, and as I begin to doubt if I shall
hold out to accomplish much more, I thought it best
to leave behind at least these in good state. But it is
no small job. And this, with the great amount of
herbarium work that goes along with it, or beside
it, just uses up the summer ; for I dare guess it will
keep me occupied all September. . . .

The last news of you is a letter from your dear
wife to mine, — giving such a pleasant picture of the

774 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

two boys, and of your enjoyment of them. You say
you are quite well, and Lady Hooker much the same,
— which is comforting. But you are naturally grow-
ing older, like myself. I tire sooner than I used to
do, and have not so sure a touch nor so good a
memory. The daily grind we both find more wear-
ing. . . .

We should like to come over to you once more, —
but it seems less and less practicable ; unless I be-
come actually unfit for work, and then I shall not be
worth seeing. . . .

Your affectionate old friend, A. GRAY.
Old, indeed; the president of the Naturae Curio-
sorum wrote me on August 3 that I have been one of
the curious for fifty years.

Dr. Gray wrote a notice of Charles Wright for the
"American Journal of Science," in which he says
that " Charles Wright was born at Wethersfield, Con-
necticut ; graduated at Yale in 1835. Had an early love
for botany, which may have taken him to the South as
a teacher in Mississippi, whence he went to Texas,
joining the early immigration, and occupied himself
botanizing and surveying, and then again in teaching.
He accompanied various expeditions, and no name is
more largely commemorated in the botany of Texas,
New Mexico, and Arizona than Charles Wright. It
is an acanthaceous genus of this district, of his own
discovery, that bears the name of Carlowrightia.
Surely no botanist ever better earned such scientific
remembrance by entire devotion, acute observation,
severe exertion, and perseverance under hardship and
privation." He was engaged later for several years
" in his prolific exploration of Cuba."

MT. 74.] TO JOHN H. REDFIELD. 775

" Mr. Wright was a person of low stature and well-
knit frame, hardy rather than strong, scrupulously
temperate, a man of simple ways, always modest and
unpretending, but direct and downright in expression,
most amiable, trusty, and religious. He accomplished
a great amount of useful and excellent work for
botany in the pure and simple love of it ; and his
memory is held in honorable and grateful remem-
brance by his surviving associates." l

TO JOHN H. REDFIELD.

CAMBRIDGE, November 3, 1885.

MY DEAR REDFIELD, — I was interested in your
Corema Con.

I have a remark to make on the last sentence of it ;
I would ask, How could the plant have an introduction
following the glacial period? And where could it
have come from ?

Of course my idea is that it existed at the higher
north before the glacial period — that is my fad.

But one sees that this is one of a few plants that
may be appealed to in behalf of an Atlantis theory, —
as coming across the Atlantic, making this Corema a
derivation from C. alba, of Portugal, or of its ancestor.
But the Atlantic is thought to be too deep for an At-
lantis ; and we do not need it much.

What induces me to refer to your paragraph is to
ask whether your " following the glacial period,"
that is, recent introduction, means in your thought
that our species is a direct descendant of Corema
alba, which by some chance got wafted across the
Atlantic. •

1 American Journal of Science, 3 ser. xxxi, 12. — 1886. Reprinted
in Scientific Papers, selected by C. S. Sargent, vol. ii. p. 468.

776 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

That is the most probable notion, next to my
theory.

For consider, we know the genus only on these two
opposite shores.

Perhaps — so far as I know, there is no more C.
alba in the Old World than C. Conradii in the New.
And if it were in New England that the former
occurs, we could say that the Old World received the
genus from the New — via the Gulf Stream.

November 6.

... I start farther back than the retreat of the
glaciers. I suppose that the common ancestor of
both Coremas was in the high north before the gla-
cial period, and that the two, in their limited but
dissociated habitats, are what is left after such vicis-
situdes !

In that view it does not matter how long New Eng-
land coast was under water. Our plant and its com-
panions were then further south or west.

Yours ever, A. GKAY.

On the approach of Dr. Gray's seventy-fifth birth-
day it was suggested among the younger botanists that
some tribute of love and respect should be presented
to him. Accordingly a letter was sent to all botanists
whose addresses could be obtained within the very
limited time. A silver vase was decided upon, and
designs furnished, which were most happily and beau-
tifully carried out. The description, copied from the
" Botanical Gazette," gives its size and decorations.

"It is about eleven inches high exclusive of the
ebony pedestal, which is surrounded by a hoop of
hammered silver, bearing the inscription ' 1810, No-

JET. 75.] TO J. C. ARTHUR AND OTHERS. Ill

vember eighteenth, 1885 — Asa Gray — in token of
the universal esteem of American Botanists.'

" The decoration of one side is Graya polygaloides,
surrounded by Aquilegia Canadensis, Centaurea Ame-
ricana, Jeffersonia diphylla, Rudbeckia speciosa, and
Mitchella repens. On the other Shortia galacifolia,
Lilium Grayi, Aster Bigelovii, Solidago serotina, and
Epigsea repens. The lower part of the handles runs
into a cluster of Dionsea leaves, which clasps the body
of the vase, and their upper parts are covered with
Notholaena Grayi. Adlumia cirrhosa trails over the
whole background. The entire surface is oxidized,
which gives greater relief to the decorations."

Greetings in the form of cards and letters, sent by
those who gave the vase, were placed on a silver salver
accompanying the gift, with the inscription, " Bearing
the greetings of one hundred and eighty botanists of
North America to Asa Gray on his seventy-fifth birth-
day, November 18th, 1885."

Dr. Gray was exceedingly touched and delighted,
as well as overwhelmed with surprise. And the day,
with pleasant calls and congratulations from friends
and neighbors, gifts of flowers with warm and kindly
notes, was made a memorable one indeed.

His response to the senders of the vase was printed
and sent to all who could be reached.

HERBARIUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY,
CAMBRIDGE, MASS., November 19, 1885.

To J. C. Arthur, C. R. Barnes, J. M. Coulter, Committee, and to the
numerous Botanical Brotherhood represented by them :

As I am quite unable to convey to you in words
any adequate idea of the gratification I received on
the morning of the 18th inst., from the wealth of con-

778 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1885,

gratulations and expressions of esteem and affection,
which welcomed my seventy-fifth birthday, I can do
no more than render to each and all my heartiest
thanks. Among fellow-botanists, more pleasantly
connected than in any other pursuit by mutual giving
and receiving, some recognition of a rather uncommon
anniversary might naturally be expected. But this
full flow of benediction, from the whole length and
breadth of the land whose flora is a common study
and a common delight, was as unexpected as it is
touching and memorable. Equally so is the exquisite
vase which accompanied the messages of congratula-
tion and is to commemorate them, and upon which
not a few of the flowers associated with my name or
with my special studies are so deftly wrought by art,
that of them one may almost say, " The art itself is
nature."

The gift is gratefully received, and it will preserve
the memory to those who come after us of a day made
by you, dear brethren and sisters, a very happy one to
Yours affectionately, ASA GRAY.

TO s. M. j.

November 19, 1885.

We meant our day to have been most quiet, and I
completely and J. largely were taken by surprise. So
we had to send for two or three neighbors, especially
to see the vase.

J. will bring it in to you, no doubt, for she is very
proud of it. The lines I have already written have
taken all the strength out of my right arm, but not all
the love out of my heart, of which a good share is
yours.

JET. 75.] TO SIR EDWARD FRY. 779

TO W. M. CANBY.

CAMBRIDGE, November 19, 1885.

MY DEAR CANBY, — Many thanks for your felici-
tations. There is much I want to write, and to say
what a surprise we had, and how perfect the vase is.
But my arm is worn out with note-writing.

Yours affectionately, ASA GRAY.

Two poems and a poetical epigram came among
the rest !

TO SIB EDWARD FRY.

CAMBRIDGE, January 31, 1886.

MY DEAR FRIEND, — I am a laggard correspond-
ent, I fear. Here are your two most friendly and in-
teresting letters, as far back as November, one of which
crossed, and one which announced, the reception of
my long letter which gave a sketch of our journeyings
which began almost a year ago. For we are now al-
ready in the middle of another winter. I doubt if we
shall flee from this one, although it has shown some
severity. In the first place, we may thankfully say
that neither Mrs. Gray nor I can say that we require
it ; and I cannot bear to lose the time : I seem to need
the more of this as the stock diminishes ; for, some-
how, I cannot get as much done in a day as I used
to do. Moreover, it is no good running away from
winter unless you can go far. For our southern
borders have been unusually wintry, and they want
our guards and preparations against cold. . . . We
were glad enough to get back to our well and equa-
bly warmed house, where, indeed, we are most com-
fortable.

You called my attention, I believe, to Professor
Allen's book on the "Development of Christian

780 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1886,

Doctrine." I take shame to myself that I did not pro-
cure and read it. But I know its lines, and read
some part of it before it was in the book, and, of
course, I like it much.

I am going, in a few days, to send you a little book,
with similar bearings, which I read in the articles of
which it is made up. I think you will find much of
it interesting.

Bishop Temple's "Bampton Lectures" seemed to
me very good as far as it went, but hardly came up to
expectation.

I saw something of Canon Farrar when here. He
pleased well, and I think was well pleased ; and per-
sonally he was very pleasing and lovable.

I wish more of the English Churchmen would visit
us, and give more time especially to the study of their
own branch of the church in the United States, — a
very thriving one. I think they might learn much
that would be helpful and hopeful, — difficult as it
may be to apply the experience and the ways of one
country to another.

I have seen, but not read, Mr. Forbes's " Travels in
Eastern Archipelago." Those who have read it here
say it is very interesting. We have a great lot of his
dried plants from Sumatra and Java, unnamed, which
at odd hours I am arranging for the herbarium. I
hope that in his new journey he will manage to make
better specimens. But, as he is primarily an ento-
mologist, this can hardly be expected. But, if I
rightly understand, he goes out now with a good back-
ing and probably better conveniences for collecting
than he could have had before.

We have been, and still are, much interested in
English politics and election excitements. You are

^T. 75.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 781

having very anxious times, indeed. "What a pity that
some one party, that is, one of the two great parties,
is not strong enough, and homogeneous enough, to
command the situation for the time being, and to
deal independently of Parnell, or, indeed, of Cham-
berlain. . . .

We Americans are wonderfully peaceful — our
only real questions now pending are financial, and
those not yet treated as they ought to be, on party
lines. .We have an awful silver craze ; but we hope
to arrest it before it comes to the worst, though sense
and argument are at present ineffectual.

We have a comfortable trust in the principle that
"Providence specially protects from harm the
drunken, the crazy, and the United States of
America."

I see our friend Professor Thayer now and then.
He is well and flourishing. Mrs. Gray and I are
very well indeed, and we send our most cordial good
wishes to you all.

Very sincerely yours, ASA GRAY.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, March 9, 1886.

When I read A. de Candolle's notice of Boissier, I
thought it was " charming." Anyhow, it brought back
to me the charming memory of a very lovable man.
I dare say neither De Candolle nor I has done jus-
tice to Boissier's work. I could only touch and go, —
make a picture that would just sketch the kind of
man he was.

. . . Yes, I have got on Ranunculaceae, and have
done up to and through Ranunculus, minus the Ba-
trachium set, of which happily we have few in North

782 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1886,

America, that we know of. But having done some
while ago the Gamopetalae of Pringle's interesting
North Mexican collection, I am now switched off to
the same in a hurried collection made by Dr. Palmer,
in an unvisited part of Chihuahua, in which very much
is new. One after another those Mocino l and Sesse
plants turn up. Also those of Wislizenus, whom the
Mexicans for a time interned on the flanks of the
Sierra Madre.

We are bound to know the botany of the parts of
Mexico on our frontier, and so must even do the work.
Pringle goes back there directly, with increased facili-
ties, and will give special attention to the points of
territory which I regard as most hopeful.

Trelease, 2 our most hopeful young botanist, — es-
tablished at St. Louis, — is here for a part of the win-
ter, to edit a collection of the scattered botanical pub-
lications of Engelmann which Shaw pays for — or at
least pays for to a large extent. He would have the
plates and figures, and that will double the cost and
the sum Shaw offered to provide. We may have to
sell some of the edition in order to recoup the
charges. . . .

Yes, you hit a blot. I can see to all my own books,
such as the "Synoptical Flora." But, somehow, I
cannot restrain the publishers from altering the date
of their title-pages when they print off a new issue
from the stereotype plates. . . .

1 Josef Mariano Moeino. Was on the coast of California in 1792.
Botanized in Mexico, especially in the northern part. His drawings,
brought to Europe after the death of Sesse", were left with A,ug. Pyr.
de Candolle. When suddenly reclaimed they were copied for him
by the united labors of the ladies of Geneva.

2 William Trelease, St. Louis ; professor of botany at Washing-
ton University, and director of Missouri Botanical Garden.

JET. 75.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 783

What do I call an alpine plant ? Why, one that
has its habitat above the limit of trees — mainly —
though it may run down lower along streams. But
in a dry region, where forest has no fair chance, we
might need to mend the definition.

Upon your paper, I got a few notes — offhand, by
references.

I' premise that in New England we have two places
where several alpine plants are stranded at lower
levels than they ought, peculiar conditions of configu-
ration and shelter having preserved them, while the
exposed higher grounds have lost them. They are
Willoughby Mountain and the Notch of Mt. Mans-
field, Vermont.

As to your III. Of the whole list of alpine
plants of Oregon and northward and not of Cali-
fornia, I can put my hand upon only two that are yet
known in California, viz., Armania verna and Vac-
cinium ca3spitosum, which comes in its var. arbuscula
only.

There is a great lack of alpine arctic plants in Cali-
fornia. First, because there is not much place for
them now ; secondly, because there havex been such
terrible and vast volcanic deposits — lava and ashes
— that they must have been all killed out.

But for all these matters we shall one of these days
have fuller and surer data — after my day. Well, I
must stop. ...

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

CAMBRIDGE, June 29, 1886.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — Your letter and in-
closure of the 15th inst. gave me much pleasure.
Not only had I a natural curiosity to know more of

784 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1886,

Coulter,1 but also I find it important to know his
routes in Mexico and California.

At Los Angeles, last year, I fell in with one of the
" old settlers " who knew him, and who accompanied
him on that expedition into the Arizona desert on the
lower Colorado. Mr. Ball will ascertain and let me
know other particulars of the man, and the date of
his death, which probably occurred not long after that
last letter to you, from Paris.

In various ways I am convinced that I am on the
verge of superannuation. Still I work on ; and now,
dividing the orders with Mr. Watson (who, though not
young, is eight or ten years my junior), we are working
away at the Polypetalse of the " Synoptical Flora of
North America," with considerable heat and hope.
But it is slow work !

Tuckerman, our lichenologist, has gone before us !
I shall in a few days send you a copy of the memo-
rial of him which I contributed to the Council report
of the American Academy of Sciences and am having
reprinted in the " American Journal of Science " for
July.

My wife is fairly well. . . . She is always busy ;
and we both enjoy life with a zest, being in all re-
spects very happily situated, particularly in having
plenty to do.

Let us hope that you may still be able to give us
better accounts of Madame de Candolle and of your-
self ; and believe me to be always,

Yours affectionately, ASA GRAY.

1 Thomas Coulter. Little is known of him. He explored in Mex-
ico many years and in California in 1831 and 1832. Was appointed
Curator of the herbarium of the Dublin Botanic Garden, where he
died in 1843.

JST. 75.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 785

TO J. D. DANA.
BOTANIC GARDEN, CAMBRIDGE, MASS., September 20, 1886.

MY DEAR DANA, — Well ! " the books " have just
come.

I suppose you are in no hurry for notices of them,
and would prefer short ones. . . .

I rather like to do such things incog., as in the
" Nation," in which I sometimes take a shot at this
or that.

I and wife are well, — very.

Had a week in Old Oneida, which still looks
natural. I am grinding away at " Flora," and prob-
ably shall be found so doing when I am called for.

Very well ! I have a most comfortable and happy
old age. Wishing you the same,

Yours ever, A. GRAY.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, September 15, 1886.

. . . Has Ball returned to England ? If so, please
tell him that he promised to look up in Dublin, and
give from his own knowledge, some details of Coulter's
life. Alphonse de Candolle has sent me copies of
what letters he has, and they enable me to trace
Coulter's movements and whereabouts, which is help-
ful.

Old Goldie, l your father's correspondent lang
syne, died only this summer, very old.

My last bit of work was upon our Portulacaceae
for my "Flora." The genera are thin. It is as much
as one can do to keep up Montia (though if that fails

1 John Goldie, 1793-1886. Traveled in North America, 1817 to
1820, collecting plants. After his return to Scotland emigrated to
Ayr, Ontario, 1844, where he died.

786 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1886,

Claytonia should go to it rather than the contrary,
by right, — but convenience would call for the con-
trary), also Spraguea.

I have been having a holiday. A fortnight ago my
wife and I set out ; made a visit to my natal soil, in
the centre of the State of New York, in Oneida
County ; had a gathering of the surviving members —
most of them — of the family, of which I am the
senior, — two widowed sisters (one a sister-in-law),
there resident, and an older one who came with her
husband from Michigan ; my oldest brother and
family, who have the paternal homestead; the un-
married sister, who passes all her winters with us;
children and some grandchildren. One brother, a
lawyer in New York, and residing near by in New
Jersey, with wife and two boys, did not come. Another
absent nephew is in California, well settled there.

It is a pretty country, the upper valley of the Mo-
hawk and of tributary streams from the south, which
interlock with tributaries of the Susquehanna, at a
height of 1,000 to 1,500 feet above tide- water, beauti-
ful rolling hills and valleys, fertile and well culti-
vated, more like much of rural England than any-
thing else you saw over here. We wished you and
Lady Hooker could have been with us in our drives.
The summer air is just delightful, soft and fresh.

On our return we struck off and visited my brother
Joe and family, in the environs of New York, and so
came home much refreshed — though, indeed, I
hardly felt the need of a holiday.

Sargent has just started for a trip to the southern
part of the mountains of North Carolina, — a region
we are fond of and long to show you.

Now I am going to pitch into Malvaceae. I am

^T. 75.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 787

quite alone. Goodale took off Sereno Watson with
him, on a slow steamer to Amsterdam ; will run for
a fortnight or so over nearer parts of the Continent,
and Watson will look in at Kew. He was much
worn down, and the rest and change will be good for
him. I have filled my sheet with this gossip.

It was during this visit that Dr. Gray, when the
family gathered one morning for breakfast, had dis-
appeared. He came in smiling when the meal was
half over, and in answer to the anxious question
where he had been, said, " Oh, I have been to say to
Mrs. Rogers that I forgave her for getting above me
in the spelling-class."

CAMBRIDGE, October 31, 1886.

DEAR HOOKER, — Thanks for a nice long letter
from Bournemouth, September 27. Thanks, too, for
the hope — though rather dim — that you and wife
may come over to us in the spring. Before winter is
over we must arrange some programme ; for we four
must meet again somehow and somewhere, while in
the land of the living. But how is a problem.

... I see how difficult it must be for you to get
away as far as to us. Our obstacle to any amount of
strolling away is mainly the fear that if I interrupt
my steady work on the " Flora of North America," I
may not get back to it again, or have the present zeal
and ability for prosecuting it.

On the other hand, if I and my wife do not get
some play days now, while we can enjoy them, the
time will soon come when we shall have to say that we
have no pleasure in them. Therefore we are in sore
straits. ... If really you cannot come, then we will

788 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1886,

brave out the winter here, as we did last winter and
are none the worse ; then we will seriously consider
whether Mahomet shall go to the mountain, which will
not come to Mahomet.

I grind away at " Flora," but, like the mills of the
gods, I grind slowly, as becomes my age, — moreover,
to continue the likeness, I grind too "exceedingly
fine," being too finical for speed, pottering over so
many things that need looking into, and which I have
not the discretion to let alone. Consequently the
grist of each day's work is pitiably small in proportion
to the labor expended on it. I am now at MalvaceaB,
which I once enjoyed setting to rights, and of which
the North American species have got badly muddled
since I had to do with them.

If Sereno Watson — who should be back again in
twenty days — will only go on with the Crucif era3,
which he has meddled with a deal, and then do the
Caryophyllacese, which are in like case, we may by
March 1st have all done up to the Leguminosse.

We learn to-day, through a pamphlet sent by Miss
Horner, that Bunbury is dead — in June last. . . .

Your " Primer " — new edition — has not come yet.
Do not forget at. And then, as my manner is, I will
see if I can find fault with it. Same with Bentham's
" Hand-book," new edition. . . .

I do not wonder that you are happy and contented.
We should so like to see father, mother, and children
in their encampment at Sunningdale. May plenty of
sunshine be theirs !

Ball has sent me early sheets of his book. I must
find time to go through its pages.

The L.'s abroad, except the two girls (who are to
winter at San Remo) are now en voyage homeward.

JET. 76.] TO SIR EDWARD FRY. 789

William, their father, has been painted by Holl. He
is a good subject. Saw your sister B. (and kind
Lombe) ; she writes a charming letter to my wife ;
seems to hold her own wonderfully.

CAMBRIDGE, November 22, 1886.

Well, I have got safely through my seventy-sixth
birthday, which gives a sort of assurance. I have
always observed that if I live to November 18, I
live the year round !

You are working at Euphorbs, etc. ; I at Malva-
cea3, in which I find a good deal to do for the species,
and something for the betterment of genera. . . .

TO SIR EDWARD FRY.

CAMBRIDGE, November 13, 1886.

MY GOOD FRIEND, — Let me turn for a moment to
our quarter-millennial celebration of the foundation of
our university, though you in Europe may count our
antiquity as very modern. It was an affair of three
days, culminating on Monday last, and was altogether
very pleasant. You will like to know that among the
honorary degrees given, was one to Professor Allen,
of the Episcopal Theological School here, in recogni-
tion of the merits of his " Continuity of Eeligious
Thought," which work, I am glad to remember, you
much liked. The Mother Cambridge sent to us the
master of St. John's, Dr. Taylor, and Professor
Creighton, of Immanuel College, to which the found-
ers and first professors of Harvard belonged. Mrs.
Creighton came with him, and we found them pleasant
people. I suppose Lowell's oration, Holmes's poem,
and the doings in general will be in print before very
long, and I shall not forget to send you a copy.

790 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

We have been away from Cambridge very little
this last summer and autumn, only on very short
visits, or one rather longer one to my birthplace in
the central portion of New York, where we had a
family gathering.

There is a lull just now in your political situation.
I certainly at your last election should have gone
against Gladstone ! How so many of my country-
men — I mean thoughtful people — approve of home-
rule, i. e., of semi-secession, I hardly understand. But
local government as to local affairs is our strength,
and is what we are brought up to. Also, our safety
is in that the land — the agricultural land — is so
largely owned by the tiller. . . .

We should like to see old friends in England once
more in the flesh, and the feeling grows so that I may
feign a scientific necessity, and we may, if we live and
thrive, cross over to you next summer. At least we
dream of it, though it may never come to pass.

TO J. D. HOOKER.

CAMBRIDGE, January 18, 1887.

MY DEAR HOOKER, — Glad to see the " Botanical
Magazine " figure of Nymphsea flava f .6917.

There is something not quite right in the history as
you give it. Leitner was the botanist who showed
the plant to Audtibon, and gave it the name which
Audubon cites, and he died — was killed by the Flor-
ida Indians — " half a century ago." He was the
" a naturalist " you refer to.

The whole history and the mode of growth, sto-
lons, etc., has been repeatedly published here in the
journals, etc. See Watson's " Index " Supplement, etc.
Not that this is any matter, even about poor Leitner.

^T. 76.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 791

CAMBRIDGE, January 25, 1887.

. . . Yes, it has seemed to me clear that you could
not cross the Atlantic at present. And so it logically
follows that we must.

I had been coming to this conclusion, and only the
day before your letter arrived my good wife and I
had put our heads together and concluded that, if
nothing occurred meanwhile to prevent, we would
cross over, say in April. It is time we set about it,
if we are ever to do it ; and several things seem to
indicate that this is a more favorable time than we
can expect later.

As this will be " positively Dr. Gray's last appear-
ance on your shores," we must make the most of it.
Shall we have a Continental jaunt together, or shall
you be too much tied to home ?

Meanwhile I must work hard and steadily. . . .

As you " weed out " surplus of herbarium Kew,
keep them for me. When I come I will take care of
them. It is (as usual) good of you to think of us.
You have done so for so long a time that it is only
" second nature " — very good nature too.

Williamson, plant-fossil, long ago begged us to
come to British Association at Manchester, and be his
guests. If I do, what think you of my preparing a
paper for Botanical Section ; and will you join me in
it ? two venerables — anglice old fogies — on Nomen-
clature and Citations.

There are some points I should like to argue out
and explain ; to put on record, though it may be of
no use. Not that one wants to get up a discussion in
such a body — that would never do. . . .

792 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

CAMBRIDGE, February 22.

Thank you for sending me your edition of Ben-
tham's " Handbook," which looks well in its more con-
densed shape, and in which I dare say you have put a
good deal of conscientious work. But it seems to me
that Reeve & Company give it poor type and paper.

I am putting through a rehash of my " Lessons in
Botany," 1 more condensed, yet fuller, and with a new
name. This, with the companion book, which I must
live to do over, Deofavente, is the principal thing for
bread, and I need it for an endowment to keep up the
herbarium here, after my time.

Well, — don't speak of it aloud, — we have secured
our passages for April 7, and if I can get present work
off my hands in time, we may be on your soil soon
after Easter.

You may imagine me very busy, indeed.

Yours affectionately, A. GKAY.

Dr. Gray, with Mrs. Gray, landed in England,
April 18, and went from Liverpool to stay at Sun-
ningdale with Sir Joseph and Lady Hooker, where a
quiet, restful week was most pleasantly passed. He
went to London the first of May for a few days, meet-
ing again old friends, dining with them, and dropping
in for calls, "to report himself," as he said. He
did a little work at Kew, going back and forth ; then
crossed to Paris, finding at the Jardin des Plantes
what he had especially wanted to see, Lamarck's
herbarium, which had been acquired since he was
last there. It completed satisfactorily his studies in
Asters, as he had now seen everything of the genus
to be found in herbaria of importance.

1 Dr. Gray returned for this last book to the title of his first book,
published in 1836, Elements of Botany.

JET. 76.] TO . 793

A journey in Normandy with Sir J. D. Hooker had
been planned for May, but Sir Joseph was unable to
leave England, so Dr. Gray arranged to go to Vienna.
He greatly enjoyed the railroad journey from Bale, in
May, the fruit-trees white with blossoms about Lake
Zurich, then the wilder mountain scenery, and Salz-
burg, all bringing back the memories of his first
European journey forty-eight years before.

TO A. DE CANDOLLE.

HERBARIUM, KEW, April 23, 1887.

MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, — You will be a little
surprised at the sudden transfer of Mrs. Gray and my-
self to England; but I wanted a vacation and one
more bit of pleasant travel with Mrs. Gray while we
are both alive and capable of enjoying it. Whether I
shall look in upon you at Geneva is doubtful, but it
may be, even for a moment. We never expect to
have repeated the pleasant week at Geneva of the
spring of 1881.

We expect to go to Paris early in May, but subse-
quent movements are uncertain.

Always, dear De Candolle, affectionately yours,

ASA GRAY.

TO .

May 15, 1887.

I think the journey from Bale, in Switzerland, to
Salzburg was wonderfully fine and a great success,
and that May is a good time to do it, while there is
plenty of snow in the mountains. Lake Wallenstadt
showed to great advantage. And I had no idea that
the pass of the Arlberg, from Feldkirk to Innspruck,
was so high or so very fine. I believe it is the highest

794 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

railway pass across the Alps. I was quite unprepared
(which was all the better) for the exquisite and wild,
and in parts grand, scenery of the next day's journey
through the heart of Lower Tyrol and the Salzburg
Salzkammergut, by a slower train, a roundabout road
making more than twice the direct distance from
Innspruck to Salzburg, through the Zillerthal and over
a fairly high pass on to the upper part of the Salzach,
and down it through some wild canons into the plain,
from nine A. M. till five, of choicest scenery. The
great castle, so picturesquely placed in the Lichten-
stein (plain), is Schloss-Werden. Rainy day at Salz-
burg, or should have had noble views. If the weather
had been good, I think we would have driven from
Salzburg to Ischl, and then come by the Traunsee
to Linz. But after all, from my remembrance, it
would hardly have come up to what we had already
seen. And though it was a rainy day for the Danube,
we did see everything pretty well, and most comfort-
ably, in the ladies' cabin of the steamer, with windows
all round the three sides, and most of the time the
whole to ourselves, or with only one quiet lady, who
evidently cared nothing for the views. J. says I
was bobbing all the time from one side to the other.
I was looking out for the views which I had when
going up the Danube forty-eight years ago. J. thinks
it not equal to the Rhine, but there is rather more of
it, or scattered over more space.

TO SIR J. D. HOOKER.
HOTEL BEAU BJVAGE, GENEVA, May 24, 1887.
I do believe we shall have to return to America to
thaw out. Here we arrive in Geneva this morning,
full of memories of delightf ul summer, ten days earlier

,ET. 76.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 795

than this in 1881, to find snow down even to foothills
of the Jura and on Mont Saleve ; it came two days
ago, and the air, though clear, is very chilly, which is
not to my liking.

Vienna was much better, excepting our last day,
which had a cold and high wind, and our night jour-
ney to Munich was cold and comfortless, in spite of
the best appliances.

I have nothing new to tell you of Vienna, where
we made out our full week, quite enjoyingly.

Besides the normal sight-seeing, and drives around
this truly magnificent city, we went one afternoon to
the astronomical observatory out at Wahring (Weiss
and wife being old acquaintances), and next day they
went with us to the Prater. Korner and daughter took
us to Schonbrunn. I went with these to a meeting of
the Academy of Sciences ; had a good turn around the
new and immense, but mostly yet unarranged, Natural
History Museum with Hauer, the director, and Stein-
dachner, the zoological curator; had a look at the
Hofherbarium on the upper floor, now under charge
of a young man, Beck (and looked up some of
Haenke's things there). How different from forty-
eight years ago, when Endlicher was curator, Fenzl,
assistant, and the former took me out to the Botanic
Garden to call on old Jacquin, etc. Steindachner, who
was with Agassiz for a year or two at Cambridge,
would have us come to his house for our last even-
ing ; Suss l and frau to meet us, — charming couple ;
would have been lots more, but we cut it short ; had a
jolly, pleasant evening. Korner was prevented from
coming. He has been asked to take Eichler's 2 place

1 Eduard Siiss ; professor of paleontology at Vienna.

2 A. W. Eichler, 1839-1887 ; succeeded Alexander Braun at Berlin.

796 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

at Berlin ; a botanic garden man and good teacher.
Weisner's physiological laboratory I had an hour or
two in, and saw all his gimcracks ; some nice ones.
Saturday evening we went by rail to Salzburg (at day-
dawn) ; Munich at sunrise, not stopping ; on to Ulm
soon after ten A. M. Bad weather kept Mrs. Gray
indoors all day Sunday, though I ran about. Monday
morning she had with me a good look over Ulm min-
ster, inside and out; the upper part of the spire is
rebuilding, and is to be carried up with the true taper,
according to the original plan. That sight -seeing
done, we came yesterday to, and across, the Lake Con-
stance, to Zurich, for late afternoon and evening, and
on to Geneva overnight.

I passed an hour this morning with De Candolle,
— aged, but fairly cheerful, — and he begged me to
breakfast with him to-morrow. Miiller Argoviensis
was not at his post.

What a season you have had, and what a fiasco
Normandy would have been, as you say. Why, the
apple blossoms are only now out here. We did have
comfortable, warm and dry weather at Vienna, and
the Belvidere gallery is most enjoyable. Berlin we
don't in the least care for ; but our faces are rather
set for Amsterdam, Antwerp, etc. If you have a call
to write me soon after getting this, for a day or two
you might venture Amsterdam, poste restante; but
later the old address, to Hotel St. Remain, Rue San
Roque, would be the thing until further notice ; add
"To be kept till caUed for."

I doubt if we shall be back in England before the
17th or 18th, and then Mrs. Gray will have to join
her luggage, left somewhere in the neighborhood of
Charing Cross, where it now reposes, and we shall
have to hasten down to Cambridge. . . .

^T. 76.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 797

We have had an enjoyable time ; and, I suppose,
shall by day after to-morrow set off Rhine-wards,
stopping, perhaps, a day at Strasburg, and by the
Low Countries back to Paris, probably not to be again
on this side of the Channel, unless you and Lady H.
will take a trip to Normandy with us, either in Au-
gust or September.

I hope you will soon have done with Phyllanthus,
and that you will not hesitate to restore as many old
genera as your own judgment dictates. Your expe-
rience and present insight must exceed Bentham's.
And what you must needs indicate, the next man will
take up, and probably cackle over.

My wife joins in love to yours and you ; will be
likely to write when she can.

From Geneva the old journey of 1850 was nearly
repeated, and Dr. Gray came down the Rhine, by rail
this time, to Brussels, Amsterdam, the Hague, back to
Antwerp and Brussels, and so to Paris. Besides meet-
ing old friends, the object of the journey, he said, was
to have one more good look at picture-galleries and
churches and cathedrals ; and great was his enjoyment
of them, unwearied his wanderings about the places
where he stopped. The new galleries at Amsterdam
and Brussels, and their superb collections, delighted
him, and the grand music of the cathedrals and their
noble interiors seemed a new source of pleasure.

He missed his old friends in Paris ; Decaisne was
gone, and Lavallee, etc. He went to a meeting at the
Institute, and saw Chevreuil, who had passed his hun-
dredth birthday, but spoke a few words with life and
animation. There were some excursions in the neigh-
borhood, and some work in the herbarium, where he
received every kind attention.

798 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

TO .

PARIS, June, 1887.

. . . The views -on the garden and park side of the
Palace of Fontainebleau, and over the carp pond, which
came up to the walls, were very pretty ; partly clipped
and trimmed trees made into green walls, partly more
English.

. . . At half past one, in an open light carriage
with a canopy overhead, keeping off the hot sun, and
letting through the fresh air, we were off for our two
hours' drive through the famous forest. The main
avenues, long and straight, and formal ; but the for-
est was voted very handsome. A change came when
we reached the ruin of the hermitage of Franchard,
and the extensive region of rocks and dells. We
were taken through by an old guide, who, with much
pride, paraded the little and queer English he had
picked up, and showed off all the sights, the most im-
portant to him being those in which bits of rock could
be likened to a lion's head, a beef's tongue, a turtle,
and the like. First and foremost, in a sort of over-
arched grotto, was " La roche qui pleure," a great dis-
appointment ! A sort of crack or joint between two
layers of the rock exuded a little moisture in one
spot ; voila tout. We shed about as many tears in
our laughter at the sight ; more indeed, for we could
see not a drop. I dare say at some seasons there
may be a little drip. But the dells among the rocks
were fine, and the stories of the boar hunts, and all
that, by the kings and queens and courtiers, could be
made fairly real on the spot, and the famous points of
view, one of Maria Theresa, one of Eugenie, were
effective. A drive back by another route took us
through some older forest ; occasionally a really old

JET. 76.] TO . 799

tree, and one truly old and large linden. There may
be parts in which there are trees as large and venera-
ble as in old English parks, but we saw only this one
old tree. The forest is very large, and we had to be
content with this one drive. We might have had one
hour more of it, for we had all that to wait for our
train back to Paris, very pleasant as it cooled at even-
ing.

June 9, I at work at Jardin des Plantes, but back
at noon, and at half past twelve we drive across Paris to
the Gare de Sceaux and out to Vilmorin's. At Massy,
where we leave the railway, Henry de Vilmorin
awaited us, with his nice carriage, and took us to the
charming place at Verrieres, so full to us of recollec-
tions. It is prettier than ever, the house enlarged
and so full of very nice things. V. and I were most
of the time in the grounds, looking at plants, back to
afternoon tea and cake, which we much enjoyed, being
hungry, and to accommodate us they put forward the
dinner hour to six. Besides the children and English
governess, we had at dinner a very interesting abbe,
with a charming, intellectual face, and a manner to
match — a Monsignor ; for he takes that title as a
member of the Pope's household or personal staff.
He had passed a portion of his life at Moscow, as
the cure of a French Catholic church there, had
seen a good deal of the Roman Catholic bishop of
Chicago and other American brothers ; was a good
deal interested in America, and after the ice was
broken and he found he could understand J.'s French,
and even mine, which amused as well as instructed
him, we had much chat. We had to break off. Vil-
morin drove us back a few miles to Fontenay-la-Rose,
to take a particular train, and so we were at our

800 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

quarters in Rue St. Roche before dark. That need
not mean very early, for the days here are wonderfully
protracted.

He crossed to England June 14, passed a day or
two in London, and then went to the Camp, quite glo-
rious with the rhododendrons in blossom ; and with
Sir Joseph and Lady Hooker, on the 18th, went to
Cambridge, where they were the guests of Mrs. Dar-
win. A delightful Sunday was spent in meeting old
friends, and on Monday were all the ceremonies, new
and strange, of conferring of degrees. The great
sensation of the day was the presence of the Lord
Mayor with all his train ; he also was to have a de-
gree. . . . No one can surpass Dr. Sandys in the
felicity with which he presents the distinguished men
whom Cambridge University honors with its highest
degrees. In his presentation of Dr. Gray, he said
(we translate from the exquisite Latin) :

" And now we are glad to come to the Harvard
professor of Natural History, facile princeps of trans-
atlantic botanists. Within the period of fifty years,
how many books has he written about his fairest sci-
ence ; how rich in learning, how admirable in style !
How many times has he crossed the ocean that he
might more carefully study European herbaria, and
better know the leading men in his own department !
In examining, reviewing and sometimes gracefully
correcting the labors of others, what a shrewd, honest
and urbane critic has he proved himself to be ! How
cheerfully, many years ago, among his own western
countrymen was he the first of all to greet the rising
sun of our own Darwin, believing his theory of the
origin of various forms of life demanded some First

JET. 76.] TO - — . 801

Cause, and was in harmony with a faith in a Deity
who has created and governs all things ! God grant
that it may be allowed such a man at length to carry
to a happy completion that great work, which he long
ago began, of more accurately describing the flora
of North America! Meanwhile, this man who has
so long adorned his fair science by his labors and his
life, even unto a hoary age, 'bearing,' as our poet
says, ' the white blossom of a blameless life,' him, I
say, we gladly crown, at least with these flowerets of
praise, with this corolla of honor (his saltern laudis
flosculis, hac saltern honoris corolla, libenter corona-
mus). For many, many years may Asa Gray, the
venerable priest of Flora, render more illustrious this
academic crown." /

England was in a stir with the Queen's Jubilee ; it
was impossible to be in London on the twenty-first, as
Dr. Gray must get to Oxford to receive his degree
on the twenty-second, and a good part of the day was
used in crossing country by various railroads ; but the
sight of the crowds, the decorations, the bands every-
where, was very interesting, and the enthusiasm con-
tagious. Oxford had its gay share of illumination in
the evening, and the next day Dr. Gray received his
degree with several others, among them his old Cam-
bridge acquaintance, Story, the sculptor.

TO .

BLACHFOKD, Sunday, July 2.

... I am to add some supplementary notes.
At the Cambridge University lunch, I had Mrs.
Jebb assigned to me to take in. Oscar Browning took
the seat on my right. Opposite was a man I was

802 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

glad to see, Lord Acton, — middle-aged, of high
scholarship and admirable taste, who fought a long
and losing battle against the superstitious tendencies
of his (Roman Catholic) church ; and after lunch I
had a pleasant conversation with him; was glad to
find he was one of the new D. C. L. crew at Oxford,
where I again saw something of him. He has been
in the United States when only a baronet.

At the Oxford Christ Church dinner I was placed
at the high table, only two away from the Dean's
left, the two Dr. Jellett, provost of Trinity College,
Dublin (who was doctored), and the bishop of Gi-
braltar. On my left was Talbot, the warden of Keble
College (the very high church one), and I know little
of what I ate or drank, for we had a steady stream of
conversation on high topics, treated with immense
frankness on both sides. Dr. Jellett made the return-
thanks speech for all four of the new-made Doctors
present, — himself, Story, Dr. Wright, Arabic pro-
fessor at Cambridge, and myself, a speech full of Irish
humor. That was arranged to be all. But the lower
tables somehow knew by instinct what Story wanted,
and called him out. He made a rather funny speech.
Then Liddon had to move thanks to the president of
the feast, the Dean (Liddell), and a capital speech he
made, even to my apprehension. I saw that there was
a good deal between the lines in what he was saying,
but did not know the half of it till I was told after-
wards. Paget, my host, was opposite me. Prestwich,
whom I had not before got sight of, was next him. It
was a long affair, but very pleasant to me.

Next morning was the call on Professor Bartholo-
mew Price and wife, in a charming old house, meeting
Tylor and Maspero ; then we went to the Museum,,

^T. 76.] TO . 803

giving our time there to the new well-contrived Pitt-
River Museum of Ethnology ; then walked to
Acland's and made a long call on his daughter,
who seemed pleased, and we certainly were to see her
again, and looking well, though a sufferer and invalid.
The dinner at Balfour's, J. will describe.

Friday, at ten o'clock, the Hookers called with a
carriage, and we drove to Nuneham, seven miles, where
Colonel Harcourt, older brother of Sir William Har-
court, had invited us to see the place and lunch. It is
one of the principal seats of the Harcourt family, —
not the oldest, which is on the Thames much higher
up — and is in view from the railway to London, a
handsome but externally rather plain pile, and so full
of remarkable things. As soon as we arrived we were
shown through most of the house by Colonel H., and
some of the historical curiosities were brought out. . . .
There is an unparalleled gallery of original portraits
of British poets, mostly given by themselves, almost
all of them. . . .

The " omnibus " had been ordered, and we drove
through the park, into the arboretum, and through it
by winding roads were landed at the conservatory
and gardens, the dairy, the ornamental grounds,
filled with statues, etc., inscriptions in verse and prose
set up by the wits of the times of George II. and III. In
the house we were shown some of the letters, of which
there is a vast quantity, now being sorted and arranged
in volumes and indexed. One volume is of those of
George III., beginning with those when a small boy,
and badly spelled, ending with some when an old man
and insane. Then a walk along the terrace and the
side commanding the fine views, from some points
Oxford dimly seen in the distance ; then the lunch.

804 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

Our carriage was announced, and we took leave, a
shorter way through the park being pointed out. Got
back to Oxford just in time to take leave of H. (her
husband out) and take a fly to train, and so to Lon-
don ; separated from the Hookers, who had to take a
slip car, to be dropped at Reading. We went straight
to Paddington without stop, and thence in a cab to the
Deanery, where our dear good friends awaited us.

Saturday afternoon, we were all going with the
Churches to the Archbishop of Canterbury's garden
party at Lambeth Palace, when, at breakfast, Mrs. C.
got an invitation from Mrs. Gladstone to hers, at
Dollys Hill, up near Harrow, and the question of
dividing forces came up. It was settled, as I wished,
by Mrs. C., Fred, and I going by underground to the
Gladstones, while J. and the Misses C. went by car-
riage to Lambeth. Mrs. Gladstone sent her carriage
down to the station, a mile off, which took us up to a
pleasant country house, which some one (I think Lord
Aberdeen) has lent to the G. O. M. It was all lucky
for me. At Oxford, Bryce had asked me to his din-
ner for July 6, where he said Gladstone wanted to
meet me, and our engagements here made that impos-
sible. At the garden party, while we were there, the
people were few and a good chance to talk. Mrs.
Gladstone was most gracious. Gladstone said he was
very glad to see me in the flesh, and we had pleas-
ant talk, of nothing in particular. Lord Granville
sought an introduction, asked Lowell, who was there,
to introduce him, and then introduced his brother,
Lord Leveson Gower, and afterward his son. Then
I was put at the tea-table at the side of Miss Glad-
stone, the principal of Newnham College at Cam-
bridge, a most bright and pleasant person ; and after

JET. 76.] TO - — . 805

a long talk, a lady with a very pleasant and handsome
face pushed in a chair between us and asked an in-
troduction, — Lady Lyttleton. ... I met her next day
at evening, at Mr. Talbot's (M. P.) house, where I
went to be taken to a good seat at St. Margaret's
Church, Westminster, now serving for the Abbey, to
hear Talbot, the warden of Keble, preach.

Sunday morning, to continue my separate doings, I
went to the Temple Church, to hear the very sweet
music, better in my opinion than that of St. Paul's,
and to hear the cWkplain (Master is his proper title),
Vaughan. Capital sermon it was. Afternoon I was
quiet. At seven o'clock I went to Westminster to
hear Talbot, the warden of Keble. These very high
clergymen have a way of preaching broad-minded
sermons. Talbot's might have been preached by
Phillips Brooks, or even by A. P. Peabody, except
for an incidental phrase or two, and except for some
posturing at the prayers. So my idea of the man, as
a man of excellent sense, in spite of his setting in a
very superstitious school, was confirmed.

Tyndall dinner ; here as a guest, I was the third
on the left of the chairman (Stokes, president of
Royal Society), only Lord Bathurst and Lord Derby
between. The speaking I thought heavy enough, ex-
cept for Lord Derby's speech, which was pointed and
witty, and Lord Rayleigh's, at the end, which was
neat and sensible. Met there (in Willis's Rooms;
the dinner was in the Almack's ballroom of old days)
a good many old acquaintances, and of course had a
good time.

From London, after more entertainments, Dr. Gray
went to Devonshire, where he made a charming visit at

806 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

Blachf ord with his friends Lord and Lady Blachf ord ;
most interesting excursions followed over the downs,
a day up the Tamar to Cothele ; and he made other
visits on the way back, one to his old Cambridge
friend, Mrs. James, near Exeter, where he had an
afternoon call at Killerton, Sir Thomas Acland's, and
saw the fine beeches, etc. ; returned to London, where
there was much visiting before he went to Edinburgh
for another degree. On the way to the north he
visited the grounds of Welbeck, and saw the fine trees
of Sherwood (Robin Hood's) f oitest, — beeches, and
grand, hoar old oaks.

From Edinburgh Dr. Gray went through England
to Normandy, meeting Sir Joseph Hooker and his party
at Rouen; then came a delightful trip given to
churches and cathedrals.

He wrote : " Bayeux and Coutances surprised us,
they are so very good ; only Amiens and St. Ouen can
compare with them in beauty, especially interior views.

" No two of all these Normandy churches are alike ;
even those of essentially similar style differ both
within and without so much that you would not wish
to miss any one. Those old church builders were
geniuses, and worked by inspiration."

He gave a day to Mont St. Michel, and then sepa-
rating from the Hookers he went to Chartres, to see it
again after thirty years, and by Rouen and Amiens
returned to England; when came an interesting
visit to Harpenden to Dr. and Mrs. Gilbert, viewing
the famous experiments in agriculture at Rothamp-
stead. And the seeing of cathedrals was closed by a
most delightful and busy day at Canterbury with
Canon and Mrs. Fremantle.

At the end of August he went to Manchester to

JET. 76.] SPEECH AT MANCHESTER. 807

attend the meeting of the British Association, and he
and Mrs. Gray were guests of Professor Williamson ;
De Bary and M. de Saporta being also under the
same hospitable roof. It was an unusual assemblage
of botanists, and a very enjoyable occasion.

Dr. Gray seconded Sir Henry Roscoe's address at
the opening of the meeting with this short speech : —

" For the very great honor of being called upon to
second the motion for a vote of thanks to your illus-
trious president, I am mainly indebted to that defer-
ence which is naturally accorded to advancing years ;
a deference which sometimes, as in the present case,
takes one unawares.

" In looking over the list of Corresponding Mem-
bers of the British Association, I find myself, much
to my surprise, nearly, if not quite, the oldest sur-
vivor.

" I recognize, therefore, a certain fitness, on this
score, in the call upon me to be the spokesman of
those, your brethren from other lands, who have been
invited to this auspicious gathering, and to the priv-
ilege of listening to the very thoughtful, well-timed,
and most instructive address of your president.

" As guests, we desire, Mr. Mayor, heartily to
thank the City of Manchester and the officers of the
Association for inviting us ; we wish to thank you,
Sir Henry, for the gratification your address has
afforded us.

" Convened at Manchester, and coming myself by
way of Liverpool, I would say, personally, that there
are two names which memory calls up from the dis-
tant past, with unusual distinctness, both names
familiar to this audience, and well-known over the
world, but which now rise to my mind in a very

808 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

significant way. For I am old enough to have taken
my earliest lessons in chemistry just at the time when
the atomic theory of Dalton was propounded and was
taught in the text-books as the latest new thing in
science. Some years earlier, Washington Irving, in
his Sketch-book, had hallowed to our youthful minds
the name of Roscoe, making it the type of all that
was liberal, wise, and gracious. And when I came to
know something of botany, I found that this exem-
plar as well as patron of good learning had, by his
illustrations of monandrian plants, taken rank among
the patres conscripti of the botany of that day.

" The name so highly honored then we now honor
in the grandson. And I am confident that I express
the sentiments of your foreign guests whom I repre-
sent, when I simply copy the words of your president
in 1842, now reproduced in the opening paragraph of
the address of the president of 1887, transferring, as
we fitly may, the application from the earlier to the
later Manchester chemist.

" ' Manchester is still the residence of one whose
name is uttered with respect wherever science is culti-
vated, who is here to-night to enjoy the honors due to
a long career of persevering devotion to knowledge.'

" I cannot continue the quotation without material
change. ' That increase of years to him has been but
increase of wisdom,' may, indeed be said of Roscoe
no less than of Dalton ; but we are happy to know
that we are now contemplating not the diminished
strength of the close, but the manly vigor of the mid-
course of a distinguished career. Long and prosper-
ously may it go on from strength to strength.

" In general, praise of the address which we have
had the pleasure of hearing would not be particularly

JET. 76.] SPEECH AT MANCHESTER. 809

becoming from one whose chemistry nearly ended as
well as began with the simple atomic theory of Dalton.
But there is one topic which I may properly speak of,
standing as I do as a representative of those favored
individuals which your programme, for lack of a better
distinguishing word, calls ' foreigners.' I refer to the
urgently expressed ' hope that this meeting may be
the commencement of an international scientific organ-
ization/ For this we thank you, Mr. President, most
heartily. This is, indeed, a consummation devoutly to
be wished, and confidently to be hoped for by all of
us, especially by those for whom I am speaking.

" Not only we Americans, who are of British de-
scent, and who never forget that blood is thicker than
water, but as well our Continental associates on this
platform, of the various strains of blood which, inter-
fused, have produced this English race and fitted it
for its noble issues, — we, each and all, I repeat, accept
this name of 'foreigners' only in the conventional
sense which the imperfection of the language imposes.
In the forum of science we ignore it altogether. One
purpose unifies and animates every scientific mind
with ' one divine intent,' and that by no means the
' far-off intent ' of which the poet sings, but one very
near and pervading. So we took to heart the closing
words of your president's most pertinent and timely
address. Indeed, we had taken them to heart in
anticipation, and so have come to this meeting, one
hundred strong or more (in place of the ordinary
score) fully bent upon making this Manchester meet-
ing international.

" Far back in my youthful days there was a strong-
willed President of the United States, of military
antecedents, who once drew up and promulgated an

810 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

official order which somewhat astounded his cabinet
officers. ' Why, Mr. President,' they said, ' you can't
do that.' ' Can't do it ? ' replied General Jackson ;
' Don't you see that I have done it ? ' And so we
internationals have come and done it. I am the un-
worthy spokesman of such a numerous and such #
distinguished array of scientific foreigners as have
never been assembled before. Next year, if you will,
you shall have as many more. When you too are
ready to cross the Channel or the North Sea, we shall
compose only a larger scientific brotherhood. And
when you cross again the Atlantic, the brotherhood of
science will be the more increased, and its usefulness
in proportion.

" In behalf of your foreign guests, I heartily second
the motion."

From Manchester Dr. Gray went to Failand, to his
friend Sir Edward Fry; then followed a visit to
Miss North, in Gloucestershire, where he met, among
others, Mr. and Mrs. Elwes,1 and drove one day to
Tortworth to lunch with Lord and Lady Ducie ; then
to Kew. A few days there with his kind friends, Dr.
and Mrs. Oliver, a farewell visit to his old friend, Miss
Sullivan, at Broom House, to the Camp to say good-
by to the Hookers, and finally to Liverpool to sail in
the Pavonia, October 7. Just six months, as Dr. Gray
said, of wonderful enjoyment and success ; everything
had gone as it should, there were no mishaps, the
days had run on as each had been planned, and he
came home in wonderful vigor and spirits.

1 Henry John Elwes, author of the sumptuous monograph of the
genus Lilium.

Mt. 76.] TO J. D. HOOKER. 811

CAMBRIDGE, October 24, 1887.

DEAR REDFIELD, — Thanks, many, for letter of
the 22d. . . .

We have had " a good time," and after long play
I am getting down to work. . . .

Thanks to you all for your congratulations, in which
my good wife sincerely joins.

Yours affectionately, ASA GRAY.

HERBARIUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
BOTANIC GARDEN, CAMBRIDGE, MASS., October, 1887.

DEAR HOOKER, — Your welcome letter in this
morning. I was just writing a notice of Ampelideae,
and your remarks are in time for me to sharpen it up
a bit. I think I can smash his notice about Ampe-
lopsis.

Who is Miss Grant, who says she knows you both ?
She sculps, I believe. Ever yours,

A. GRAY.

There was much to do on getting home and settling
down again, and many things were planned for the
winter's work. Dr. Gray particularly wished to write
some accounts of the old botanists he had seen in his
earlier visits, being stirred thereto by Reichenbach l of
Hamburg, and by the stories he told one evening at Dr.
Oliver's, at Kew, when all agreed it was a pity some
of these characteristic things should not go on record.
He took up work on the " Flora," wrote a review of
" Darwin's Life and Letters," and had a busy time
before him.

Professor Baird, director of the Smithsonian, and an

1 Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach, 1823-1889 ; professor of botany at
Hamburg, and an authority on orchids.

812 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

old friend, had died during the summer, and Dr. Gray,
from his long connection with the institution, was
much interested in the appointment of his successor.
He went on in November to Washington to a special
meeting of the Regents, when Professor Langley was
appointed; wrote from Washington of the wonderful
amount he had done in one day, and hurried back ;
liking always, if he could, to surprise those at home
by being somewhat earlier than he had promised. He
began the Annual Necrology for the " American
Journal of Science." He was already at work on the
Vitacese for the " Flora."

He went in to Boston for the family Thanksgiving
dinner, though there had seemed some threatening of
a cold, but he pronounced himself perfectly comforta-
ble. Still there was a quick breathing and some list-
lessness, so that he was nursed a little on Friday;
though he saw Miss Murfree, who had been brought
by Mrs. Houghton to ask him to settle some question
about a flower of the Southern Alleghanies, and he
entered into the matter with all his old life and eager-
ness. That evening he had two slight chills, so that
the doctor was summoned the next day, and fearing
some chest trouble, as he seemed threatened with one
of his bronchial attacks, advised him to keep in bed.
On Sunday his pulse and temperature had improved
so much that he was allowed to get up and go down
stairs at noon, the doctor congratulating him on the
success of the treatment. There seemed a weakness
of the right hand, which, however, passed away, and
he wrote that evening the letter to Dr. Britton, which
follows, and when remonstrated with for making the
exertion, said " it was important and must be writ-
ten."

JET. 77.] TO DR. BRITTON. 813

Sunday Evening, November 27, 1887.

DEAK DK. BRITTON, — I wish to call your attention
either in a personal way or in the " Bulletin," if pre-
ferred, to a name coined by you on the 223d page of
this year's " Bulletin."

" Conioselinum bipinnatum (Walter, Fl. Car. under
Apium), Britton, Selinum Canadense, Michx., 1803."

I want to liberate my mind by insisting that the
process adopted violates the rules of nomenclature by
giving a superfluous name to a plant, and also that in
all reasonable probability your name is an incorrect
one.

Take the second point first. On glancing at the
" Flora of North America," of Torrey and Gray, 1,
619, where the name Conioselinum Canadense legiti-
mately came in, you will notice that the name Apium
bipinnatum, Walt., is not cited as a synonym ; also
that the synonymous name of Cnidium Canadense,
Spreng., is cited with " excl. Syn." This Apium bi-
pinnatum, Walt., you might gather was one referred
to. Sufficient reason for the exclusion by Dr. Torrey
might have been that Michaux's plant is a cold north-
ern one, which nobody would expect in or near Wal-
ter's ground — the low and low middle part of Carolina.
Besides, the preface of that "Flora" states that
Walter's herbarium had meanwhile been inspected by
Dr. Torrey 's colleague, who may now add that the
Apium bipinnatum is not there. So that the name
you adopt rests wholly upon a mere guess of Spren-
gel's, copied by De Candolle, dropped on good grounds
by Torrey, but inadvertently reproduced in Watson's
" Index," copying De Candolle. I suppose you would
not contend that a wholly unauthenticated and dubi-
ous (I might say, doubtless mistaken) name, under

814 FINAL JOURNEYS AND WORK. [1887,

a wrong genus, should supersede by its specific half a
well-authenticated and legitimate name. And I am
sure that you will not take it amiss when I say that
very long experience has made it clear to me that
this business of determining rightful names is not so
simple and mechanical as to younger botanists it
seems to be, but is very full of pitfalls. I trust it is
no personal feeling which suggests the advice that it
is better to leave such rectifications for monographs
and comprehensive works, or at least to make quite
sure of the ground.

We look to you and to such as yourself, placed at
well-furnished botanical centres, to do your share of
conscientious work and to support right doctrines. So
I may proceed to say that, upon the recognized princi-
ples since the adoption of the Candollian code, your
name of Conioselinum bipinnatum, even if founded
in fact, would be inadmissible and superfluous. By
a corollary of the rule that priority of publication
fixes the name, taken along with the fact a plant-name
is of two parts, generic and specific, it follows that in
any case, Conioselinum Canadense is the prior name
for those who hold to the genus Conioselinum. I
have laid down what I take to be the correct view as
to this, in my " Structural Botany," paragraph 794,
where it is supported by the high authority of Ben-
tham. I believe it is more and more acceded to by
the most competent judges. There are those who
make transpositions of divorced halves of plants
name, and who, also make the law of priority mechan-
ically override other equally valid laws, without re-
gard to sense. To such the old law maxim of the
elder De Candolle was applied ; summumjus, summa
injuria. If you like to adopt their ideas, you have at

^T. 77.] TO DR. BRITTON. 815

hand a still older, the very oldest, name, namely, Co-
nioselinum Chinense, for I can certify that the plant
we are concerned with is Athamantha Chinensis of
Linnaeus. Very truly yours,

ASA GRAY.

The next morning he seemed bright and well, but
on going down to breakfast there came a slight shock
in the right arm, which seemed, however, to pass off
after he had rested. He managed to put up, for two
friends in England, copies of his " Review of the Life
of Darwin," in the " Nation," penciling the address
so that it could be read. But a more severe shock
returned in the early afternoon, and for a few mo-
ments a loss of articulation. That disappeared and
the physician looked hopefully at the case, though
recommending extreme quiet for mind and body. By
Wednesday evening he seemed greatly improved, but
the next morning the power of connected speech had
gone. He could repeat words spoken to him, and
could sometimes, apparently with long striving, con-
nect the wish and the words, but for the inost part
he had lost the power of using the word he wanted,
and could only express himself with signs, and his
" eloquent left hand ; " for the paralysis gradually in-
creased until the whole right side was helpless. He
lingered patiently in much weakness and at times
suffering, until the 30th of January, 1888, when he
gradually sank and quietly passed away at half-past
seven in the evening.

Dr. Gray was buried in Mount Auburn, February
2, where a simple stone, bearing a cross, marks his
grave, with his name and the dates 1810—1888.

APPENDIX.

A. DR. GRAY'S WILL.

DR. GRAY in his will left to the herbarium the proceeds
of all his copyrights. His strong belief in the importance
of a large and well-kept herbarium, as an establishment
indispensable not only to the development of botanical
studies at Harvard but also to the diffusion throughout the
whole country of a knowledge of its flora, is shown by this
bequest, and also by the active efforts he was constantly
making in its behalf during his life and by the personal
sacrifices to which he cheerfully submitted, that the herba-
rium might profit. Some of the difficulties in the develop-
ment of his cherished project will already have suggested
themselves to the reader of these pages. Others may be
touched upon briefly here.

The reputation of Dr. Gray at home and abroad natu-
rally served to draw to the herbarium large numbers of
specimens, and the number was increased by the purchases
which he contrived to make from time to time, either from
his own scanty means, or from the occasional gifts of friends.
The storing of his large and valuable collections in the small
house in the garden where he lived was attended by so
much danger of destruction by fire that he offered to present
the collection to Harvard University, if a suitable building
for its reception were provided ; and, greatly to his relief,
his herbarium was transferred in 1864 to the new fire-proof
building, for whose construction twelve thousand dollars
were given by his liberal friend, Mr. Nathaniel Thayer.

If Dr. Gray was able during his life to secure a building
which at the time of its completion seemed ample for its
purpose, he was less fortunate in his efforts to obtain a

APPENDIX. 817

permanent fund for the maintenance of the collection. In
1864, the sum of $10,000 - $12,000 was raised by friends
for its support ; but the interest of all the available funds
was far short of what was necessary for the proper payment
of a curator, for necessary purchases of plants and books
and for running expenses. In fact, during his lifetime, run-
ning expenses could not have been met had it not been for
occasional gifts from friends of the herbarium, including,
for several years, a grant from the Massachusetts Society for
the Promotion of Agriculture. The bequest in his will was
an attempt on his part to replace, as far as he was able, the
sums obtained by him annually from various sources during
his life. But even with the amount derived from the copy-
rights, which must, of necessity, diminish in future years,
the endowments of the herbarium are by no means sufficient
to provide for its maintenance, even on the present scale.
At the time of the transfer in 1864, the herbarium contained
at least two hundred thousand specimens, and the library
between two and three thousand works. Both have in-
creased largely since that date.

818 APPENDIX.

B. A PARTIAL LIST OF THE WRITINGS OF
ASA GRAY.

1. TEXT-BOOKS AND INDEPENDENT VOLUMES.

1836. Elements of Botany. New York.

1838-1843. Flora of North America, Torrey and Gray. Vol. I.

1838-1840 ; vol. II. 1841-1843.
1842. Botanical Text-Book. New York. Subsequent editions

were as follows : Second, 1845 ; third, 1850 ; fourth, 1853 ;

fifth (Introduction to Structural and Systematic Botany), 1857;

second issue, 1860 ; sixth, part 1 (Structural Botany or Organ-

ography on the basis of Morphology), 1879.
1848. Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States.

Subsequent editions were as follows : Second, 1856 ; third,

1859 ; fourth, 1863 ; fifth, 1867 ; second issue, 1868, -4 pp.

added.
1848-1849. Genera Florae Americas Boreali - Orientalis Illu-

strata, I. 1848 ; II. 1849. New York.
1854. United States Exploring Expedition, Botany. Part I.

Philadelphia.

1857. First Lessons in Botany and Vegetable Physiology. New
York. Revised August, 1868.

1858. How Plants grow, with a popular Flora. New York.
1868. Field, Forest, and Garden Botany. Second edition, 1870.
1872. How Plants behave. New York.

1876. Darwiniana : Essays and Reviews pertaining to Darwin-
ism. New York. Collected from the Atlantic, The Nation,
Am. Jour. Sci., Am. Sci. Assoc., Nature, N. Y. Tribune.

1878-1886. Synoptical Flora of North America. Vol. H. part 1,
1878. Second edition, 1886. Cambridge. Vol. I. part 2,
1886. Washington.

1880. Natural Science and Religion, Two Lectures. New
York.

1887. Elements of Botany. New York.

1889. Scientific Papers of Asa Gray, selected by Charles
Sprague Sargent ; in two volumes. I. Reviews of Works on
Botany and related subjects, 1834-1887. II. Essays, Bio-
graphical Sketches, 1841-1886. Boston.

APPENDIX. 819

2. CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLICATIONS OF SOCIETIES.

Annals of the New York Lyceum —
1835. A monograph of the North American species of Rhyncho-

spora. in. 191-238 (reprint, 191-236).
1837. Melanthacearum Americas Septentrionalis Revisio. IV.

105-140.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences —
1846. Chloris Boreali-Americana. Illustrations of new, rare,

or otherwise interesting North American plants. Decade I.

III. 1-56, pi. 1-10.

1849. Plantse Fendlerianse Novi-Mexicanse. IV. 1-116.
1854. Plantse Nova? Thurberianss. N. s., V. 297-328.
1859. Diagnostic characters of new species of phaenogamous

plants, collected in Japan by Charles Wright, botanist of the

United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition. With

observations upon the relations of the Japanese Flora to that

of North America, and of other parts of the Northern Tem-
perate Zone. VI. 377-452.
1859. On the genus Croomia, with plate. VI. 453-457.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences —
1846. Characters of some new genera or species of Composite

from Texas. I. 46-50.
1853. Characters of some new genera of plants, mostly from

Polynesia. III. 48-54, 127-129.
1857. On the age of a large Californian coniferous tree. III.

94r-97.
1861. Characters of some Compositas in the collection of the

United States South Pacific Exploring Expedition. V. 114-

146.
1861. Enumeration of a collection of dried plants made by

L. J. Xantus in Lower California. V. 153-173.
1861. Characters of new or obscure species of plants of Mono-

petalous orders in the collection of the United States Pacific

Exploring Expedition. V. 321-352 ; VI. 37-55.

1864. A revision and arrangement (mainly by the fruit) of the
North American species of Astragalus and Oxytropis. VI.
188-236.

1865. Characters of some new plants of California and Nevada,
from the collections of Prof. William H. Brewer and Dr.
Charles L. Anderson. VI. 519-556.

820 APPENDIX.

1870. A revision of the Eriogonese (with J. Toirey). VIII.

145-200.
1870. Reconstruction of the order Diapensiacese ; revision of

the North American Polemoniaceas ; miscellaneous botanical

notes and characters. VIII. 243-296.

1872. Notes on Labiatse ; determinations of a collection of
plants made in Oregon by Elihu Hall. VIII. 365-412.

1873. Characters of new genera and species of plants. VIII.
620-631.

1873. Notes on Compositse and characters of certain genera
and species, etc. VIII. 631-661.

1874. Notes on Compositse and characters of certain genera
and species. IX. 187-218.

1874. A synopsis of the North American Thistles ; notes on
Borraginacese ; synopsis of North American species of Phy-
salis ; characters of various new species. X. 39-78.

1875. A conspectus of the North American Hydrophyllacese.
X. 312-332.

1876. Characters of Canbya (n. gen.) and Arctomecon ; char-
acters of new species. With two plates. XII. 51-84.

1879. Characters of some new species of Compositse from
Mexico ; some new North American genera, species, etc.
XV. 25-52.

1880. Notes on some Compositse ; some species of Asclepias ;
a new genus of Gentianacese ; miscellanea of the North
American flora. XVI. 78-108.

1882. Studies of Aster and Solidago in the older Herbaria ;
Novitise Arizonicse, etc. XVII. 163-230.

1883. Characters of new Compositse with revisions of 'Certain
genera and critical notes ; miscellaneous genera and species.
XIX. 1-96.

1885. A revision of some Borragineous genera ; notes on some
American species of Utricularia ; new genera of Arizona,
California, and their Mexican borders, and two additional
species of Asclepiadacese ; Gamopetalse Miscellaneae. XX.
257-310.

1886. A revision of the North American Ranunculi ; Sertum
Chihuahuense ; Miscellanea. XXI. 363-413.

1887. Revision of some Polypetalous genera and orders pre-
cursory to the Flora of North America ; Sertum Chihua-
huense ; Appendix ; Miscellanea. XXII. 270-314.

APPENDIX. 821

1888. Notes upon some Polypetalous genera and orders.

XXIII. 223-227.

Smithsonian Contributions —
1852-1853. Plantse Wrightianse Texano — Neo - Mexicanse.

Part I. iii. 1-146 ; Part II. v. 1-119.

Journal of the Boston Society of Natural History —
1844. Characters of some new genera and species of plants of

the natural order Compositse from the Rocky Mountains and

Upper California, with plate. V. 104-111.
1845-1850. Plantae Lindheimerianse. By George Engelmann

and Asa Gray. V. 210-264 ; VI. 141-233.

Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences —

1862. Plants from Texas by S. B. Buckley. 161-168 ; 332-
337.

1863. Plants collected by Hall & Harbour and C. C. Parry.
55-80.

1863. Synopsis of the species Hosackia. 346-352.
1879. On the genus Garberia. 379-380.

1884. On the movement of the Andro3cium in Sunflowers. 287-
288.

3. PAPERS IN REPORTS OF UNITED STATES SURVEYS.

1855. Report on collections made by Capt. Gunnison in 1853,
and by Lieut. Beckwith in 1854. Pacific R. R. Surveys, H.
115-132, with ten plates.

1855. Report on the Expedition [under Capt. John Pope], By
John Torrey and Asa Gray. Pacific R. R. Surveys, IE. 157-
178, with ten plates.

1857. List of plants collected in Japan by S. W. Williams and
Dr. J. Morrow in the Expedition to the China Seas and Japan
under Commodore M. C. Perry. II. 303-329.

1857. Report of the Expedition [under Lieut. A. W. Whipple].
By John Torrey. (The Composite, Plantaginaceae, Oroban-
chacese, Scrophulariacese, and Bignoniaceae, by A. Gray). Pa-
cific R. R. Surveys, IV. 95-115, 117-122, with eight plates.

1857. Catalogue of the plants collected on the Expedition under
Lieut. Williamson and Lieut. Abbot. Pacific R. R. Surveys,
VI. 72-76-87, with six plates.

822 APPENDIX.

1859. Report of the United States and Mexican Boundary
Survey made by W. H. Emory. Pp. 34, 73-107, 110-121,
164, 172-175, with five plates.

1860. Catalogue of plants collected East of the Rocky Moun-
tains. Pacific R. R. Surveys, XII. part 2, 40-49, with three
plates.

1860. Report upon the Colorado River of the West, explored
in 1857 and 1858 by Lieut. Joseph C. Ives. Part IV. Botany;
orders preceding Verbenacese, excepting Cactacese, pp. 1-20.

1880. Botany of the Black Hills of Dacota. Report of H.
Newton and W. P. Jenney. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey,
Rocky Mountain region, 529-537.

1881. The vegetation of the Rocky Mountain region and a
comparison with that of other parts of the world. By A.
Gray and J. D. Hooker. Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Sur-
vey of the Territories, VI. 1-77.

4. CONTRIBUTIONS TO PERIODICALS.

North American Review —

1844. The Longevity of Trees. July. 189-238.

1845. The Chemistry of Vegetation. January. 3-42.

1846. Scientific results of the Exploring Expedition. July.
211-226.

American Journal of Science —
1834. A sketch of the Mineralogy of a portion of Jefferson

and St. Lawrence Counties (N. Y.), by Drs. J. B. Crawe of

Watertown and A. Gray of Utica (N. Y.). XXV. 346-

350.
1837. Review of Lindley's Natural System of Botany. •XXXII.

292-303.
1840. Review of De Candolle's Prodromus. XXXIX. 168.

1840. Siebold's Flora of Japan. XXXIX. 175.

1841. Notices of European Herbaria, particularly those most
interesting to the North American Botanist. XL. 1-18.
Notice of the Botanical Writings of C. S. Rafinesque. XL.
221-241.

1842. Notes of a botanical excursion to the mountains of
North Carolina, etc., with some remarks on the Botany of
the higher Alleghany Mountains. XLIL 1-49.

APPENDIX. 823

1846. Analogy between the Flora of Japan and that of the

United States. II. ii. 135-136.
1849. Notice of Dr. Hooker's Flora Antarctica. II. viii.

161-180.

1853. On some new genera and species of Nyctaginacese. II.
xv. 259-263 ; 319-324.

1854. Introductory Essay, in Dr. Hooker's Flora of New Zea-
land, vol. I. II. xvii. 241-252 ; 334-350.

1854. On the age of the large tree recently felled in Cali-
fornia. II. xvii. 440-443.

1855. The Smithsonian Institution. II. xx. 1-21.

1856. Statistics of the Flora of the Northern United States.
II. xxii., 204-232 ; xxiii. 62-84 ; 369-403.

1856. De Candolle's Geographic Botanique Raisonnde. II.
xxii. 429.

1859. Obituary Notice of Brown and Humboidt. II. xxviii.
161-165.

1860. Review of Darwin's Theory on the Origin of Species
by means of Natural Selection. II. xxix. 153-184 ; Darwin-
iana, pp. 9-61.

1860. Design versus Necessity. II. xxx. 226-239 ; Darwin-

iana, pp. 62-S6.
1862. Enumeration of Rocky Mountain Plants. II. xxxiii.

237-243 ; 404-411 ; II. xxxv. 249-253 ; 335-341.

1862. Hooker's Outlines of the Distribution of Arctic Plants,
etc. II. xxxiv. 144.

1863. Review of De Candolle's "Species as to Variation,
Geographical Distribution and Succession." II. xxxv. 431 ;
Darwiniana, pp. 178-204.

1864. On Scientific Nomenclature. II. xxxvii. 278-281.

1865. Darwin's Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants.
II. xl. 273 ; xli. 125.

1868. Remarks on the Laws of Botanical Nomenclature. II.
xlvi. 74-77.

1872. Sequoia and its history ; the relations of North Ameri-
can to Northeast Asian and to Tertiary Vegetation. III. iv.
282-298 ; (Darwiniana, pp. 205-235 ; also, Proc. American
Association for the Advancement of Science, with Corrections
and Appendix. XXI. 1-31).

824 APPENDIX.

1875. Do Varieties wear out or tend to wear out ? III. ix.
109-114.

1875. Bentham on the Recent Progress and Present State of
Systematic Botany. III. ix. 288-294 ; 346-355.

1875. Estivation and its Terminology. III. x. 339-344.

1877. Notice of Darwin on the " Effects of Cross and Self Fer-
tilization in the Vegetable Kingdom." III. xiii. 125-141.

1877. Notes on the History of Helianthus tuberosus. III.
xiii. 347-352 ; xiv. 428-429.

1878. Forest Geography and Archaeology. III. xvi. 85-94 ;
183-196.

1878. De Candolle's New Monographs. III. xvi. 325 ; xxxiv.,
490.

1878. Shortia galacifolia rediscovered. III. xvi. 483-485.

1879. Pertinacity and Predominance of Weeds. III. xviii.
161-167.

1880. De Candolle's Phytography. III. xx. 150, 241.

1881. C. Darwin and F. Darwin, "Power of Movement in
Plants." III. xxi. 245.

1882. Remarks concerning the flora of North America. III.
xxiv. 321-331.

1883. Review of De Candolle's Origin of Cultivated Plants.
III. xxv. 241-255 ; 370-379 ; xxvi. 128-138.

1883. Points in Botanical Nomenclature ; a review of De
Candolle's " Nouvelles Remarques sur la Nomenclature Bota-
nique." III. xxvi. 417-437.

1884. Gender of Names of Varieties. III. xxvii. 396-398.
1884. Characteristics of the North American flora. III.

xxviii. 323-340.

NOTE. During the fifty and more years Dr. Gray was a con-
tributor to the "American Journal of Science," in addition to
the foregoing articles, he printed in its pages 380 communica-
tions, devoted chiefly to critical reviews of works on botany and
kindred subjects, and to biographical sketches of botanists. In
1888 appeared, as an appendix to Volume XXXVI., a list of
42 pages of the writings of Asa Gray, chronologically arranged.
This list, with an index, has been issued in separate form.
In addition to the above, Dr. Gray contributed to the " Na-
tion " from 1868 to November, 1887 ; and many articles to
the following journals and magazines : The New York Semi-

APPENDIX. 825

Weekly Tribune ; The American Agriculturist ; Hooker's Jour-
nal of Botany ; The London Journal of Botany ; Journal of
the Linnsean Society ; Gardener's Chronicle ; American Nat-
uralist ; Science ; The New York Independent ; The Botanical
Gazette ; The Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club ; The
American Florist ; The Examiner ; The New Englander ; The
Atlantic ; The Literary World ; The Contemporary Review ;
The Andover Review ; The Harvard College Literary Bulletin.
One publication, and that the earliest, cannot be included in
any of the above divisions. It was entitled "A Catalogue of
the indigenous Flowering and Filicoid Plants growing within 20
miles of Bridgewater, Oneida Co., New York." It is signed
A. Gray, M. D., January 1, 1833, and constitutes pp. 57-65 of
(N. Y.) Senate Document, No. 70.

C. DEGREES CONFERRED ON ASA GRAY.

1831. College of Medicine and Surgery, Fairneld, N. Y. M. D.

1844. Harvard College. M. A.

1860. Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y. LL. D.

1875. Harvard University. LL. D.

1884. McGill College, Montreal, Canada. LL. D.

1887. University of Michigan. LL. D.

1887. Cambridge University, England. D. S.

1887. University of Oxford, England. D. C. L.

1887. University of Edinburgh, Scotland. LL. D.

D. SOCIETIES OF WHICH DR. GRAY WAS A
MEMBER.

1835. Csesarea Leopoldino-Carolinse Academise Naturae Curi-
osorum Vratislaviensis, Breslau. Mem.

1836. Die Konigliche Botanische Gesellschaft in Regensburg.
Mem.

1836. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Corresp.
Mem.

1837. Boston Society of Natural History. Corresp. Mem. and
Hon. Mem.

1841. American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Fellow.

826 APPENDIX.

1846. Acad. Literarum et Scientiarum Regia Boica, Munich.
Hon. and Corresp. Mem.

1847. Massachusetts Hort. Society. Corresp. Mem.

1847. Essex Co. Massachusetts Natural Hist. Soc. Corresp.
Mem.

1848. Regia Scientiarum Societas, Upsal. Mem.

1848. Am. Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Mem.

1849. Die Pollichia, Ein Naturwissenehaftliche Verein der
Bayerischen Pfalz. Mem.

1849. Senkenbergische Naturf orschende Gesellschaf t zu Frank-
fort-am-Main. Mem.

1850. Linnsean Soc. of London. Foreign Mem.

1850. Socie'te' de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de Geneve.
Hon. Mem.

1851. Vereeniging voor de Flora van Nederland. Corresp.
Mem.

1852. British Assoc. for the Advancement of Science. Corresp.
Mem.

1852. Lyceum of Natural History, New York. Hon. Mem.

1852. Der Naturwissenschaftliche Verein in Hamburg. Hon.
Mem.

1853. Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Hon. Mem.

1853. Polk Co. Agricultural Society, Iowa. Mem.

1854. Kaiserlich Konigliche Geologische Reichsanstalt, Vienna.
Corresp. Mem.

1854. Socie'te' Impe'riale des Sciences Naturelles de Cherbourg.
Corresp. Mem.

1855. Regia Scientiarum Academia Borussica. Corresp.
Mem.

1857. California Academy of Natural Sciences. Hon. Mem.

1857. Socie'te de Botanique de Leyden. Corresp. Mem.

1858. Dublin University Zoological and Botanical Association.
Corresp. Mem.

1858. Historical Society of Tennessee. Hon. Mem.

1859. Regia Scientiarum Academia Sverica, Stockholm. For-
eign Mem.

1859. Imperial Society of Botany, Moscow. Mem.

1859. Russian Society of Horticulture, St. Petersburg. Mem.

1860. Cleaveland Natural History Soc. of Bowdoin College
(Maine). Hon. Mem.

APPENDIX. 827

1861. Botanical Society of Canada. Hon. Mem.

1862. Imperial Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg. Corresp.
Mem.

1863. Natural History Society of Dublin (union with Dublin
University Nat. Sci. Association). Corresp. Mem.

1863. National Academy of Sciences of the United States.
Mem.

1865. K. K. Zoologisch-Botanische Gesellschaf t in Wien. Mem.

1866. Am. Microscopical Society of the City of New York.
Hon. Mem.

1866. Royal Botanical Society of Edinburgh. Hon. Fellow.

1867. National Academy of Sciences of the United States.
Hon. Mem.

1867. Buffalo Historical Society. Corresp. Mem.

1868. Die Konigliche Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu
Gottingen. Corresp. Mem.

1868. Socie'te' Impe'riale Acaddmique de Cherbourg. Corresp.

Mem.

1871. Indianapolis Academy of Sciences. Hon. Mem.
1873. Minnesota Academy of Natural Sciences, Minneapolis.

Hon. Mem.
1873. The Royal Society, London. Foreign Mem.

1875. Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. Hon. Mem.

1876. Worcester Co. Horticultural Society. Hon. Mem.

1877. Socie'te' Royale de Botanique de Belgique. Assoc. Mem.

1877. Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences, Iowa. Hon.
Mem.

1878. Institut de France, Acade'mie des Sciences. Corresp.
Mem.

1879. Royal Society of Edinburgh. Mem.

1880. The Cambridge (England) Philosophical Society. Hon.
Mem.

1884. Der Botanische Verein der Provinz Brandenbourg. Hon.
Mem.

1884. Die Deutsche Botanische Gesellschaft, Berlin. Hon.
Mem.

1885. The Philosophical Society of Glasgow. Hon. Mem.
1885. Natural History Society of Montreal. Hon. Mem.
1885. New Zealand Institute. Hon. Mem.

1885. Royal Horticultural Society, London. Hon. Mem.

828 APPENDIX.

1886. Northwestern Literary and Historical Society, Sioux City.

Hon. Mem.

1886. American Society of Naturalists. Hon. Mem.
1886. Oneida Co. Horticultural Society at Utica, N. Y.

Corresp. Mem.
1886. Asa Gray Botanical Club, Utica, N. Y. Mem.

1886. Torrey Botanical Club, Columbia College, New York.
Hon. Mem.

1887. La Socie'te' Botanique de Copenhague. Hon. Mem.
1887. Manchester (England) Literary and Philosophical So-
ciety. Hon. Mem.

1887. The Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. Hon. Mem.

INDEX.

ABERCROMBIE, John, 103.

Abert, 356.

Abies, 672.

Abolition, 296.

Accident, Railroad, 690.

Accidents, 377, 737.

Acland, Sir Henry, 722, 737, 803.

Acland, Sir Thomas, 806.

Aconitum reclinatum, 689.

Acrolasia, 223.

Acton, Lord, 802.

Adams, C. F., 636, 641, 733.

Adelsburg, F@te at Grotto of, 212, 213. '

Agassiz, L., 179, 343-346, 349, 410, 432,
450, 455.

Agassiz, A., 719, 747, 600.

Agriculture, Mass. Society for Promo-
tion of, 817.

Albro, J. A., 296, 328, 395.

Alleghanies, Botany of Southern, 280.

Allen, A. V. G., 779, 789.

Alpine Plants, 229 ; what they are, 783.

Alvord, Col. and Mrs., 769, 770.

American Academy, 286, 397, 405, 700 ;
corresponding secretary of, 355 ; presi-
dent, 641.

American Association, 698, 735, 756;
president, 619, 628.

"American Journal of Science," 19, 32.

Amici, G. B., 200, 201.

Ancestry, 1, 2, 3.

Andersson, J. N., 545.

Anemone Hudsonica, 46.

Ann Arbor, 79, 80.

Antarctic Expedition, 130, 162.

Anthephora, 451, 453.

" Antiquity of Man, The," 503, 504.

Architecture, 806.

Arenaria brevifolia, 652.

Argyle, 501.

Arnold, Matthew, 747, 748.

Arnott, G. A. W., 22, 96, 129, 130.

Arthur, J. C.,755.

Arthur, J. C., and others, letter to, 777.

Assassination of Lincoln, 534.

Asters, 279, 696, 697, 699, 701, 713-716,
726, 792.

AstUbe, 428.

Audubon, 790.

Austin, C. F., 555.

Autobiography, 1.

Avery, C., 9, 10, 18.
Avery, E., 7, 8, 9.
Azalea, 315.

Babington, C., 713.

Backhouse, 722.

Bacon, 743, 748, 749.

Bailey, J. W., 68, 128. 129.

Bailey, W. W., 682.

Baird, S. F., 343, 811.

Baker, 592, 702.

Balfour, Arthur J., 693.

Balfour, I. Bayley, 702, 803.

Balfour, J. H., 22, 101.

Ball, J., 713, 744, 753, 757, 784, 785,

788.

Banks' herbarium, 148.
Barber, 770.
Barbey, 720.

Bartlett's School, 16, 18, 19, 29, 37, 49.
Bateman, 131.
Bates, 507.

Bauer, F., 22, 116, 128, 129.
Beaumont, J. F., 392, 39%.
Beck, L. C., 15, 16,39,40.
Beck's Flora, 39.
Bell, Sir C., 102, 131.
Bennett, J. J., 22, 110, 137, 371, 592,596,

646.
Bentham, George, references to, 22, 114,

123, 126, 128, 132, 143, 152, 376, 378,

418, 427, 486, 547, 559, 566, 592, 611,

685, 702, 712, 720, 733, 741, 743, 758,

759, 760, 797, 814.
Letters to, 267, 365, 382, 427,

434, 437, 447, 547, 552, 559, 600, 691,

741, 745.

Bentham, Lady, 187, 188.
Bequest, 816.

Berlandier, J. L., 173 ; plants of, 415.
Berlin, Royal Herbarium. 268.
Berlin Botanic Garden, 269.
Bernard de Jussieu, 177.
Beverly Farms, 739.
Biasoletto, 25, 209.
Bidwell, J., 771.
Big Trees, 412.

Bigelow, Jacob, 284, 288, 558, 685.
Bignonia capreolata (Tendrils), 548.
Birth, 3-5.
Birth-day, 70th, 710; 75th, 776.

830

INDEX.

Blachford, Lord, 654, 664, 665, 693, 749,

806.

Blume, C. L. , 376.
Boat-race, International. 591, 594.
Boissier, E., 24, 26, 167, 374, 375, 418,

589, 680, 720, 781.
Bolander's collection, 559.
Bonafous, 493.
Bond, G., 500.

Boott, F., M. D., 22, 91,110, 123, 132, 149,
370,473,478,511,522.

Carices, 91, 171.

Bornet, 644.

Botanic Garden, Cambridge, 28, 29C,
291, 297, 298, 304, 325, 326, 357, 445.

Antibes, 569, 572.

Chiswick, 116, 270.

Edinburgh, 101, 105.

Geneva, 270.

Ghent, 372.

Glasgow, 89.

Hamburg, 269.

Jardin des Plantes, 23, 24, 157, 158,
381.

Kew, 116, 371, 377, 384.

Leyden, 376.

Liverpool, 88.

Madrid, 701.

Medical Botanic Garden, Paris,
24.

Missouri, 752, 753, 761.

Montpellier, 186, 187.

Munich, 233, 240.

Oxford, 379.

Padua, 204, 718.

Poppelsdorf, 373.

Regent's Park, 121.

Schonberg, 269.

Schonbrunn, 218.

Tharand Forst-Academie, 589.

Valencia, 707.

Vienna. 215, 795.
"Botanical Text-Book," 28, 368.
Botany, dawning of taste for, 14.
Botany, Geographical. See Geographi-
cal Botany.
Botanical Society, Royal, of Regensburg.

56.

Botteri, M., 764.
Bourier, 700.
Bowen, F., 561.
Bowerbank, J. S., 137, 138.
Brace, C. L., letters to, 458, 460, 461,

462 ; references to, 371, 624.
Brace, J. P., 348.
Brackenridge's Filices, 404, 423.
Braudegee, T. S., 671, 672.
Braun, A., 374, 383.
Breeding, cross. See Fertilization.
Brewer, W. H., 532, 636.
Brewster, Sir David, 104.
Brigham, C., 769.
British Association, 387, 592, 722, 756,

759, 791, 807.
British Museum, 22, 110, 132, 146, 153,

379, 387, 592.
Britton, N. L., letter to, 813.

Brongniart, A. T., 23, 174, 382, 418, 611.

Brooks, Phillips, 805.

Brougham, Lord, 165.

Brown, R., 22, 110, 112, 115, 120, 124,
128, 132, 141,151, 175, 371,376,378,
387, 418, 442, 443, 449, 451, 468, 498.

Browne, W., 731, 756.

Browning, 713.

Bryce, 804.

Buckle, 613.

Buckley, S. B., 311.

Bunbury, 788.

Buonaparte, C., 179.

Burgess, E,, 668.

Bury, Lady Charlotte, 120, 121, 137.

Butler, B. F., 746, 748.

Cairnes, 491.

California, journey to, 627, 670, 761.
Calluna vulgaris, 468.
Cambridge, Mass., appointment at, 27.
call to, 283-286.
removal to, 287.
Cambridge University, England, degree

at, 800.
Canby, W. M., Letters to, 556, 641, 648,

651, 682, 687, 779 ; references to, 557,

633, 686.
Canby and Redfield, letters to, 712,

723.

Canterbury, Archbishop of, 804.
Carex, Boott's collection of, 91, 92.
Carey, John, 20, 26, 33, 322, 354, 407,

697.

Carlyle, 742.
Carpenter, 740.
Carruthers, W., 592.
Caruel, T., 607.
Catesby, plants of, 146.
Cathedrals, 806.
Cats, 436.
Cavendish, 451.

Censorship of the press (Vienna), 216.
" Ceratophyllaceae, Remarks on," 20.
Ceratophyllum, 691.
Cereus giganteus, 408.
Chalmers, 102.
Channing, E. T., 27.
Chapman, A. W., 540, 545, 650.
Chapmannia, 147.
" Characteristics of the North American

Flora," 756.
Chevreuil, 797.
Chiswick Gardens, 116.
Christison, Sir R., 104.
Christy, W., 119
Church, R. W., letters to, 394, 403, 429,

444, 463, 518, 523, 533, 543, 560, 563,

570, 591, 595, 597, 601, 608, 612, 617,

628, 653, 662, 664, 678, 693, 697,

703, 724, 734, 743, 747 ; references to,

379, 394, 565, 594, 804.

Letter from, to Mrs. Gray, 750.

Cinchona offlcinalis, 551.
Claytonia Virginica, 14.
Clayville, 4.
Cleveland, Ohio, 71.

INDEX.

831

Clift, W., 112.

Climbing plants, 537, 539, 548, 549.

Clinton, Grammar School, 7, 8.

Clinton, G. W., 546.

Clive, Mrs. Archer, 376.

Clough, A. H., 394, 395, 3%.

Cobbe, Miss F. P., 638.

Cogniaux, 669.

Cohn, 676.

Colenso, 491.

Coleridge, Lord, 748, 754.

Collectors, 272, 341. See, also, Ber-
landier, Bolander, Buckley, Coulter,
Crawe, Diell, Douglas, Drummond,
Eschscholtz, Fendler, Fremont ,Geyer,
Goldie, Gregg, Hugel, Kneiskern,
Lindheimer, Michaux, Nuttall, Palm-
er, Parry, Pringle, Pursh, Rugel, Sart-
well, Thurber, Wislizenus, Wright.

College of Surgeons, 117.

Collinson, Peter. 370.

Commonwealth (Vegetable), 496.

Compass plant, 400, 401.

Composite, 26, 27.

Congdon, J. W., 682.

Congreve, R., 379.

Conifer*, 674, 675.

Constable, J., 26.

Cooke, J. P., 527.

Cooper, Sir Astley, 113, 119.

Cooper, Bransby, 113.

Cooper, Elwood, Cal., 768.

Cope, 624.

Copyrights, 816.

Corda, A. C. J., 130, 221.

Corema, 775, 776.

Cosson, E., 611, 709, 713, 715.

Coulter's collection, 328.

Coulter, T., 784, 785.

Cowles, 689.

Crevve, J. B., 18, 19, 32, 43.

Creighton, 789.

Cross Fertilization. See Fertilization.

Curtis, M. A., 652.

Cusick, W.,726.

" Cyperaceae, North American Graminese
and," 19, 45, 46.

" Cyperaceae of North America," 60.

Cypress knees, 416, 421.

Cypresses of Chapultepec, 763.

Dale, T., 141.

Dalton, 808.

Dana, J. D., letters to, 424, 430, 521,
626, 785 ; references to, 337, 338, 430,
459.

Dana, R. H., Sr., 296.

Darbya, 686, 687.

Darlington, William, 370, 423, 499, 500.

Darlingtonia, 648, 649.

Darwin, Charles, letters to, 456, 472,
484, 496, 501, 522, 536, 548, 553, 561,
599, 615, 623, 631, 645, 664, 668, 676 ;
references to, 117, 380, 447, 454, 455,
459, 463, 498, 509, 528, 550, 559, 565,
566, 594, 626, 642, 695, 714, 722, 732,
734,751,815.

Letter to Asa Gray, 557.

" Darwin, Charles, Life of," by A. Gray,
646.

Darwin, Mrs., 800.

Darwin, George, 507, 759.

" Darwiuiana," 655, 656, 662.

Darwinism. See Evolution.

Daubeny, C., 332, 379.

Dawson, Sir William, 734, 740.

Death, 815.

De Bary, 807.

Decaisne, J., 23, 157, 161, 162, 168, 174,
381, 382, 611, 683, 687, 709, 712, 721,
733, 734.

De Candolle, Auguste Pyramus, 26, 47,
267, 281, 332, 374, 498 ; bust of, 727.

De Candolle, Alphonse, letters to, 232,
276, 377, 380, 396, 409, 413, 419, 426,
451, 481, 497, 519, 526, 552, 566, 587,
592, 606, 624, 635, 639, 642, 669, 680,
684, 692, 694, 699, 702, 712, 714, 717,
727, 373, 783, 793 ; references to, 26,
267, 375, 448, 702, 712, 718, 719, 720,
724, 746, 781, 785, 796.

De Candolle, Casimir, 451, 566, 719.

Degree, medical, 14.

Degrees at, Cambridge, England, 800;
Edinburgh, 806 ; Oxford, 801.

Delessert, Benjamin, 24, 166, 169, 171.

Delessert, Francois, 382.

Delessert Herbarium, 720.

Delile, A. R., 24, 186, 187.

De Morgan, 759.

Derby, Lord, 805.

" Descent of Man," Darwin, 615.

Desfontaines Herbarium, 23.

Desfontaines plants, 176.

Design in Nature, 485, 489, 498, 502, 508,
512, 638, 648, 656, 658, 659.

Detroit, 73.

Development Theory. See Evolution.

De Vriese, W. H., 376.

Dewey, Chester, 57.

Dextrorsum, 699.

Diamorpha pusilla, 652, 653.

Diell, 54, 58.

Dionoea, 556, 557, 561, 633, 642, 649.

Distribution of Plants. See Geograph-
ical Botany.

Dogs, 435, 436, 599, 676-678.

Don, David, 110, 137.

Douglas, David, 90, 92, 123, 279.

Douglass, Professor, 78.

Downing, Major Jack, 45.

Drake, Miss, 131.

Drosera rotundifolia, 510, 556, 557, 633,
641.

Drummond's Louisiana plants, 173, 279.

Duby, J. E., 263.

Ducie, Lord, 713, 810.

Duff-Gordon, Lady, 582.

Dutferin, Lord, 737.

Dunal, M. F.,24, 187.

Durham University, 109.

Dyer, W. Thisleton, 734, 762.

Early Undertakings, 29-84.

832

INDEX.

Eaton, Amos, 14, 40.

Eaton, D. C., letters to, 438, 470 ; re-
ceives Garber's plants, 702.

Eaton's Manual of Botany, 14, 40.

" Ecce Homo," 543.

Edinburgh, visit to (1839), 97-105.

Education, 5-8.

Education, Botany, in liberal, 325.

Egypt, 572-586; plants in, 575, 576;
medical practice in, 582.

Ehrenberg, C. G., 26, 269.

Eichler, A. W., 795.

" Elements of Botany," 20, 27, 32, 54.

"Elements of Botany," 1887, 792.

Eliot, S., 28.

Eliot, C. W., 526 ; letters to, 620, 634.

Ellimia, 171.

Elwes, H. J., 810.

Embryo of Pinus, 151.

Emerson, G. B., 288, 292.

Emory, 356.

Endlicher, S. L., 25, 210, 215, 795.

Engelmann, G., letters to, 281, 291, 297,
305, 312, 340, 351, 355, 360, 373, 383,
391, 399, 404, 417, 446, 452, 465, 471,
493, 514, 530, 545, 551, 558, 589, 670,
680, 686, 696, 715, 725 ; references to,
272, 663, 686, 729, 746, 753, 782.

Obituary notice, 753.

Herbarium, 753.

Engelmann, G., Jr., 772.

"Epistolae Linneano-Jussieuanae," 410.

Erie Canal opening, 9.

Eriogoneae, 600, 601.

Eschscholtz, 152.

" Essays and Reviews," 464.

Europe, journeys to : First, 21, 85, 271 ;
second, 369-388; third, 414-420;
fourth, 565-599 ; fifth, 701-724 ; sixth,
792-810.

European politics, 604, 606, 608.

Evolution, 424, 428, 430, 450, 455, 489,
497, 504, 508, 510, 528, 626, 637, 666, 695.

Evolution, Agassiz's views of, in 1847,
345.

Exhibition, London, 1851, 379, 384.

Exploring Expedition, U. S., 21, 61, 64,
66, 359, 366, 376, 398, 409, 484, 623.

North Pacific, 435.

Fairchild, 666, 667.

Fairfield Academy, 8.

Fairfield Medical College, 12, 29.

Faraday, 114.

Farlow, W. G., 617, 625, 640, 762,

765, 766, 770.

Farnsworth, Chancellor, 78.
Farrar, Canon, 780.
Father of Asa Gray, 2, 4, 5, 334.
Felton, C. C.,479.
Fendler, A., 341, 343, 351, 355, 360, 361,

426, 447, 515, 531, 540, 650.
Fendlera, 391.
Fenzl, E., 25, 218, 222, 795.
Ferns, 402.
Fertilization, 425, 484, 485, 493,505, 508,

509, 539, 664, 695.

Fink, 766.

First Book, 20, 32, 54.

First contribution to American Journal

of Science, 19, 32.
"First Lessons in Botany," 414, 418,

429, 444.

First Plant determined, 14.
Fischer, 74.
Fisher, G. P., 696.
Fisher Professorship, 27.
Flax spinning introduced, 5.
Flora, Beck's, 39.

Flora of California, 636, 641, 643, 694.
Flora or Fauna, objects of, 657.
Flower, Sir W. H., 595, 722, 754.
Folwell, N. W., 35.
Forbes, H. O., 780.
Forbes, James, 99, 103, 413.
Forestry, 276.
Forster, E., 134, 139, 143.
Fouquiera, 400, 401, 419.
Fox, Miss, 755.

Franco-German War, 606, 608, 609, 612.
Fraser, J., 134, 135.
Fraser, Bishop, 560, 602.
Freeman, 725.
Fremantle, 806.

Fremont Expedition, 294, 297, 327.
Fresenius, J. B. G. W., 373.
Froude, 742.
Fry, Sir E., Letters to, 729, 738, 746,

754, 779, 789, 810.

Galileo, 743.

Garber's Porto Rico Collection, 702.

Gar wood, Rev. Mr., 123.

Gaudichaud, 24, 158, 162, 383.

Gaura Lindheimeri, 313.

Gay, Jacques, 24, 159, 171, 381, 383,

418.
"Genera Illustrata," 340, 344, 347,

353, 355, 357, 361, 363.
Geographical Botany, 46, 276, 420, 424,

427, 434, 445, 447, 449, 775.
" Geographic Botanique," De Candolle,

A., 410, 419.
Geum triflorum, 46.
Geyer, C.,298.
Gilbert, J. H., 806.
Oilman, D. C., 695.
Gladstone, 444, 536, 563, 604, 736, 737,

743, 790, 804.
Gladstone, Miss, 804.
Glasgow, visit to (1839), 89-95.
Godet, C. H., 375, 592.
Goldie, J., 785.

Goodale, G. L., 635, 640, 728, 787.
Gould, A. A., 441.
Graham, Col., 390.
Graham, R., 22, 98, 100, 101, 105.
"Graminese and Cyperaceae, North

American," 19, 45, 46.
Granville, Lord, 804.
Grasses, Hooker's, 92.
Gray, Asa, Estimate of, by R. W.

Church, 750.
Gray, J. E., 112, 114, 596.

INDEX.

833

Gray, J. L., 358.
Gray, Miss A. A., letter to, 710.
Gray, Mrs. Asa, letters to, 349, 659.
Gray, Moses, 2, 4, 5, 334 ; letters to, 47,

49, 53, 61, 67, 83, 270, 313.
Gray, Mrs. (mother of Asa), letters to,

48, 84.

Gray, Family Reunion, 786.
Gray Herbarium, 287, 515, 519, 523, 525,

527, 529, 535, 816.
Grayia, 93, 629.
Gray's Peak, 627, 632.
Greene, B. D., 17, 27, 283, 288.
Greene, Copley, 17.
Gregg, Josiah, 356.

Greville, R., 22, 98, 101, 105, 106, 132.
Grisebach, H. R. A., 224, 383, 516, 532,

540, 541, 550.

Grisebach's manuscripts, 495.
Gronovian plants, 150.
Guillemin, 24.
Guiteau, Trial of, 730.
Guthrie, Rev. Dr., 102.
Guyot, A., 459, 463.

Hadley, J., Prof., 10, 12, 15, 18, 41, 42.

Hadley, Prof. J., Junior, 13.

Haenke's plants, 795.

Hakim-Pacha, 583.

Hamilton College, 10, 18, 42, 45.

Hanbury, 570, 571.

Harcourt, Colonel, 803.

Harkness, Dr., 769.

Harris, T. W., 398, 420.

Hartweg, T., 150.

Harvard Botanic Garden, 285, 290, 291,

299 ; House, 314, 327.
Harvard College, appointment, 27.
Harvard College, called to, 283-286.
Harvard College, quarter-millennial, 789.
Harvey, W. H., 363, 376, 547.
Hauer, 795.
Haughton, Prof., 736.
. Hayden, Dr., 669, 710.
Heer, O., 508, 521, 528.
Helianthus tuberosus, 398.
Henry, Joseph, 15, 30, 31, 78, 349, 403,

559, 623, 639, 681, 684.
Heuchera hispida and pubescens, 307.
Herbariums —

Bank's, 132, 148.

Boissier, Geneva, 374, 720.

British Museum, 110, 132, 146,
151, 387.

Cosson, 715.

De Candolle, 18, 267, 374, 718,
724.

Delessert, 720.

Desfontaines and Poiret, 23, 176.

Engelmaim, 753.

Fraser, 135, 136.

Gronovian, 150.

Humboldt, 173.

Jardin <Jes Plantes, Mus^e du,
172, 382, 709, 715, 799.

Joad, 752.

Jussieu, 23, 173, 175, 709.

Herbariums —

Kew, 377, 378, 565, 701, 791.

Kunth, 269.

Labilliardiere, 173.

Lagasca, 720.

Lamarck, 173, 716, 792.

Lambert, 111, 128.

Lehmann, 269.

Lindley, 715.

Linnaean, 22, 149, 150.

Madrid, 701, 720.

Mercier, 173.

Michaux, 23, 162, 164, 172, 178,

681.

Mill, 659.
Nuttall, 193, 697.
Oxford, 379.
Poiret, 173.
Pursh, 22, 111, 128, 136, 148, 152,

Pylaie, de la, 173.

Requien, 185.

Richard, 172, 173, 178.

Royal Herbarium, Berlin, at

Schonberg, 269.
Sims, 151.
Schultz, 715.
Short, 499.
Torrey, 641.
Ventenat, 178.
Vienna, 210, 214, 223, 795.
Walter, 130, 134, 136, 174.
Webb, 157, 173.
Willdenow, 268, 392, 709, 716.
Heterogeny, 505.
Heterogone, 664.
" Historicus," 506, 513.
Hodge, Prof. Charles, 646.
Hollister, Col., 768.
Holmes, 0. W., 694, 725.
Holton, I. F., 415, 421.
Home Rule, 790.

Hooker, W. J., letters to, 50, 57, 268,
273, 277, 282, 289, 298, 304, 306, 324,
334, 350, 357, 364, 367, 392, 401, 408,
411, 415, 421, 433, 440, 449, 498, 531 ;
references to, 21, 22, 33, 89-92, 103,
110, 130, 370, 378, 381, 418, 437, 442,
499, 541, 542.

work with (1838), 90, 92, 93.

Hooker, J. D., letters to, 317, 336, 455,
702, 707, 718, 728, 734, 742, 744, 751,
758, 781, 785, 790, 794, 811 ; references
to, 22, 92, 110, 115, 119, 123, 125, 130,
270, 307, 380, 413, 417, 442, 449, 468,
478, 489, 512, 520, 532, 541, 565, 566,
592, 666, 669, 670, 671, 675, 678, 679,
702, 712, 714, 717, 722, 723, 752, 792,
806, 810.

Hope, Prof., 99.

Homer, 613.

Horsfield, T., 119.

Houghton, 73, 76.

" How Plants Behave," 624.

" How Plants Grow," 438, 444.

Howard, Joseph, 3.

Rowland, J., letters to, 590, 593.

834

INDEX.

Hudsonia montana, 310.
Hiiet, 426.
Hiigel, Baron, 219.
Hughes, T., 608.
Humboldt's herbarium, 173.
Hunneman, J., 149.
Hunter, John, 117.
Huxley, T. H., 458, 504, 505.
Hyams, M. E., 681, 682, 683, 692.
Hyatt, A., 624t
Hybrids, 459.
Hybridism, 458.
Hyinenophyllum ciliatum, 392.

Iliad, Bryant's, 613.

Imaun, Joseph, 584.

Impatiens, 508.

Incas, 502.

Inheritance, 561.

Insectivorous plants, 510, 556, 557, 561,

633, 641, 645, 647, 649.
Irving, Washington, 808.

J. S. M., Letter to, 778.

Jacquin, Baron, 216, 217, 795.

James, Mrs. T. P., Letter to, 500.

James, T. P., 423.

Jameson, R., 100.

Japan Flora, 445, 447, 450, 452.

Japanese plants. 315.

Jardin des Plantes, 23, 24, 157, 161, 178,

381, 709, 715, 792.
Jellett, 802.
Jenyns, Soame, 321.
Joad Herbarium, 752.
Johnston, J. T. W., 108.
Journal of Mrs. Gray, 309, 380, 689.
Journal in Europe (1838-39), 85, 266.
Jussieu, Adrien de, 23, 157, 158, 177,366,

381, 382, 400, 402, 411, 500.
Jussieu's herbarium, 709.

Kennedy, G., 517.

Kew, 22, 116, 370, 383, 418, 542, 592, 701,

702, 710, 715, 720, 722, 724, 792, 810.
Kingsley, Charles, 667.
Klotzsch, J. H., 26, 268, 269.
Knieskern, P. D., 90, 135, 289, 293.
Kohinoor, 386.
Korner, 795.
Kunth, K. S., 26, 173, 269.

Laboratory, 614.

Lagasca, F., 146 ; his plants, 720.

Lamarck's Asters and Herbarium, 269,

709, 716, 792.
Lambert, A. B., 22, 111, 120, 128, 132,

137.

Langley, 812.
Lapham, I. A., 347, 401.
Lasegue, 24.
Lavallde, A., 713.
La Veta Pass, 672, 673.
Lawrence, Abbott, 379.
Le Conte, J. E., 18.
Lecture Room, 604, 614, 619.
Lectures, first course, 13, 16,

Lectures, first in Cambridge, 300-303,
325; Lowell Institute, 294, 314-316,
318, 324, 328, 330, 331, 339; Smith-
sonian, 403 ; Yale College, see Tale.

Lehmann, J. G. C., 20, 44, 56, 269.

Leitner, 790.

Lemmon, J. G. , 675, 727-

Lenses, Jewel, 135.

Lesquereux, L., 360, 640.

Library, Botanical, at Cambridge, 694.

Liddell, Dean, 802.

Liddon, Canon, 802.

Lindheimer, F., 291, 298, 340, 343, 391.

Lindley, John, 22, 115, 127, 130, 131, 152,
379.

Lindley's asters, 715.

Link,H. F., 26, 269.

Linnaeus, 497, 498, 700.

Linnaeus, Birthday Celebration, 236:
portrait of, 545.

Linnsean Society, 22, 134.

Loddiges, 126, 127, 143.

London, Visit to (1839), 110-153.

Lookout Mountain, 650.

Loring, C. G., 393, 560.

Lowell, J. A., 293, 342, 354, 362, 368, 530,

Loweil, John, 439.

Lowell, J. R., 714, 804.

Lowell Institute Lectures, 294, 314, 316,

318, 324, 328, 330, 339.
Lowell Lectures, Religion in, 725.
Lubbock, 731.
Lyceum of Natural History, New York,

20, 31, 37, 56, 63.
Lyell, 118, 129, 346, 384, 503, 732.

Malan, 265.

Mann, H., 545, 566, 570.

"Manual of Botany," 33, 334, 346, 353,

355, 414, 433, 547.
Marcet, Prof. 588.
Marcon, J., 643.
Marriage, 358.
Martins, C. F., 569.
Martius, 25, 232, 240, 375, 514, 589.
Mary Queen of Scots, 96, 105.
Maskeleyne, 379.
Maspero, 802.
Masters, M. T., 592, 702.
Mather, Dr., 13.
Maurice, 755, 756.
Maximowicz, 680.
McDowell, General, 769.
McGuffey, C. J., 72.
Medical College, Fairfield, 12, 29.
" Melanthacearum Americae Septentrio-

nalis Revisio," 20.
Melastomaceae, 478.
Mellichamp, Dr. J. H., 647, 649.
Menzies, A., 23, 121, 126, 141.
Mexico, journey to, 761-773.
Michaux, F. A., 382, 500, 540, 692, 813.
Michaux's Herbarium, 23, 162, 164, 172,

178.
Michigan, University of, 21, 76, 83, 270,

274, 282, 283 ; A. G., Professor at, 21.

INDEX.

835

Microscopy, 135, 137, 138, 147, 175.

Miers, J., 131.

Mill, J. 8., 659.

Miller, plants of, 146.

Mineralogy, 13, 17, 19.

" Mineralogy of Jefferson and St. Law-
rence Counties, N. Y.," 19.

Miquel, F. A. W., 376.

Mirbel, G. F. B., 23, 165, 175, 179.

Mivart, 459.

Mocino, J. M., 782.

Moggridge, J. T., 571.

Mohl, Hugo von, 267.

" Monograph of North American Rhyn-
chosporse," 19, 31, 60.

Montagne, J. F. C., 24, 164, 418.

Montpellier, 185-189, 569.

Moquin-Tandon, 400.

Morell, 479.

Morris, D., 762.

Moseley, 772.

Mother of Asa Gray, 3, 5.

"Movement in Plants, Power of," Dar-
win, 714.

Mozley, 665.

Muhlenberg, H. L., 685.

Mulder, G.J., 328, 331.

Miiller, J., 593, 625, 644, 720.

Miiller, Max, 488, 489, 491.

Munich, 231-240.

Munich Botanic Garden, 233, 240.

Munro, 100.

Munro, W., 446.

Murfree, Miss M. N., 812.

Murillo, 705.

Murray, Miss, 416.

Museum, Botanical, at Cambridge. 440-
442.

Museum, Paris, herbarium of, 172.

Museum of Natural History, at Cam-
bridge, 351.

Name of Asa, 5.

National Academy, 551.

Natural selection, 459, 461, 489, 497.

See also Evolution.
Naudin, C., 382, 399, 434, 472.
Naville, E., 588, 719.
Nees von Esenbeck, 44, 130, 223, 716,

726.
" New or Rare Plants of State of New

York," 19.

Nicoll, W., 99, 101, 102, 105.
Noel, Baptist, 122, 133, 144.
Nomenclature, 305, 408, 427, 434, 448,

515, 521, 552, 607, 685, 699, 700,744,

746, 813.
North, Christopher (Professor Wilson),

100, 104.

North, Miss, 810.
" North American Gramineae and Cy-

peraceae," 19, 45, 46.
*' North American Plants, Synopsis of,"

North Carolina, journeys to, 26, 28, 280,

306, 663,686, 757.
Nuttall, 92, 282, 326.

Nuttall's herbarium, 697 ; plants, 278.
Nuttalia, 90.
Nymphaea flava, 790.

Oaks, W., 334-336, 672.

Oaks, 672.

Oliver, D., 512, 592, 617, 702, 810.

Olmsted, F. L., 371, 421.

"Orchids, Fertilization of," Darwin,

480, 484, 486, 489, 509. .
Orchis, pyramidalis, 481 ; spectabilis,

53, 481.
Oregon, collection of Wilkes' Expedition,

622, 639.
Origin of Species, 455, 456, 457, 458,472,

480, 485, 486, 498. See Evolution.
Orthodox Botany, 733.
Owen, 117, 459, 505, 510, 521.
Oxford University, 404.
Oxford, degree at, 801.

Packard, 623.

Padua, 204.

Paget, 802.

Palgrave, Sir Francis, 117, 118, 122.

Palmer's Chihuahua collection, 782.

Palmer, E., 686.

Palmerston, 536, 540.

Pangenesis, 561.

Pardie, J., 100.

Paris, visit to (1839), 153-180.

Parish, S. B., 726, 767.

Parish collection, 726.

Park, Prof., 655, 656.

Parker, Judge, 494.

Parliament (1839), 139, 142.

Parry, C. C., 468, 628, 636.

Parry and Palmer's " Mexican Compo-
site," 686.

Parsons, T., 507.

Pascal, 743.

Passion flower, 611.

Passiflora acerifolia, tendrils of, 611.

Pasteur, 511, 550.

Peabody, A. P., 656, 805.

Peabody Museum, Harvard, 543.

Peck, Prof., 326, 327.

Pedro, Dom, 659.

Peirce, Benjamin, 296, 328, 330.

Pentstemon, 391.

Penzig, O., 718.

Persoon, C. H., 336.

Petalanthera, 116.

Peters, T. M., 394.

Philadelphus, 428.

Philip, 209.

Photography, discovery of Daguerreo-
types, 127 ; Talbotypes, 379.

Phyllotaxis, 505, 507.

Pickering, Charles, 337, 347.

Pickering, E. C., 744.

Pictet, 460, 519.

Pictures in Spain, 705.

Pinus monophylla, 674, 675 ; ponderosa,
674.

Planchon, J. E., 569.
1 Plantamour, 719.

836

INDEX.

" Plantae Wrightianse," 389, 391, 392,

393, 406.

Plants, introduced, 313, 325.
Platanthera flava, 509.
Plukenet, plants of, 146, 150.
Podopbyllum Emodi, 175.
Poiret plants, 176.
Politics, American, 755.
Pollen tubes, 325.
Pope, Gen., 77,0.
Pbppig, E. F., 267.
Porto Rico collection, 702.
Portrait, crayon drawing of A. Gray,

94 ; bronze, St. Gaudens, 752.
Potamogeton, 350.
Potato introduced, 5.
Pourtales, 719.
Powell, Baden, 464.
Presl, K. B., 223.
Prestele, 330, 340, 344, 362.
Prestwich, 802.
Price, B., 802.
Priest, Dr., 13.
Pringle, C. G., 727, 782.
Pursh, F., Ill, 734 ; herbarium of, 22.
Pusey, 737.

Putnam, G. P., 23, 142, 143, 152, 265.
Putterlich, A., 214.
Pylaie's, De la, herbarium, 173.
Pyxidanthera, 304.

Quarter-millennial of Harvard College,

789.

Quekett, E. J., 129, 130, 140.
Quercus alba, var., 672.
Quincy, President, 27, 283, 293.

Raffles, T., 86.

Rafinesque-Schmaltz, S. C., 278.

Ranunculaceae, 344.

Ranunculus hydrocharoides, 408.

Ravenel, 745.

Rayleigh, Lord, 805.

Reade, 137.

Rebellion, 465, 467, 469, 470, 471, 478,

480, 481, 483, 486, 487, 490, 494, 495,

496, 503, 506, 511, 512, 518, 522, 526,

528, 533, 535, 537, 538, 554.
Reconstruction (of United States govern-
ment), 544, 549, 554.
Redfield, J. H., early impressions of A.

Gray, 31; letters to, 659, 686, 697,

701, 775, 811.
Redfield and Canby, letters to, 712,

723.

Reichenbach, H. Gottlieb, 267.
Reichenbach, H. Gustave, 811.
" Religion and Science," Yale lectures,

693.
Religious views, 320, 321, 396; influence

on Evolution, 751.
Requien, E., 184, 185.
Resignation of Professorship, 621, 624.

634, 635, 640, 641, 643.
Reuter, G. F., 26, 590.
Rhamnus Parviflora, 307.
Rhexia Virginica, 478, 484.

Rhizoma, enlargement of, meaning, 52.

Rhododendron, 315, 692.

" Rhynchosporae, Monograph of North

American," 19, 31. 60.
Riano, 704.
Rich, W., 21.

Richard, A., 24, 164, 400, 540.
Richard, L. C., 24.
Richard's herbarium, 173, 178.
Richardson, Sir John, 110, 112, 364.
Richardson, Dr., 762.
Riocreux, 330.
Ripley, Mrs., 289.
Robbins, J. W., 686.
Robinia, 509.
Robinson, 123.
Roemer, 373.

Roeper, J. A. C., 700, 716.
Rogers, Mrs. H., 6, 787.
Roget, P. M., 113, 118, 129.
Rolleston, G., 595.
Romane, 742.
Roscoe, H. E., 807, 808.
Roscoe, W., 808.
Rosse, Lord, 384.

Rothrock, J. T., 485, 488, 530, 531.
Royal Society of London, 112, 127, 754.
Royer, Mme., 498.
Royle, J. F., 112, 151.
Rugel, 311.

Rugel's New Holland Collections, 215.
Rutosma, 361.

Saccardo, P. A., 718.

Sandwich Island plants, 90.

Sandys, 800.

Santa Barbara, reception at, 768.

Saporta, 685, 807.

Sargent, C. S., 645, 681, 682, 686, 688,

728, 729, 786.
Sarracenia, 642, 646, 647.
Sartwell, 172.
Saturday Review, 479.
Sauquoit, 2-5.
Saussure, 719.
Savi, G., 194.

Saxifraga Careyana, 689, 691.
Schimper, W. P., 374, 697.
Schinus molle, 568, 763.
Schkuhr, C., 26, 267.
Schlechtendal, D. F. L. von, 26, 267.
Schleiden, 151.

Schonbrunn Botanic Garden, 218, 795.
Schooling, 5-8.
Schott, H., 218.
Schreber, 451.

Schultz Bipontinus, C. H., 715.
Schultz-Schultzenstein, C. H., 329.
Schultes, J. H., 235, 239.
Schwagrichen, C. F., 267.
Schweinitz, Bishop, 17, 44.
Schweinitzia, 310.
Scientific Club, 287.
Sedum pusillum, 652, 653.
Seemann, B., 473.
Semonville, Marquis, 24.
Senecio, 293, 294.

INDEX.

837

«' Sequoia and its history," 628, 638.

Sequoia sempervirens, 412.

Seringe, N. C., 24, 181.

Sesse", 782.

Shaw, Henry, 446, 453, 468, 752, 753,

761, 782.

Shaw Botanic Garden, 761, 782.
Shepherd, J., 88.
Short, C. W., 411, 447, 498.
Shortia galacifolia, 178, 179, 681, 682,

683, 686, 687, 692.
Siebold, P. F., 376.
Silliman's Journal. See Am. Journal

Science and Arts.
Silphium, 400.
Silver Craze, 781.
Suns' herbarium, 151.
Slavery, 296, 535. See also Rebellion.
Sloane, Sir Hans, 199, 200, 201.
Smilax rotundifolia, 52.
Smith, Goldwin, 536.
Smith, I. A., 345, 346.
Smith, J. E., 685.
Smithsonian Institution, 397, 403, 665;

Regent, 729, 730.
Smyth, N., 695.

Snake country collections, 90, 92.
Soleirol, 20.
Solidago, 279, 726.
Sophocles, E. A., 434.
South Pacific Exploring Expedition,

Spach, E., 23, 165, 176, 382, 418.
Species, 520, 617, 657, 744. See also

Evolution, origin of.
Species, definition of, 497 ; essential

character of, 691.
Spedding, J., 732.
Spelling match, 6, 787.
Spencer, H., 459, 740, 759.
Sprague, Isaac, 329, 330, 340, 347, 357,

362, 364, 366, 405.
Sprengel, 813.
Spruce's plants, 437.
St. Augustine, 659.
St. Hilaire, A. de, 24, 167, 168.
Stanley, Dean, 605, 722.
Staunton, Sir F., 118.
Steindachner, 795.
Stephens, 539.
Stokes, 805.
Stokesia cyanea, 279.
Stone Mountain, 650.
Story, 801, 802.
Strachey, Gen., 671.
" Structural Botany," 814.
" Studies in Solidago and Aster," 726.
Subspecies, 744.

Subtropical Plants, Mexican, 765.
Sullivant, W. S., 28, 129, 280, 290, 306,

308, 310, 318, 360, 390, 433, 514, 640,

641,668.

Sumner, C., 494.
Suss, E., 795.
Switzerland, walking tour in 1839, 240-

263 ; (1869) 590.
Synoptical Flora. See Flora.

Talbot, 802, 805.

Talbot, Fox, 127.

Targioni-Tozzetti, 200.

Tatnall, E., 446.

Taylor, Richard, 114, 117.

Taylor, Dr., 789.

Taxus nucifera, 129.

Teacher in Utica, 16, 18, 19. 29, 37.

Teaching, 438, 439.

Teleology. See Design.

Temple, Bishop, 602, 780.

Tendrils, 492, 510, 512, 538, 539, 548,

611, 631, 633.
Tetradymia, 293.
"Text -Book, Botanical," 28,281,282,

286, 289, 290, 297, 329, 334, 365, 366,

368, 685, 687, 693.

Thayer, N., 816.

Thayer, J. B., 781.

;'Th6orie Etementaire," De Candolle,

Thompson, W. H., 380, 713.
Thompson, T., 380, 592.
Thomson, Sir William, 759.
Thurber, G., letters to, 408 ; references

to, 406, 694.
Thurberia, 408, 409.
Thuret, G., 569, 572.
Thury, 519.

Tommasini, J. S., 25, 209.
Torrey, Herbert Gray, 141.
Torrey, J., letters to, 33-45, 51, 91, 149,

287, 292, 297, 303, 307, 314, 318, 324,
327, 333, 334, 339, 343, 356, 358. 362,

369, 445, 450, 568, 577, 5%, 641, 622 ;
references to, 15, 18, 20, 29, 31, 48, 134,
405, 415, 485, 500, 514, 533, 558, 595,
601, 639, 641, 813.

Torrey, Mrs., letters to, 67, 81, 152, 161,
198, 294, 300, 301, 305 ; references to,
30, 415.

Torrey, the Misses, letters to, 153, 163.

Torreya, 428, 650, 651.

Townsend, 278.

Traill, 759.

Transport boats, articulated, 759.

Tread well, D., 27.

Tr^cul, A., 382.

Trees of North America, 362, 364, 366.

Trelease, W., 782.

Treveranus, 373.

Tricerastes, 223.

Trichomanes Petersii, 394.

Trichomanes radicans, 392, 394.

Trimen, 592.

Trisetum Molle, 46.

Trowbridge, J. F., 14, 15, 41 ; Letters to,
64, 65, 83.

Trumbull, J. H., 745.

Tuckerman, E., 27, 292, 784.

Tulasne, L. R., 382, 400.

Turner, Dawson, 388.

Tylor, 772, 802.

Tyndall, 565, 631, 805.

Ungnadia, 222.

838

INDEX.

United States Exploring Expedition.

See Exploring.
University of Michigan, 21, 76, 83, 270,

274, 282.
Utica, 16, 18, 19, 29, 37.

Vaccinium brachycerum, 343.

Val Crucis, 309.

Valentine, W., 144, 149.

" Variation of Plants and Animals under
Domestication," 561.

Vase presented to Asa Gray, 776.

Vasey, G., 688.

Vaughan, 805.

Ventenat herbarium, The, 178.

" Vestiges of Creation," 328, 330, 345.

Vienna, 210-223.

Vienna Hofherbarium, 214, 795.

Vilmorin, H. de, 721, 799.

Vilmorin, L., 381, 445.

Virginia, Journey to. See North Caro-
lina.

Visiani, R. de, 25, 204.

Vogel, 93.

Wallace, 613, 714.

Wallich, N., 379.

Walter, T., 134.

Walter's herbarium, 130, 136, 813.

War. See Rebellion.

Ward, N. B., 23, 120, 126, 132, 137, 144,

369, 370.
Ward cases, 126.
Wartmann, 719.
Watson, S., 622, 640, 669, 694, 727, 729,

784, 787, 788, 813.
Webb, P. Barker, 23, 157, 173, 382.
Webb's herbarium, 173.

Wedgewood, Miss, 755,

Weeds, 492.

Weiss, 795.

Weisner, 796.

Wellingtonia. See also Sequoia, 408.

Welwitschia, 541.

Whipple, Charles W., 73-79.

Whitney, Asa, 388.

Wilkes, C., 359, 392, 622.

Will, 816.

Willdenow, 26 ; herbarium, 268, 709.

Williams, S. Wells, 54.

Williamson, W. C., 722, 791, 807.

Willoughby, Dr., 12.

Wilson (Christopher North), 100, 104.

Winter, American, 739.

Winthrop, R. C., 543, 700.

Wislizenus, A., 351, 782.

Wood, A., 334.

Wright, Charles, Letters to, 352, 360,
362, 389, 405, 413, 482, 494, 516, 540
546, 550, 554, 567, 575, 588, 616 ; referl
ences to, 360, 362, 390, 391, 393, 405,
406, 422, 426, 435, 441, 442, 470, 495
515, 516, 541, 550, 568, 617, 773, 774.

Wright, Chauncey, 657.

Wright, G. F., Letters to, 655, 666, 684,
695.

Wyman, J., 303, 327, 502, 505, 511, 550,
553,600.

Xantus de Vesey, L. J., 466.
Xantus, Calif ornian Plants, 466.

Yale College Lectures, 693, 694,699,700.

Zuccarini, J. G., 25, 234, 235, 315.
Zygodon, Bones of, 303.

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