29 Apr 1831 [2] (seq. 5)

translation of Jussieu by Sir J. E. Smith. I have prefaced an Appendix
containing all the known North American genera, with the authority for each
genus — a few synonyms — & the number of species hitherto observed within the
limits of our Flora — that is from Mexico, north — : the whole arranged according
to the improved orders in the body of the work. There will be also
a few tables exhibiting the relative proportions of the different grand divisions,
tribes & orders. I have also prefixed to the principal work a very
excellent little introduction to botany by the same author.
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I have the present season resumed the study of mosses & have commenced
a general account of the species hitherto observed in North America. The
skeleton of the work is already prepared & a place provided for any new
materials which may come to hand. You will oblige me very much
by collecting for me all the Musci which you observe. I wish my
a large quantity of each species so that when I have determined a
number I may have enough to last for some time. The specimens
should be in fruit if it is possible to obtain them in that state. I
am sure we have many new species in the Middle & Northern States
for I showed my collection to Mr. {James L.} Drummond the great Scotch
Muscologist
a few days ago & there were many in it with which he was un=
=acquainted. This gentleman, as you are probably aware accompa=
=nied Capt. {John} Franklin & Dr. {John} Richardson in their last exped{ition} to
the North.

He spent two years (most of the time among the Rocky Mountains)
& made extensive collections, especially of the mosses. On his return
he published 50 sets of dried specimens, each containing about 280 species,
of mosses. One set I have just received. The gentleman is just
now on his way to the regions west of the Mississippi for the purpose
of collecting plants. He sent out two tons of paper round by the
way of New Orleans! So that you may judge how extensively he in=
=tends to collect.
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B[loss] mosses — I particularly wish Hepaticae — these growing generally
with the mosses can be collected with them — let them be collected
even without fruit. Though I have mentioned these tribes
I do not wish you to confine yourself to them — I want all the
rare plants and also such as are somewhat peculiar to the region
around you — In return I hope to furnish you with European
specimens authentically named & also such plants as grow in
this region, that you do not already possess.
___
We have but little botanical news here — indeed there are but few
workers left. Mr {Lewis D. de} Schweinitz has just sent to Germany,
to have printed,
his great work on N. American fungi in 3 vols. Mr. {Abraham} Halsey
is pre=
=paring a catalogue of the Cryptogamous plants growing within 30 miles
of New York & I am getting up a new Catalogue of the Flowering Plants, accor=
=ding to the Nat. Method.

I am Dear Sir
Yours truly
J. Torrey