31 Jul 1848 [2] (seq. 173)

and (I think) one or two numbers of 1847. I did not know
that in 1845 the work was interrupted & therefore asked for this
whole of the that year. Since I applied for the missing parts
various numbers (some of them back ones) have been received.
You sent me the whole of 1844 (which I had already). Of
1846, No. 1. which I wanted. Of 1847, Nos. 1, 3, 4, two copies
of 5, & two copies of 6! I only needed one of that year. There
was, lastly, No. 1 of 1848. So that out of 15 Nos. I only retained 3!
I will put the rest in your parcel — as they some of them may
have been selected in N.Y. by mistake & you may need them to
complete your set.

You once asked me about a case of surgical instruments
which you said Mr. Wiley had charged to you & I told
you I knew nothing about the matter, as I had never ordered
any thing of the kind. Mr. W's book keeper sent me a bill
last Saturday for said box — for which amounting to the lump sum of
$113.97! He says it was on your bill — but that he must
charge it to me! Are you getting crazy my good friend? I
know that I am a careless person about accounts — but as to
a case of surgical instruments, imported by Wiley or any other
man, I am perfectly ignorant. The things are entirely out of

my line. I have imported nothing from France or any part
of Europe (save a few books & my microscope) for about nine
years. Indeed I never imported apparatus but four times since
I left West Point. This matter can easily be traced back by
the books of the firm & they can find out who ordered the in-
struments. I have an obscure recollection that when you spoke
of this matter to me some time ago, you said that Wiley himself was
rather uncertain who ordered the box & put it down to you more on
conjecture than certainty. When I told you that my account
was smaller than I expected to find it, I suppose it might be 20 or
30 {dollars} more & this turns out to be the case. I settled the matter
about the Martius & {Endlicher (Flora Brasiliensis) {received} last winter.

I have been waiting for some printed labels in order to
prepare you a set of Fremont's plants (3rd {Expedition}) Only part of the
specimens can be sent just now.

What do you think our puzzling {Amaranthus} plant turns out to be?
Why Achyranthes lanuginosa of Nuttall! In the old fructiferous state in
which Emory collected it has but little resemblence to the flowering condition of
the plant. Surely it must be removed from the genus. If Mr. Sprague
has done that drawing of Fremontia can you not have it engraved &
send me a proof of it? Fremont has not yet informed me how
many species I may have figured — but I expect to hear from him
tomorrow or very soon after.