Asa Gray correspondence files of the Gray Herbarium, 1838-1892 (inclusive). Correspondence with George Engelmann, 1840-1856. Botany Libraries, Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass.

careful collector of plants and insects.

Lindheimeria Capitula aequaliflora plurifolora (16-18 flora) corymbosa. Involucrum 8 angulum, foliolis carinatis , apice carinatis coloratis laceris, 4 exterioribus lalioribus, 4-5 interioribus angustioribus. Receptaculum alveolatum nudum. Corolla limbo profunde quinque fido palmata(?) Filamenta laevia. Styli rami subulati pubescentes. Achaenia 4 angulata nervosa pilosa. Pappus 1 serialis, paleis 8 ovatolanceolatis acutis, serrato-ciliatis.

Herba texana perennis (?) strigosa erecta Folia trinervia inferiora opposita. Corolla violacea.

Lindheimeria texanacaule erecto ramoso infra glabriasculo, supra strigoso-scabo, foliis peliolatis lineari lanceolatis, integerrimis, trinerviis, strigosis scabris, inferioribus oppositis, superioribus alternis; capitulis pedicillatis, corymbosis, pedicellis glandulosis; involcri foliolis asperis apice scariobis lacens coloratis (violaceis); tubo corollae involucrum superante limbi laciniis linearibus acutis breviore, achaeniis involucrum aequantibus.

Banks of Buffalo bayou near Houston Texas, October 1841

Lobelia texana Raf is amongst these plants and easily distinguished from {Lobelia} cardinalis, especially by the long linear lanceolate acuminate lobes of corolla. —

Last year I have found Donia squarrosa in abundance on the river bank near town. I believe that your genus Linum must be entirely remodelled. I have one from Texas and one from Arkansas undescribed by you; and the Linum lewisii is very distinct from {Linum} perenne, more near {Linum} austriacum, but also distinct from that I have all three from their native localities.

I shall send you a number of Compositae from this Texan collection, which may reach you before you finish your next number of flora, and be perhaps of some service to you — Only one of them, the Lindheimeria, I can spare for you — But you may keep the others till next fall, if I then get duplicates, you may keep them!

On the next page I have made some notes which may be interesting to you; Texan localities etc —

The Ambrosia, which I have called incisa, and which Dr Gray has also from other western localities (I don't know his name) I have also from Galveston island (F. Lindheimer). From the same place Borrichia frutescens — Liatris mucronata DC (always 3 flowered!) and Erigeron scaposus DC also an Iva, probably {Iva} asperifolia Lessing (in pascuis Veracruz) All these plants are from Galveston Island. The following Gnaphalium polycephalum — Solidago graminifolia — Inula scabra Is the Obeliscaria not new? It is not in Decandolle at least I should like to see it named after my friend, Obeliscaria lindheineri, or as all other Obeliscarias have divided leaves — {Obeliscaria} ovatifolia. — Acmella repens — Chrysopsis argentea — Marshallia angustifolia. Helenium tenuifolium (under what name had De Candolle this plant?) Liatris mucronata — Solidago odora. —

It may be interesting to you that in this collection there are is an Amorpha which does not agree at all with your {Amorpha} caroliniana, but with {Amorpha} glabra Desf — so that I can not see how you say in the appendix that they are the sane fide herb DC. — At least if the lowest pair of leaflets being distant or approximate to the stem is an important and specific distinction.

Stem, leaves and calyx very glandulous; leaflets 8-9 pairs elliptical, mucronate, petiolulate, stipules and stipels setaceous, lowest pair distant from the stem 1 to 1 1/4 inch. Calyx glandulous, villous at the mouth; 4 teeth short, one accuminate

I expect to get more specimens next fall and then you shall have them. —

Among the plants which I do not see described in the older books at least, are two monardas (by the way is Monarda hirsuta and ciliata not yet separated from Monarda — the are certainly an other genus. What does Benthan say; the calyx is entirely different. —) A— Euchroma, which may be called indivisa on account of leaves and bracts being alway undivided! — A Lythrum which I call foliosum, similar to virgatum, but the teeth on the calyx never reflexed. ——

Amongst the Compositae is also Chaetopappa which I have also collected in western Arkansas. — Decandolle's character ought to be modified! Capitulum multiflorum (12-16) radiatum; fl. radii 1 serialibus foemineis ligulatis (7-8) fertilibus disci herniaphroditis (sterilibus) 5-8). Recept. angustum scrobiculatum nudum. Involucri (octagoni) squamae laxe imbricatae, exteriores accuminatae, interiores margine scariosis ciliato-fissis. Pappus florum exteriore fertilium duplex, externus palaeaceus, paleis fissis [2 drawings] intermin quinquesetus, asper; Achaenia pilosiuscula. Pappus flora disci sterilium simplex, palaeaceus; Achaenia sterilia, stipitum glandulos-referentia.

I was just about closing this long epistle when I got your letter from March 3d — 16 days on the road — beautiful postoffice arrangements! — I am glad to hear that you are well again — but you should not work so hard that you injure your health. — It would be wrong to give you any more trouble and work — and I would even suppress this letter, if it did not contain mostly notes about Compositae, which may be immediately interesting to you. At all events you must pardon me with troubling you in this way — but I do not expect letters from you, unless you can write conveniently and at your leasure. About the Compositate you do as you please.

Single 25 [Faded postmark] St LOUIS MAR 23 Mo.

Asa Gray MD Care of Prof J Torrey 30 McDougal street New York

There is not botany taught in our medical school, and very little of it in the college; but I have heard it said, that it is intended to have a professorship for it erected. I will do what I can to have your Handbook introduced where ever they will pay any attention to botany —— and with so much more pleasure, as I am confident of its value even before I have seen it. I do not expect an answer now — but let me imediately know if you please when you have received the collections — only a few lines? — Very truly yours G. Engelmann

St Louis April 24th 1842 Asa Gray M.D.

My dear Doctor

A few days ago I sent a box with plants to Mssrs Poppe, Pearlstreet 92 for you. You will find in that box parcels for you (containing amongst other things Texas Compositae) for Mr. Brownne for Mr Carey, which you will oblige me for to forward to their destination, one for Mr Buckeley which I request you to lay aside for him till he arrives. — There is also a small package for the Philadelphia Academy and one for the Washington Institute, which I wish you to send by the best opportunity and one for Mr Curtis which you will do me the favour to send to Turner & Hughes New York & Raleigh NC. as he has directed me, or any where else, just as you think best, as you have more communication with him.

Now you will have some expenses except besides the trouble — and I must request you, either to charge me with them, or the Gentlemen divide it between the Gentlemen to whom the different parcels are directed. I don't know how that is customary here — at all events you can not have to bear the expenses.

Mr Curtis sent me in a letter two specimens of Cuscuta, from N Carol. & Massachusetts, both

are the {Cuscuta} carinata

Did I ask in my last letter whether you could obtain a small specimen of a Cuscuta on Portulacca collected by Dr James at the foot of the {Rocky} Mts — Has not Torrey got it? It ought to be different from any we have here.

In the parcels you will find an Astragalus which I had doubtfully considered to be {Astragalus} trichocalyx N. but again examining the plant this spring, I am perfectly satisfied that either Nuttall's description is very incorrect, or this is an undescribed species. The stipulae are certainly connected together and with the petiole; and it ought to belong to the Section Caprini Dec prodr. II. 301 and appears to be more so to the {Astragalus} longiflorus Pall. (same fruit) The fruit misled me to put it amongst the camosus etc. — It might be called {Astragalus} edulis; I have tried the young tender fruit, and find it equal to young beans or peas, prepared in the same way. The plant grows here on dry prairies, and I have also specimens from several parts of the interior of this state. — As you have seen specimens of {Astragalus} trichocalyx or mexicanus, you can decide, but shape and location of stipulae shape and proportion of calyx teeth should distinguis it — how is the colour of flowers of {Astragalus trichocarpus}? Ours is ochroleucus with bluish tip of carina — always!

Mr Curtis writes me, that your 6th number is out — do send it to me by mail! and continue to do it with every suceeding number — You can always draw from expenses on me at Mssrs Poppe's

It is very long that I heard nothing of you Did you receive my last letter? — how ever I forget that you are so extremely busy just now and ought not to trouble you — The box I expect you will get by the beginning of Mai, when you have a little more leasure.

Truly yours

George Engelmann

Asa Gray MD New York

Send a few sheets of your Elementary work

[faded postmark] St LOUIS 25 APR 25 Mo.

Asa Gray MD Care of Prof Torrey 30 McDougal str New York City