Peck, William Dandridge, 1763-1822. Papers of William Dandridge Peck, 1775-1937 (inclusive). Correspondence, 1818-1822, undated. HUG 1677 Box 2, Folder 16, Harvard University Archives.

Danvers July 31 1818 Mr Dear Sir Mr [Proctor?] Informs me that you are desirous of receiving a discription of the Lillium Mentioned in my past I have seen but a single Specmen the present year-- From this plant I hastily made the following description. Style curved. ? Stamens spreading Petals lanceolate wholy? revolute Leaves linear-lanceolate [verhullate?]--.

[drawings of Style and Stemen]

I am not used to drawing but the following vertical section of the flower may serve explain the above description

The leaves are not so broad as the Lillium Canadense to which it has some resemblance as their [??]

Petals of a beautiful orange colour with darker spots on the under side. All the petals having the longitu dinal [?] line-- nearly alike -- It would be worth enquiring whether the stigma applies itself to each of the anther, in [?] as their [?] renders it probable My friend Dr. Osgood of this town whom I conducted to the spot where they grew - about a month since has been fortunate enough to preserve the root of one in a flower pot which he intends to present to you the first opurtunity - [with?] those which I took at the same time I was [last?] fortunate

Excuse this hasty and imperfect account of a plant to me highly interesting I have found no description of it in any work which I have seen for I think it cannot be the L [Cerolsmeansim?] of [Pursh?] unless the leaves are of different in shapes in different [striations?] And if the Style & Stamina in his plant are much as I have described I am [imppressed?] that he does not mention it Perhaps however this surprise is owing to my ignorance -- of most of the species of this beautiful genus ----

Yours respectfully

Andw. Michals----

Professor Peck---- Cambridge----

[hole cut in letter?]

Mr. Nichols

Wm D. Peck -- Prof. Nat. Hist-Harvard University Cambridge

By Mr Proctor.

Mr Nichols 1818

Cambridge [Xhr?] 27. 1819.

Dear Sir

On applying to the Board of Visitors for money for the garden, I have received a [Draught?] on Yourself for [D:200.00?] I find it [by?] the most [truly?] [?] I have, be pleased to [honor?] it as I ex -pect some demands will be made upon me this week. As Mr Higginson will be absent I shall probably be obliged to apply to You on my own acco't the next month

I am, Dear Sir, with great Respect & Esteem Yours truly W D Peck

[Honorable?] J. Davis. [Then?] Har. Coll.

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