Engelmann, George Jan. 8, 1842 [1] (seq. 30)

St Louis Jan 8th 1842

My dear Doctor,

I sent you a short and hasty letter
about 3 weeks ago respecting the sending of specimens
in newspapers. I was in such a hurry, that I
believe, I forgot to thank you for the very interesting
paper you sent me, containing an account of
your investigations in the southern Alleghanies.
Your exposition of the Pycnanthemums I had
no time yet to compare with my specimens and
notes; but what you say about P. [Pycnanthemum] monardella
struck me also when I examined Michaux
herbarium. This brings me on Mr Rust and
the unfortunate package he took with him,
several southwestern Pycnanthemum and only
specimens too, were in that parcel. —
A few days ago he wrote here, that he had left the
parcel in the Astor house, in his room, and
that he would also write to New York to enquire
himself, but I fear that any inquiry
though a letter is far less efficacious than
in search that you may again institute
—— Since I have written you last, I have
examined Prof Short's Cuscutas, and sure
more which I was able to hunt up here and
in this neighborhood. — I took occasion to
reexamine all my specimens and those send
by you, and am sorry to say, are forced
to make again some alterations.
This may argue not very favourably for
the accuracy of my former observations, or
for the distribution or stability of the
species, which I propose. And it fact I have
strong misgivings that Cuscuta saururi and
carinata may prove nothing but varieties