(seq. 2)

My other engagements sometimes cause me to
neglect my specimens, whilst drying — & they
consequently become mouldy, or otherwise
damaged. Indeed, I have rarely been able to
preserve my plants so perfectly & handsomely
as those which I have received from you.

As you have kindly proposed to send
me another package in November next, I beg
leave to ask the favor of a specimen of the
Prunus hyemalis, of your sketch. A branch
containing a few perfect leaves will be suffi=
=cient. I would thank you to accompany it with
a notice of the , color of the fruit, which is
not mentioned in your work. I have a suspi=
=cion that it is the P. americana, of Marshall,
& of my catalogue; & am anxious to ascertain
the fact. The fruit is just now ripe with
us; & I have procured a drawing of a
small branch, with the mature fruit —
which I propose to have engraved, & pub=
=lished in one of our scientific journals.
The obscurity in which our native Plums
are involved, — & especially this above species,
has induced me to have the drawing made;
& hence my desire, also, to learn the precise
character of your P. hyemalis. If I had
the means, & the leisure to examine the living
species of Prunus, in this country, I would
attempt a monograph of the genus, so far
as we have it. It appears to me that our

difficult genera can only be satisfactorily
elucidated & determined in that way. —

You may expect to receive a package
from me, by one of the Charleston Ships,
as soon as the herborizing season is over.

In the mean time, I remain,
Dear Sir,
with the most profound respect,
your obliged Friend & obedt. [obedient] Servt. [Servant]
Wm. [William] Darlington

Stephen Elliott, L.L.D. &c
Charleston S.C.