Botanists -- United States -- Correspondence; Gray, Asa, 1810-1888 -- Correspondence
P. S.--Liverpool again, Tuesday evening.--I have accomplished a good
day’s work to-day. Rose early, made the circuit of the city of Chester
on the walls before breakfast, explored all about the town; visited the
cathedral, walked to Eaton Hall, four miles and back again; and then,
finding there was no coach in the morning until nine o’clock, took an
evening coach, and returned here ten P.M., much gratified, but a little
fatigued; so good-night. A. G.
GLASGOW (WOODSIDE CRESCENT), December 12, 1838.
I do not just now feel like a traveler. I have been for almost a week,
if not at home, yet the next thing to it, in the truly hospitable
mansion of our good friends here, where I was received with that cordial
kindness which you, having experienced before me, can well understand.
Indeed I owe it chiefly to you, who I assure you are not forgotten here.
Ecce signum. Both Sir William and Lady Hooker call me, oftener than
anything else, by the name of Dr. Torrey. I answer to the name promptly,
and am much flattered to be your representative.
I have just stuck fast here, busy among the plants from morning till
night. I have been out of the house but twice (except to church on
Sunday): once a walk into town with Mr. Hooker, Senior (kind and amiable
old man, who insists upon taking me about, and showing me whatever he
showed you), and once with Sir William to the Botanic Garden. I am
anxious to improve every moment here, where there is so much to be done
and such ample means. Arnott has written, inviting me to spend some time
with him, which I hope to do, visiting him from Edinburgh, there being
now no coach to Stirling or Kinross, from Glasgow direct.... Sir William
has given me many interesting plants; we have settled many points of
interest. He had our new Nuttallia all figured for the Supplement to
“Flora Borealis Americana” as a new genus, and we have recently found it
among plants from the Snake country, which, with Douglas’s and other
Californian plants, he is publishing as a supplement to “Beechey’s
Voyage.” I begged him to adopt the name Nuttallia. He offered at once to
publish it as of Torrey and Gray, but I would not consent to this, and I
am sure you would agree with me. He has in different ways a great share
of Nuttall’s so far,--Pickeringia for instance (which is a shrubby
Baptisia), Kentrophyta, etc. I shall be kept here ten days longer, I
think; no one else abroad is so rich in North American botany or takes
so much interest in it. I am requested to study all his Sandwich Island
plants (including my own parcel here), and make an article for the
“Annals of Natural History” while here. I think I will, if on looking
over the parcels I think I can do the subject justice. Can’t
Knieskern[38] safely make the excursion to Sante Fé in the coming
spring? If he can, and will work hard, he will make $1000 clear of
expenses! All the collectors make money. Hooker is very anxious about
it.
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