The whole history and the mode of growth, stolons, etc., has been repeatedly published here in the journals, etc. See Watson’s “Index” Supplement, etc. Not that this is any matter, even about poor Leitner. CAMBRIDGE, January 25, 1887. ... Yes, it has seemed to me clear that you could not cross the Atlantic at present. And so it logically follows that we must. I had been coming to this conclusion, and only the day before your letter arrived my good wife and I had put our heads together and concluded that, if nothing occurred meanwhile to prevent, we would cross over, say in April. It is time we set about it, if we are ever to do it; and several things seem to indicate that this is a more favorable time than we can expect later. As this will be “positively Dr. Gray’s last appearance on your shores,” we must make the most of it. Shall we have a Continental jaunt together, or shall you be too much tied to home? Meanwhile I must work hard and steadily.... As you “weed out” surplus of herbarium Kew, keep them for me. When I come I will take care of them. It is (as usual) good of you to think of us. You have done so for so long a time that it is only “second nature”--very good nature too. Williamson, plant-fossil, long ago begged us to come to British Association at Manchester, and be his guests. If I do, what think you of my preparing a paper for Botanical Section; and will you join me in it? two venerables--_anglice_ old fogies--on Nomenclature and Citations. There are some points I should like to argue out and explain; to put on record, though it may be of no use. Not that one wants to get up a discussion in such a body--that would never do.... CAMBRIDGE, February 22. Thank you for sending me your edition of Bentham’s “Handbook,” which looks well in its more condensed shape, and in which I dare say you have put a good deal of conscientious work. But it seems to me that Reeve & Company give it poor type and paper. I am putting through a rehash of my “Lessons in Botany,”[140] more condensed, yet fuller, and with a new name. This, with the companion book, which I must live to do over, _Deo favente_, is the principal thing for bread, and I need it for an endowment to keep up the herbarium here, after my time. Well,--don’t speak of it aloud,--we have secured our passages for April 7, and if I can get present work off my hands in time, we may be on your soil soon after Easter. You may imagine me very busy, indeed. Yours affectionately, A. GRAY.