Dear Sir,

I was pleased to learn that you were interested in the various contents of my last note.² When th⁠⟨⁠at⁠⟩⁠ was written I was unable to send you the flowers of Bouv⁠⟨⁠ard⁠⟩⁠ia Leiantha, but I now inclose them.³ The gardener in w⁠⟨⁠h⁠⟩⁠ose ⁠⟨⁠ho⁠⟩⁠thouse they grew, said the long-styled form was a sport. ⁠⟨⁠I⁠⟩⁠ suspect that in a s⁠⟨⁠tat⁠⟩⁠e of nature it is sport that means mischief. The long-stamened clusters are comparatively scarce, & Dr Gray, in the last Torrey Bulletin confirms what I said about Gentiana Andrewsii: it is visited by humble-bees.⁴

I hope the pressed plants within will arrive safely and be of some use to you,

Respectfully yours | W. Whitman Bailey

Instructor of Botany | Brown University—