Correspondence of Leo Lesquereux and G. W. Clinton
Edited by P. M. Eckel
Res Botanica
Missouri Botanical Garden
October 13, 2005
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The Correspondence of

Leo Lesquereux (1806-1889) and

George William Clinton (1807‑1885)

 

1865

 


 

Vol. 1. No. 129 [I 84]

 

Columbus, O [Ohio]  Augt. 19th/ 65

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton, Buffalo

 

Dear Sir.

 

Owing to sickness and absence from home, I could not till now answer your kind favor of the 8th Inst. Your name is known to me since a long time as that of a very clever and zealous Botanist and I am indeed very glad to have an opportunity of corresponding directly with you. Whenever you have any specimens of mosses which you wish to determine, if you will send them to me I will name them and report immediately provided your letters and packages find me at Columbus. In summer I am very often out for field work. Mr. Peck send me from you a specimen of Hypnum riparium var. [str.] No. 528 of the  Musci Exsiccati, growing on wet decayed logs in swamps. If you have not the pamphlet of the Musci Boreali Amer. which goes with the sets but is also published separately, I can send you a copy of it. I do not believe that we shall be able to give the setts of the Musci for less than $35.00 in gold. When you see the sets, the beauty and fullness of the specimens and the amt. of work and time spent for their preparation, you will see that the price is not at all a compensation of the work but scarcely pays the expenses. I hope to find time to finish the work this year. There are only fifty setts and most of them are already subscribed for. I hope that all the setts will be sold in America.

 

A few years ago, and especially from want of a good place for my botanical collections and also of time to care for them, I sold my whole herbarium of Phaenogamous plants (about 2000 species) to the Museum of Toronto. I have now very few specimens left and I do not know where to find them. I have some specimens of Sullivantia Ohionis, I believe, and also of Vesicaria Lescurii Gr. and as soon as I am well enough to look for them I will try to get them and send them to you. Of the two Fedias of Sullivant, I know nothing. I looked for them many years consecutively to find them at the place where they were collected by Mr. Sullivant and even in his company, but never succeeded in finding them. They may be mere hybrids or deformations. The specimens in Mr. Sullivant's herbarium are now mostly broken and lacerated. Asclepias Sullivanti is also unknown to me. But I will try again till I get it.

 

I am much obliged for your kind offer of communication of specimens. I know nothing of your neighborhood but Niagara Falls and Goat Island. Could you ever find a specimen of Fissidens Grandifrons in fruit, all the bryologists would thank you. It has also never been found in Europe.

 

Most respectfully yours

 

Leo Lesquereux

 

Recd Aug. 23 wrote him 26th

 

In 1857 W. S. Sullivant and Leo Lesquereux published a systematic collection of dried specimens, an exsiccat, entitled the Musci Boreali-Americani, sive specimina exsiccata muscorum in Americae Rebuspublicis Foederatis detectorum, conjunctis studiis W. S. Sullivant et L. Lesquereux. There were 355 numbers. In the next year, 1866, in April, Lesquereux would issue the Editio Secunda of this exsiccat, with 536 numbers. "Besides specimens from eastern North America, some of which are of the same species as in the first edition, the set is notable for the large number of western American mosses, collected by the Pacific Railroad Surveys of 1854 and 1855, by the Geological Survey of California in 1863 and 1864, and by Henry Nicholas Bolander (1831-1879) in California, and by Charles Wright in the south-west" (Sayre, G. 1971. Cryptogamae Exsiccatae. Part IV. Bryophyta. Memoirs of the N. Y. Bot. Garden Vol. 19, No. 2 pp. 175-276).

 

On August 8, Clinton, according to his journal, had taken the train from Buffalo to Niagara Falls. He collected mosses and liverworts there, including Preissia commutata, Fissidens grandifrons, Hymenostylium recurvirostrum, noting it was, as it is now, common at this locality in wet rocks. Perhaps, inspired by his collections there, and perhaps knowing of Lesquereux's efforts at this locality, Clinton decided to open a correspondence with him.

 

Niagara Falls in New York State and Ontario, Canada, spans the boundary between both countries. In the notes that follow, Clinton has collected in areas around the cataracts themselves (Prospect Park on the mainland, N.Y.), on Goat Island (N.Y.) the largest of the islands between the two catarats where the Biddle Stairs and Terrapin Point were located, and the Hog Back, a path running along the north boundary of the island). The seven mile limestone gorge running north from the cataracts was barely accessible at this time: one area at DeVeaux College, that maintained a stone stair down to the water's edge, and further north Devil's Hole, also with a stone stair, a cove in the gorge wall. Lewiston was the village at the north terminus of the gorge where it ends at the Niagara Escarpment. Clinton also collected in similar stations on the Canadian side at Foster's Flats (Niagara Glen) and areas around Brock's Monument at Queenston, facing Lewison, N.Y.

 

Sullivantia is a genus described by John Torrey and Asa Gray, named after William Starling Sullivant, the plant, Sullivantia sullivantii (Torrey & Asa Gray) Britton, Sullivant's Cool-wort, was originally S. ohionis Torr. & A. Gray ex A. Gray. It is a small flowering member of the Saxifragaceae associated with cliffs and so also with the various bryophyte species Sullivant specialized in.

 

Sullivant's "Fedias" are Fedia umbilicata Sulliv. "Moist grounds, Columbus, Ohio, Sullivant. (Sill. Jour. Jan. 1842" and F. patellaria Sulliv. "Low grounds, Columbus, Ohio, Sullivant" according to Gray's Manual, 5th edition 1867. These are two species in the family Valerianaceae, now Valerianella umbilicata (Sull.) Alphonso Wood and V. patellaria (Sull.) Alphonso Wood. Gray also at one point made these plants two varieties of V. woodsiana: they are distinguished by the fruits, one saucer-like, the other, globose, having a navel (navel-shaped) and flower in May.

 

Hypnum riparium L. ex Hedw. = Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst.

 


 

Vol. 1. No. 141 [I 71]

 

Columbus O.  Aust. 31st [18]65

 

Hon G. W. Clinton

 

My Dear Sir.

 

It is very little indeed that I can do to be agreeable to you and such a kind letter as you wrote me on the 26th [...] is worth to me much more than any amount of plants you could send me. Please do not believe that I can be troubled in any way by any amount of specimens of mosses you can send for determination. The communication of specimens of even the most common species of mosses is ofter valuable especially considering geographical distribution. It is the case with the two of the specimens you sent me.

 

No. 4 is right, Hypnum adnatum

 

No. 4B is Desmatodon arenaceus Sull. & Lesq.

 

No. 4C is probably a deformation of the same species, it differs only by shorter inflated capsule, probably a result of local influence. Nevertheless, if you should find more of the same, I would be much obliged for the communication of some specimens. Now, please, where does this No. 4B come from? You will much oblige me in making on every package you send me for determination the locality where the moss has been found and the month of the year if possible. H. adnatum is found everywhere and is abundant at Goat Island. Maybe these specimens come from this place. But it is a cold station for such a moss as Desmatodon arenaceus.

 

I hunted this morning in my garret for some package of phaenogamous plants but could find nothing. I sent last fall a large bundle to Toronto and put in it everything I found around loose. My house is becoming too small for the amount of specimens of natural history which I like to colllect and it has been a question sometimes put forward by my wife, which should leave the place either ourselves or the collections? I had put aside a few species from many collected in 1862 in a journey to Mt. Marcy and other parts of the Adirondacs. These plants which have not been claimed may have some interest for you as New Yorkers. I have no time to look if they are well named and just put the name from memory. Please correct anything wrong. As the P. O. would not accept the package except as mail matter I must send it per express and to render it a little more valuable to you, I have put in it a copy of my report on [A. K..?Arkansas?] where you will find a catalogue of plants of that country which may be acceptable to you. I am indeed very sorry to put you to some expense for so little value. As soon as I can find the other plants I will send them to you.

 

And please do not believe that you owe me anything; on the contrary, be well assured that the more you put me in the way of being agreeable to you, the more you will oblige.

 

Yours very respectfully

 

L. Lesquereux

 

Received Sept. 2. Wrote him Sept. 4

 

Clinton was noteworthy in not writing on his moss packets the localities the specimen once enjoyed living in, nor the date. Even consultation with his journal and the letters to botanists it is difficult to reconstruct the derivation of many of his specimens. Hypnum adnatum Hedw = Homomallium adnatum (Hedw.) Broth.; Desmatodon arenaceus Sull. et Lesq. = D. obtusifolius (Schwaegr.) Schimp.

 


 

Vol. 1. No. 166 [I 43]

 

Columbus  18th Sept. [18]65

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton  Buffalo

 

The mosses with your different letters of Sept. 4, 5 & 14 have been duly received. I found them here yesterday on my return from New York.

 

In package of Sept. 4th I find two specimens. 1 Hypnum aduncum Hedw. sterile and covered with Diatomeae and Desmidia. N. 2 contains a

 

Fucus, probably a Spongodium. It is undeterminable being glued on both sides to the paper and can not be got but by fragments. Even if the specimen was good I should not be able to correctly name it. I have long ago abandoned the study of the Algae and presented my collection (800 species) of marine and freshwater Fucus to the soldiers fair of Philadelphia. The museum bought it but I do not know if there it may be of some utility to somebody. Except Gray and Engelmann, nobody to my knowledge is interested in a peculiar manner to the Characeae and the Potamophiliae. Formerly I used to send specimens to Prof. Alex Braun of Berlin, but I never got any acknowledgement nor any name for them. And indeed we can not determine much of these plants from the descriptions we have now. I know very little of New York and its surrounding country and never heard of Roubieva [? - see letter below of Allen's Vol.1:185*] On my next passage these I shall make inquiries from some friends and learn if possible the exact position of the place.

 

In the package of Sept. 5 I find.

 

xNo. 1 Bartramia pomiformis! with Cheloscyphus polyanthus (Cord.)? x 2 Bryum caepiticium L. (apparently) too old. x3. Pogonatum brevicaule Brid. - is pretty common. The confervoidal filaments belong to it.

 

x4. Orthotrichum crispulum (Hornsch.)

 

x5. Hypnum serrulatum Hew. Good specimen. If you have more please send. x6. Fontinalis antipyretica var. gigantea This form is scarcely a var. and intermediate between the normal form and the var. x7 Dicranum scoparium var. = D. pallidum Mull.

 

8 Hypnum imponens Hedw.

 

x9 Bryum acuminatum H... & Hrnsch. a very rare species which I found once only and few of it in the Adirondacks. I would be much obliged for plenty of specimens.

 

x10 Hypnum strigosum Hoffm. [?]

 

x11 Hypnum gracile Br. H.... a small form x12 Atrichum angustatum H....

 

x13 Polytrichum formosum Hedw.

 

x14 Hypnum brevirostre B. Eur. (male plants) rarely found in fruit. x15 Jungermannia barbata Schreb.

 

x16 Hypnum laetum Brid.? not ripe enough but most probably this species.

 

This collection for a single place is very interesting and I do not doubt that you will then find many other good things. The conglomerate or millstone-grit sandstone is peculiar for its bryological flora. It furnishes especially the fine Phyllogonia Norvegica never found with us on a formation of another kind. I collected lately a Penn. under fine large tree of Magnolia acuminata, Weissia (Rhabdoweisia) fugax on the same sandstone. It was till now considered as an alpine or rather subalpine species.

 

With your favor of Sept. 10 I find No. 1, 1a, 1b and 3. Hypnum riparium, a small form of a most variable species. N. 2 is still Hypnum riparium but it is mixed with sterile branches of Conomitrium julianum Mont.

 

No. 4 is Didymodon rubellus Bry. Eur. generally rare. It has been found already at Niagara Falls, I think by Th. P. James. Your work in collecting the mosses of your vicinity and of the country around Buffalo is certainly most useful and of service to science. The Niagara country and the woody shores of Lake Erie will give us some new or interesting species which you may be able to find. And indeed I find your list remarkably rich for discoveries of a single year. Amon the mosses of the list, there are a few which I would like to see, having some doubt on their identity. Thus -258 Bartramia Oederi

 

317 Pogonatum brachiphyllum which is a southern species and has never been found till now North of Philadelphia [In margin, written by Clinton "Slip of the pen of Mr. Peck"].

 

366 Leskea rostrata marked ? and which is most common around you, Goat Island.

 

469 Hypnum filicinum? The species is also at Niagara but always sterile

 

there.

 

505 Hypnum rivulare

 

519 H. subtile. A good specimmen in fruit would be acceptable. I got it at Goat Island but too old.

 

I do not know what has become of Dr. Curtis and of Mr Ravenel, both much interested in Fungi. I exchanged much with Mr. Ravenel before 1860 but could not adress him now.

 

Yours very sincerely and truly

 

L. Lesquereux

 

I shall be out of Columbus still for two weeks Shall I return specimens? Recd. Sept. 21 & ansd.

 

Roubieva multifida, Moq. (Gray's 6th p.433), once Chenopodium multifidum, L. Allen's letter "It grieves me not to find Roubieva - I was over to B. again today out around the bye ways and hedges of Bedford but alas no Roub."

 

Thomas Potts James (1803-1882) was born in Pennsylvania, later became invested in a wholesale drug firm in Philadelphia where he spent most of his life until 1867 when he moved or worked in Cambridge, Mass., where he devoted himself more thoroughly to botany. He focused on the study of mosses and collaborated with Lesquereux in authoring the Manual of American Mosses, issued in 1884, two years after James' death.

 

By 1865, Mr. James had already visited and explored Niagara Falls, probably with Lesquereux.

 

At least the Pogonatum brevicaule (now P. pensilvanicum (Hedw.) P.-Beauv.) specimen was collected on Sept. 1 at Salamanca, or in the Big Valley area in Cattaraugus Co. in southwestern New York State. On that day "In ascending, & in the City [Salamanca] collected mosses everywhere." The mosses above are thus a catalogue of the material Clinton collected on that day. At this time Clinton was avidly collecting mosses also for Charles Peck, his protégé in Albany.

 

On Sept. 10, Clinton collected in areas south of Buffalo, along the State Line Rail Road and Smoke's Creek.

 

Hypnum riparium L. ex Hedw. = Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst.

 


 

Vol. 2. No. 4 [D 203]

 

Columbus, O.  Octb. 16th, 1865

 

My dear Sir,

 

Beginning at the tail or by the specimens with your very kind letter of the 13th I find O. Anomodon obtsifolius [B. & F.?] very probably a var. of the same species as it is found sometimes in wet and shady places, sometimes on roc[k]s. Though I am pretty certain of this, I will nevertheless compare it again and definitively report in a few days. Q is Leskea rostrata, male plant most common on rocs, root of trees, &c.

 

About Anomodon viticulosus, you will find it in plenty against a large rock near the base of that footpath descending from Goat Island to the top of the American falls. You know that there are two ways of going there: the broad way by stairs and aside of it, on the right a small slippery foot path on the slope of the Island; it is on this foot path about halfway down that said Anomodon grows. I never found it in America except at this place. James collected it also there, &c: M. Austin writes me about that Riccia found by Miss Waterbury. M. Austin has now taken to the study of the Hepaticae and is more able than myself to decide about the value of a species of this Family. With letter of Octb. 3 mailed 8 I find what you call two common mosses, both sterile. One is Hypnum filicinum, the other Hypnum stellatum. You may have H. nitens in the same swamp. Bryum Muhlenbergii is as you say sterile at the falls (Niagara) may be found there fertile also; more common in cold springs of the mountains; I would like to see a true Didymodon luridus from the falls. Trichostomum (Didymodon) rigidulum Smith. has been found there by Drummond and myself on stones near the base of the falls, Canada side; but D. luridus is still unknown or not discovered for America. Though the fruit of your Didymodon is not ripe, I am pretty sure that it is the D. rubellus.

 

Octb. 7 (letter) contains, X. Fontinalis antipyretica var. gigantea Sull. Y. Hypnum nitens. 3 = Z. Barbula unguiculata too young, on limestone rocks probably. Orthotrichum crispulum without No.  N. 16 Orthotrichum canadense. 2 (same as N. 11) probably undeterminable. I will see and compare. Letter of Octb. 9. Bartramia Oederi, both and very fine variety.

 

With letter of Sept. 29 crying for Help! you have. Orthotrichum anomalum quite different from O. speciosum which grows only on trees while this grows on limestone rocks. 2. is the same. 3 is splendid. Orthotrichum cupulatum? if not something new. I will examine it carefully again & compare. This O. cupulatum is very variable. 4. Orthotrichum strangulatum (as marked). 5 = 3, 6 = also 3.  7. O. Hutschinsiae (right)  8. Orth. anomalum. 9. Orth. crispulum. 5 in brown paper contains two species very small, one unripe. Must be examined very carefully. I wish you had it ripe. Looks fine and perhaps something new. 2 also in brown paper, first specimen loose is O. strangulatum, 2d specimen in paper (white) is O. canadense. They generally grow together.

 

The specimens of your letter of Sept. 29 belong rightly to Fissidens adiantoides as marked by Mr. Peck. The one in paper marked A is probably the same but the specimen is too poor for sure determination.

 

Now I will stop. It is late, I am tired and I think the last will be postponed the examination of the balc. [balance] of your specimens, two packages till I find a few hours more of leisure.

 

Saying like the children

 

Now I lay me down to sleep.

 

I wish you a good night, pleasant dreams and give you my most warm regards.

 

L. Lesquereux

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton

 

Buffalo, N.Y.

 

Recd Oct. 18th, Wrote to him 19th.

 

@On September 29, Clinton sent mosses to Charles Peck and also to Lesquereux (journal), among which the letter Lesquereux refers above.

The day Clinton received Lesquereux' letter, Clinton wrote in his journal: "Oct. 18. Before Breakfast, received letter from W. Lesquereux, giving the precise station of Anomodon viticulosus on Goat Island. Went to Suspension Bridge by 9 A. M. train, mossed at Devil's Hole, turned up to the Falls & to Goat Island and examined the station, but, alas! no Anomodon vit's there!  The Station was on Goat island, on a rock, about halfway down the path leading from the Carriage way to the Bridge to Luna Island, not the Hog's Back path, but the

one above it. There's no rock there. Perhaps the path has been changed since W. L. was there."

 

 


 

Vol. 2. No. 10 [D 197]

 

Columbus O. Octbr. 17th, '65

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton

 

My dear Sir,

 

That little moss sent with letter of Sept. 21 proves to be a very fine and rare species, viz: Seligeria recurvata Br. Eur. Mr. Sullivant has described it in his manual or rather in Gray's manual 2d ed. but I do not know from what specimens, for it is the first time that I see it in America. It is a very good addition to your catalogue of New York mosses. I wish you had found it in plenty. I would have put it in the Musci. I have no doubt that you may find at the same place S. tristicha which generally grows with it. It is still shorter and blackens by its foliage the reversed surface of wet overhanging rocks. Whenever you go to Devil's Hole, please look for it carefully. Mr. Sullivant has found it around Columbus in a kind of grotto limestone which has been destroyed long time ago by the process of quarrying limestone. I could never find it again. In the first package which you sent me with letter of the same date, I find  No. 1. a mixed specimen very poor though one branch bears one unripe fruit. I shall try to find out what it is. But such specimens are deceptive and sometimes a deal of work is uselessly spent upon them. No. 2. is a form which I consider as the American representative of Hypnum revolvens. I give it in the Musci under that name though it is somewhat different from the Norwegian species. It has never been found in fruit, and that is regrettable for the fruit would remove the uncertainty.

 

No. 3 is H. filicinum as you say. The package marked Pylaisaea velutina contains old specimens of P. intricata. Bartramia Oederi is right. I am much obliged for the specimen of Bryum acuminatum and Hypnum serrulatum which both are pretty good.

 

It is all what I have received from you, I think. At least I find nothing more to look at but those specimens which need a more detailed examination and comparison. Please send anything which you desire to have determined or revised.

 

Yours most sincerely

 

  L. Lesquereux

 

I got yesterday a letter of Mr. Peck with a few specimens among which that Orthotrichum anomalum which he considered as O. speciosum. He marks it on trees. Is not this a mistake? your paper are marked on rocks and I have never seen this Orthotrichum but on limestone rocks or boulders. By the bye whenever you want specimens of mosses for comparison or for your own herbarium, then name the species and I will send them. I have always some to spare even of the rarest species, especially European specimens which I do not put in the Musci. Enclosed please find an European specimen of Orthotrichum speciosum, Nees. My American specimens come from the Rocky Mts. I have not seen it from the Atlantic slope.

 

Recd. Oct. 20 & wrote to him.

 

On October 20, Clinton confided in his journal: " I know so little about the mosses & hepaticaceae, that I have not kept my journal of my collections of them. I commenced collecting them this Spring, and have submitted them, as collected to Charles H. Peck, of Albany, &, when he has been in doubt, have applied to Mr. Lesquereux who has, most cheerfully, aided me.

    Down to this date, excluding some 1-3 not yet determined, I have collected of Hepaticaceae, 18 species,  Musci, including a var. in one, 122 species."

    On Oct. 21, Clinton wrote " Went to the Falls, collected Orthotrichum anomalum, for Mr. Lesquereux, from trees in the park [Prospect Park] opposite the Ferry House, also another lighter colored one also, from first tree, what Mr. James thinks is Leskea nervosa.  Crossed the Ferry, & explored up to the Horseshoe Fall, under the cliff, looking specially for Trichostomum rigidulum. Found, on the wet talus, close to the Fall, a sterile moss? which may be it (= A singular conferva [= Alga]).  Recrossed, & walked down the river & took some more Didymodon rubellus.  Ascended the Stairs, went to Goat island, and, commencing at the end of the Bridge, explored the bank all the way down to opposite the middle of the island above Luna Island. Found no rock till I got there - a ridge of the bank, & there, quite close to the bank, was a large rock, in the earth on top of which was an Anomodon which I am confident is not A.  obtusifolius (it turned out to be A. viticulosus.) At the foot of the Cascade, in the water, growing on the rock, more Fissidens grandifrons. Home by the 6* P. M. train." 

  In these letters "the manual" refers to editions of Asa Gray's Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States, the first edition of 1848, the second edition of 1856. Fernald, in his 8th, or 1950 edition of Gray's Manual, indicated, perhaps ambiguously that Sullivant's treatment was included in the first edition, but most people only refer to the second edition treatment. In apparently both editions William Starling Sullivant prepared the treatments of mosses and liverworts, both often collectively treated as "musci." The basis for Sullivant's exsiccat, the Musci alleghanienses issued in 1845 was musci collected "in itinere a Marylandia usque ad Georgiam per tractus montium" made in 1843 (mdcccxliii) in the company of Asa Gray. Sullivant's herbarium and types were left to FH when he died, perhaps accounting for Lesquereux spending much time there after the disposition of Sullivant's estate.]

 

 


 

Vol. 2. No. 19 [D 186]

 

Columbus, O. Octb. 23d  '65

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton

 

My Dear Sir. Your favor of the 21st with the mosses was received this morning and as I had some leisure to day and was examining one species from Mr. Austin, I took yours at the same time and now you will have I think a satisfactory answer about all the doubtful specimens which you sent me. Let me say first that I am sincerely obliged for all the kind words which you write me and always delighted to receive your letters. I am like you an old man. At least I am old and if I understand well what you say about a second childhood you are not young any more. I delight and have always had my greatest enjoyment in friendly letterary or rather epistolary intercourse. For, since more than 35 years I am absolutely deaf, live quite alone, can scarcely speak English a language of which I have never heard a word and have preserved the taste of my youth in such a way that if the second childhood has come, I can not see any difference from what I was formerly. Well. Does not the Divine Book say that we have to become like Children again if we want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is as good a solace of a change as we can well wish to have. Now to mosses. The pointed path near the corner of the stairs in your drawing is just the place where I collected Anomodon viticulosus, the first time when I arrived to America 1848, the second time in 1857. The first time this moss was more abundant than the second and thus it may have been destroyed though it covered a large patch of rock, loose earth and roots. Nevertheless I think that you will find it if you go again that way, after examining the specimen which I send you herewith. There are still some good things in the to day packet.

 

No. 1 is apparently a large var. of Gymnostomum rupestre? Too old. And in this case both the small variety of Gymnostomum curv[irostre] and the large one of G. rupestre are scarcely distinguishable.

 

N. 2. 5. 6. are truly Barbula unguiculata var. apiculata, a variety as common as the normal form. When Mr. Peck has examined some few hundred specimens of this troublesome and variable moss, he will drop his doubts.

 

N. 4 is right and generally grows in water [in Clinton's handwriting "= C... polyanthum"]

 

7 Fissidens grandifrons is fine. I wish you could get it in fruit.

 

[in margin, Clinton's handwriting: "8 = 20 & 29. 9 = 28"]  

 8 & 9 are Bryum cyclophyllum new for America. The inferior leaves of N. 9 are much like those of B. Davallii but the superior ones are obtuse and all have the same areolation as that of N. [?] I would like to have plants of this species and if you could detect some fruiting specimens next summer It would be a very valuable discovery.

 

[in margin, Clinton's handwriting: "10 = 30"]

No. 10 is Hypnum giganteum Schp. formerly considered as a var. of H. cordifolium but now separated rightly.Could you without too much trouble collect a great many good specimens for me, like those which you send, you would ablige me very much. The species is given in the Musci. But the number of specimens in hand is very small. I collected it at Milwaukee. James has it from Penna.

 

[in margin: "11=34, 35, 36"]  

 No. 11 May be what you say as well as anything else. There is about a score of species of Bryum with the same leaves and areolation and nothing in this section can be said fromleaves. As the determination can thus be a matter of mere guessing, I would say: Bryum bimum var. because this species is the most common. 

 

[in margin: "12 = 38, 39"]

No. 12 is apparently H. uncinnatum No. 3 & No. 13 may belong both to Fontinalis Lescurei. Fontinalis can not be determined from leaves only. They are hard enough with fruit.

 

I am most obliged for Seligeria recurvata May be we will add a supplement and put this with the Musci. The specimens are good enough.

 

Very sincerely yours

 

L. Lesquereux

 

That No. P. with letter of 18th is truly Anomodon obtusifolius.

 

Recd. Oct. 25.

 

Hypnum cordifolium Hedw. = Calliergon cordifolium (Hedw.) Kindb.

 

Coe Finch Austin (1831-1880) resided in Closter, New Jersey. The following letter to Clinton from Austin gives some idea of the relations between the various bryologists at this moment in time:

 

Vol. 2. No. 108 [D 122]

                        Closter, N. Jersey, Dec. 17th, 1865

Dear Sir:

    Your kind letter of 13th inst. is at hand. The enclosed specimen is what I call Plagiochila porelloides.

    You have been rightly informed concerning my speciality. And, I shall not quarrel with Mr. Lesquereux for considering my decision on Hepaticae as being more reliable than his own, from the fact that he writes me that he has given up entirely the study of these plants. I am well aware however that I have yet to learn much, very much, before I can consider myself a first rate Hepaticologist. I am even unable to determine satisfactorily to myself a number of species which I find about here. And then I am in constant receipt of specimens from various sources, and cannot always determine tham all satisfactorily.

    Your kind offer to assist me is gratefully accepted as I find myself in great want of help, and this you can do by simply sending me good specimens [of anything] in the Hepaticae line which you get hold of at the least if you cannot get time to study them first for yourself, even. For what I most lack is plenty of good specimens from every available source.

    Concerning Prof. Pickett's plant I cannot make out your name.

    I have found about here some four or five Ricciae new to this country, probably some of them n. sp. also one new Jungermannia (J. microscopica notis [??] & J. pumilla, Liochlaena lanceolata, Alicularia scalaris, Lunularia vulgaris (gound in Conservatories), Grimaldia varbifer, Radula    sp? &c. and I have some new Riccias from California &c. Can you get me a specimen of Prof. Pickett's plant?

    I first found Callitriche Austinii on Staten Island on dry hilly ground in shady byways in June 1861. I afterwards saw it in the N. Y. S. Coll. as C. verna var. terrestris, by Dr. Torrey. It is plenty here on damp, [rocky?], shady, hilly ground.

    I found Solidago speciosa at Haarlem N.Y. in Sept. 1861.

    I collect & study mosses as well as Hepaticae, but do not make them so much of a specialty, yet I have spent much more time on them than on the others.

    Mr. Peck occasionally divides with me when he gets a good thing from you, in this way I have got hold of several things I have not before seen.

    Very truly yours

        Coe F. Austin

Hon. G. W. Clinton, Esq.

Recd. Dec. 20 ansd Jan. 16

  

 


 

Vol. 2. No. 20 [D 185]

 

Columbus O. Octb. 24th, 1865

 

Hon.G. W. Clinton, Buffalo

 

This time you have hit it. No. 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 are Anomodon viticulosus. I did not recollect if the stone was loose or in place but I know that there was a large block of limestone whose face was covered with this moss. No. 13 is Anomodon attenuatus.

 

No. 12, No. 2 Orthotrichum anomalum I have never seen it on trees. But it is certainly the species.

 

No. 3 Orthotrichum strangulatum. Sull.

 

No. 4 is not Leskea nervosa. This has reflexed margins and a much more strong nerve. It is more likely Leskea obscura or rather Leskea Polycarpa.

 

No. 5 is still unertain. It is not the same as the one you sent formerly and from the peristome (as much as I can see it from poor specimens) is referable to Didymodon luridus. I think it is. But I have not found the male flowers yet. Have you any better specimens? I will look to it again tomorrow when all the specimens are well softened and cleaned.

 

6 is a fine Conferta, looks like [Lyngbya] but I can not determine it.

 

7 a Psora (Funginea) don't know the species. Probably Psora rosea.

 

8 & 9 Fissidens grandifrons

 

I return you the specimen marked a [=A] which you sent formerly and considered as Leskea nervosa. You will see that it is quite different from your No. 4

 

I found Dicranum montanum in fruit (1848) near the upper end of Goat Island on a log (decayed) of pine. In 1856 or 57 I looked for it again and found it only sterile. It grows on rotten pine or spruce trunks in the shade. Most common in the mountains of New York but rare at Goat island Bryum turbinatum grows on constantly permeated rocks and stones near the base of the chasm. You may find it in going from the landing (Canada side) along the river at the base of the rocs toward the Horseshoe falls. Hypnum sprucei grows on loose stones top of the island in the woods between both falls in passing from one to the other without following any path.  Trichostomum rigidulum at the same places as Bryum turbinatum.

 

I will try and write more to morrow

 

Respy sincerely yours

 

L. Lesquereux

 

Recd. Oct. 26

 

I have just got your letter of yesterday. Will answer to morrow.

 

Lyngbya C. Agardh is a blue-green alga. Note Lesquereux frequently spells 'rock' as 'roc' and Rostock, Germany, 'Rostoc.'

 

In Clinton's journal for Oct. 24: " By 9 A. M. train, to Lewiston, mossed  thereabouts, walked up railroad to where it leaves the bank of the river, & there descended to the river, & walked on, struggled up to Devil's Hole , mossed there, collected more Seligeria recurvata, walked up to Suspension Bridge, got there at 4*45' P.M., took the 5*50' train for home."

 


 

Vol. 2. (also No. 20) [D 184]

 

Columbus O. Octb. 25th, 1865

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton

 

My dear Sir. That moss which I considered with doubt as Didymodon rubellus is decidedly its next neighbour a far rarer species and, if I do not mistake, not yet found in the E. U.S. Desmatodon [he probably meant Didymodon?] luridus Br. Eur. I succeeded in finding a pretty good peristome and then could satisfactorily decide the question. Nevertheless this moss of yours has longer leaves than the European species. It is a variety and for this reason it would be very good if you could find any better specimens. The capsules of the last ones have been mostly destroyed by water or insects, I do not know which else, they would be ripe just now. I do not wish to give you trouble in any way but if you go to the same place please use your very good eyes and try to get more of this species. Now you must be quite proud about your success. Seligeria recurvata, Bryum cyclophyllum, Didymodon luridus, three stars. Well! This makes you a Leutenant General in the Moss regiment. Your love for science is admirable and you have with extraordinary perseverance very good eyes. I hope that you have not gone to the end of your ribbon and that we will see something more of you yet.

 

I am extremely much obliged for Seligeria. I will look to the different form tomorrow. That Didymodon has taken me much time. But I do not believe that you have yet more than one species of Seligeria. S. tristicha is still smaller than your smallest specimen. Desmatodon arenaceus is a most variable species. On the shale it makes fine velvet green carpets on some rocks and when exposed to the sun becomes larger yellowish of a coarser texture and abundantly fructifying, thus presenting such another aspect. But the moss which you sent me the first time with Seligeria was not a Desmatodon but some Leskea. I did not try to determine it as it has not any fruit.

 

I do not think that you made any mistake with your Orthotrichum except perhaps concerning the place of growth. No Orthotrichum could be determined as O. speciosum but that O. anomalum. O. speciosum does not grow around you, only in the mountains. But, I think that except for the specimens which you have the kindness to collect for me, it would be better to return you all these which you sent for examination. They are useless to me; I put them out of the way and as I have no memory whatever it rarely happens that I can find them just when I want them or when they are called for. On the other hand I am perfectly certain to find all those useless things in my way whenever I do not want them at all. It is peculiar that that Barbula of yours has just the leaves obtusely pointed [tiny sketch] as Mr. Peck marks it in his drawing and not at all linear lanceolate or lanceolate pointed as in the second form. But should you take a stem and examine the leaves from the base you would find on the same plant all the forms marked in the sketch which you sent me. We could have and you could find Barbula fallax. But till now we have it only from California. As for the habitat of Barbula unguiculata it is mostly on limestone, limestone rocks, mortar made from lime on bridges, &c., limestone gravel, lime clay, lime black earth &c, &c. as all the most variable species this one is most diversified in habitat.

 

Yours very truly

 

L. Lesquereux

 

Recd. Oct. 26.

 

 "In the herbarium of the University of Colorado is a specimen labeled  Bryum clintonii Aust. from Buffalo, N.Y. (without indication of collector). It belongs to B. cyclophyllum [which the authors speculate might be a synonym of B. clintonii published by Austin, Bot. Gaz. 1:30 in 1876]. Whether it can be considered a part of the type collection of B. clintonii remains uncertain. The name was not accounted for in Lesquereux and James' Manual or in Grout's Moss Flora. However, Lesquereux and James cited a Clinton collection of B. cyclophyllum from "stones wet by spray at Niagara Falls: - in other words, at or near Buffalo - as well as a Pennsylvania collection made on wet rocks by James." Crum, H. & L. E. Anderson, 1981, Vol.1 p.553, Mosses of Eastern North America, Columbia U. Press.

 


 

Vol. 2. No. 27 [D 176]

 

Columbus O, Octb. 28th, 1865