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Gerards specimen and give my opinion concerning their identity. Gerards species was published in April, B & C's in Dec. of 1874 giving Gerards name priority in case they are the same.
Of the specimens sent, P. [pulchella?] is very near P. R[ibis?] DC but has spores smaller and smoother. It may be only a variety. I still retain it however as distinct.
P. Osmorrhizae C & P is the fungus given in 25th Report as P. Myrrhis [?]., under which name its decription (not very accurate) will be found.
Will hand your note to Dr. Murray, secy. of the Regents.
Very truly Yours
Chas. H. Peck.
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Putnam
Dec 21st /81.
Prof Bessey Dear Sir
I am not unmindful of your request in your [sympathies?] letter but you must be aware that I have endured much within the last three month having been permitted the [?] privalege of [?]ing to the evey wish of my beloved son & being his sole nurse day & night & also [witnessing?] the most intense [suffring?] unable to aleviate it – & [still?] when the blow came it seemed unexpected & was now the less [severe?] [that?] it had been dreaded for [?] long [?] —
I may write you some
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notes when I have a little [?] [?] you on our daily paper of the 11th 12th 13th & 14th. [We?] [leave?/have?] you [accss?] to the [Bot.?] [?] of Iowa [there?] is a sketch of my beloved son [?] as to [?]. I will try & give you some items as to the great work of his life the original investigations & microscopical work & his publishing the Proceedings of the Acad. which was done at a fearful sacrifice of health & labor & money but no more now.
I hope the [?] will [?] his labor for the advancement of [?] science his life of permits & [?]
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is a benediction to all who witnessed it. To me the loss is irreparable. He was my counselor, my pride my glory. God only knows how I suffer in his loss. I would willingly have laid down my life to have saved his – & it is hard to say "Gods will be done." Yet — I would not see him suffer as he did — so [uncomplaning?] – so [?] to the very end & not for one instant was his glorious intelect clouded. He spoke to me even as his [?] was taking its flight & said "How long can this last"
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The Acad. hold a memorial [?] Jan 3rd or 6th. I dont know which if you could [write something?] for that occasion it would be very acceptable, no doubt. His works stance his [?] monument – but the great work of his life is still in M. S. S. & I hardly know how to handle it. —
Yours in deepest affliction [W.? L.?] D. Putnam
Prof. Bessey – Ames –