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Biographical Sketch.
Somerville, Mass., 188 .
Dear
The undersigned is preparing for publication the genealogy of the Ambrose Family of New England.
The early generations have already been established from authoritative records and of whom you are assumed to be a descendant.
In order to expediate this work, will you please, so far as you are able, fill in the answers to the accompanying series of questions, giving names and dates in full, and return the same at an early date.
John L. Ambrose.
518
Pawnee City, Nebr. May 4, 1887.
Prof. C. E. Bessey; Lincoln Nebr
Sir. Allow me to return thanks for your kindness in assisting me. I make a [stray?] of what is popularly termed [?]. I find I am unable to analyze it, and request that you assist us in its identification. The number of stamens prevents our classing it with the true [?], and the nearest approach we can make to its true order is [Oricaceae?].
519
In "hypoxys" the proper genus for the small grass flowers which are quite common upon our prairies? The flowers vary from blue to white or cream in color, have a six-lobed [?] ovary inferior, flowers in clusters of about four, each, enclosed in an involucre of one chaffy bract. The above description is from memory but I trust it is not misleading, and sufficient for your identification.
I trust my ignorance may not prove annoying to you.
Respectfully Yours Jennie Atkinson. Pawnee City, Nebr.
520
Pawnee City, Nebr May [?], 1887
Prof. C. E. Bessey, Lincoln.
Sir: Your favor of the 5th rec'd, and its answer deferred in the hope of finding a full line of speciemns. But is is a little late for the violet here, and I have been unable to find the number I desire. Will send others if I can find them. We have in the yellow violet, only one variety, and that is rare: have seen only one blossom this year. In violets with flowers cyanic, we have at least five [sic.] varieties, reducible (according to