Charles Bessey, Letters, 1888-1890

Original in the New York Botanical Garden Library, Bronx, New York

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE.

LINCOLN, NEB., March 1st., 1890. 18

Dr. N.L. Britton,

Columbia College, New York,

My Dear Doctor:

I have a question to ask. In the Catalogue of plants in the vicinity of New York City, published by the Torrey Botanical Club, you made a number of changes in the specific names of plants. For example, you have changed Phragmites communist of Trinius, to Phragmites vulgaris, thus restoring the specific name given by Lamarck. Now the serious question comes whether we are to write this Phramites vulgaris (Lam.) Britton, as I observe that some writers are doing, or are we to quote, in place of your name, some other fellow, or set of fellows? Are we to use some contraction of the names of the three committee men, Sterns, Britton and Poggenburg? Be kind enough to reply at your earliest convenience.

This is not written in joke, but we have before use the serious problem of doing a thing in the right way, and in this case I confess we do not know how. I hope that your name alone is to appear, for that is euphonious and all that sort of thing, but I must confess to a sort of shudder when I think of the possibility of having to put in all the names of the committee-men.

Very truly, Charles E. Bessey (signature)

Original in the New York Botanical Garden Library, Bronx, New York

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE LINCOLN, NEB, MARCH 8TH., 1890s

Dr.N.D.Britton,

Columbus College, New York

Mr Dear Doctor:

Thanks for information repecting citation of autnorities. The citation of three initials only will not be so bad. We can stand that and, as you say, it is no worse than H.B.K. and other cases.

As to your inquiry- I can state positively that Coptis does not occur in Nebraska, unless possibly we may eventually find it in that odd northwest region, the Niobrara Valley.

Very truly, Charles E. Bessey [Signature]

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA: DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY. CHARLES E. BESSEY.

LINCOLN, Dec.4, 1890. 189 Dr.N.D.Britton, Columbia College, New York City; Mr Dear Doctor: I have your letter of Dec. 1, and will say that within a few days I can send you a packet containing a number of species of Psoralea, and some of Lupinus. As to Astragalus I am not so sure whether I can furnish you with material which can be of value or not. That species is such a bad one that I dislike to work with it. Our species of Psoralea are in need. I am sure, of a thorough revision. A student of mine, Mr. Rydberg, who made some collections in the section part of the State during the summer, has been studying over out species, and I will enclose in the packet the notes he has made, Mr.Rydberg is a Swede who graduated from one of the Swedish colleges, and hs been for several years in this country. He is now spending a year with us, and is devoting considerable time to botany. You will find his notes quite instructive.

I am quite confident that, in some cases at least, species have been combined where they are, in fact, distinct. The notes by Mr. Rydberg, however, will bring this out, and I need to speak of it par ticularly here.

Original in the New York Botanical Garden Library, Bronx, New York

N. L. B. - 2

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

LINCOLN 189

I am very glad to know that you will have Dr.Morong in your herbarium. I have never met him, but hope to do so in the not distant future, when I pass through New York City.

I am very busy, and cannot stop to say some things which I should like to. With kindest regards to Mrs.Britton, I am,

Very truly yours,

Charles E. Bessey [Signature]

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

LINCOLN Dec.11, 1890. 189

Dr.N.L.Britton, Columbia College, New York City; My Dear Doctor: I send yo today an express package containing a few specimens of Psoralea, Potalostemon, and Lupinus, Of the first there are seven species, and in this letter I enclose Mr.Rydberg's critical notes upon them. You must make some allowance for Mr. Rydberg's English, as he has been in this courty but a short time, and has not yet sompetely mastered the English language, I told you of Mr. Rydberg- that he has been studying with me, and is, I think, doing very good work.

Of the second genus there are five species included in the pack age, and I aslo enclose Mr. Rydberg's notes on these. On opening the package be kind enough to nore that in one part of it I have inclided Mr. Rydberg's specimens, and some selected from the University herba ruim, which you are to keep for the College herbarium, if you chose, while in the other part of the package I have enclosed specimens taken from the herbarium for your study, butthese are to be returned when you have completed your work. Be kind enough to see that the speci mens are not lost or mixed up with others.