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Herbarium of Harvard University, Botanic Garden, Cambridge, Mass. Aug. 12 1880.
My Dear Bessey
I am much obliged for your Botany. It is very creditable, and I see has given you a world of work. It has been [?] by [rain?] a few days, and I have been trying to trim the [?], but have found time only for a rapid glance. I should like to [?] a portion of it in [?] [?] [?] – but it is doubtful if I shall be [?]. Perhaps you [??] 3 weeks I am to sail for Europe – for a
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rather long visit – + where I have a good deal of work to do. Every moment till I go must now be given to a Report on [?] [?] Botany, which I promised Dr. [Stagders?] long ago + which must now be done — tho I ought never to have promised it. It will be a tight squeeze to get it off my hands – I will [?] your book and if I get a little time to consider it, I may say something of it. Otherwise I must leave it for [?] – who is half-overwhelmed with [?]
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Haines
Davis City, Iowa, Sept. 1st 1880.
Prof. C. E. Bessey,
Dear Sir —
Wishing to get a microscope, I write to you for information. I desire to have a fair instrument; one that will magnify fame 200 to 250 diameters. Perhaps you have some on [lines?] which you would like to dispose of. If so, I would as soon have it as to order a new one.
As I am going to study physiology, I would also feel [sic.] grateful to you [sic.] for your opinion as to its relative merits of [Carpenter's?], [Draper's?], + Dalton's, Physiologies.
I will be at this place during the fact and [write?] in the ca
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-pacity of pedagogué. Hoping I do not [?] you too often, any information you may communicate will be gratefully acknowledged and highly appreciated.
I remain with respect, Yours Truly, J. [Cotaines?]
P.S. Would also be pleased in regard to information concerning the Microscopical Society, whose headquarters – during my last [?] at [Ames?] – was at Albany N. Y.
Yours Truly, J. [Cotaines?]