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ILLEGIBLE

CAMBRIDGE, MASS., October 12, 1885

C. E. Bessey

DEAR SIR:
The coming 18th day of November marks Dr. Asa Gray's seventy-fifth birthday. It seems a fitting time for te botanists of North America to join in some token of their esteem and good wishes for one who had sone so muc towards the study and classifications of the flowering plans and the general advancement of the botany of this country. Many memorials have been have been presented to Dr. Gray but most of them have come from near and personal frieds. The idea of this one originates with those further away.

It is not decided what form this memorial will take, and we should be glad to recieve any suggestions. The intrinsic value of it will, of course, be of least account in the eyes of te recipiet; its value will depend chiefly upon the number who unite in the offering.

Will you join with other botaists in sending such a token to Dr. Gray? If so, send at once whatever you wish to contribute - 25c., 50,.. $1, $5, any sum you please - to Charles R. Barnes, 14 Buckingham St., Cambridge, Mass., who will return receipt if desired. Please also enclose your card with some sentiment suitable to the day inscribed thereon. This will accompany the gift.

In order that this matter may ot reach the public prints be kid enough to say nothing about it.

The time is very short; will you give this your immediate attention and make a reply of some kind?

Sincerely yours,

J. C. ARTHUR,
C. R. BARNES,
J. M. COULTER.