Washington and Jefferson College,
Washington, Pa. March 9, 1891
Prof. Charles E. Bessey,
Dear Sir:
I send in this mail two vials one with alcoholic the other with water specimens of vegetable organisms obtained from melted snow said to have been of a red color, in description of which I sent to the "Naturalist" some time ago. Prof. Cope has just reported to me that you think there is too much doubt as to the connection of the organisms with the reddish coloration of the snow to allow of the article's being published in the "Naturalist." I admit the justness of the criticisms but think you must have misapprehended the article somewhat. I thought the matter deserving of some notice and attempted merely to describe what I found in the water furnished me for examination without expressing an opinion as to whether the plant was a red snow plant or not. In fact I would hardly presume to express an opinion in such a case as my specialty lies quite outside of Botany.
The alcoholic specimen was prepared when the material was first submitted to me. The other has been standing on my desk since then and while kept in a closed bottle most of the time may have had dust and other vegetable organisms introduced from the air. The young man who saw the snow, collected the specimen and furnished the data is a Junior in the college entirely trustworthy, and not likely to be deceived in ordinary cases.
I am sorry to occasion you any trouble but if you can take the time to look at the material I shall be much indebted to you.
Very truly,
Edwin Linton.
