Lewis C Beck And John Torrey Correspondence

Correspondence from Lewis C. Beck to John Torrey, dated 1819, discussing the particulars of where he found a specimen which Torrey informed him might be a new species. Beck laments his lack of books on botany and despairs of being able to learn more on the subject. He also asks Torrey if he has a book on fish he might borrow, and assures him he would be happy to accept any specimens Torrey should see fit to send him. He speculates on what it might take to produce a complete botany of the United States, and who might be up to the task.