Description

Description

Hooker's letter grieved and astonished Engelmann. He admits that Geyer 'behaved rather mean' towards him, but thought his conduct might be better with Hooker. Engelmann relates Geyer's movements since arriving in New York around 1834. They met in St Louis; Engelmann liked his zeal for botany. Nicollet engaged Geyer for an expedition in 1838. He received a good wage, but lived extravagantly and got into debt. Nicollet told of his bad behaviour on expeditions. Later, Lieutenant Fremont took Geyer on an expedition in Ioway [Iowa] but complained of his laziness and refused to take him to the Rocky mountains in 1842. Engelmann describes the assistance he gave Geyer, who was deeply in debt. In 1843 he persuaded Sir William Grant to take Geyer on an expedition to the mountains. Engelmann obtained a loan to equip Geyer and agreed to be repaid in dried plants. Engelmann later received conflicting letters from Geyer, the final one coming from the Sandwich islands in 1844 saying he was heading to England and would repay his debts. He has not heard from Geyer since. Engelmann is glad Hooker likes Lindheimer's plants; he has recently been near San Antonio and the Guadaloupe River. He hopes Hooker received the enumeration of Lindheimer's plants sent by Gray and gives a few corrections. He advises Hooker how best to send money and lists the amounts owed for plant specimens. The value of the seeds and cacti he leaves to Hooker. Engelmann discusses Geyer's conduct further. He has heard nothing of Lüders. As to botanists, he is still alone there. Captain Fremont is collecting further west: he has an interesting collection from Upper Arkansas and is about to go to California. Lindheimer is about to go into the interior of Texas, but hostile Indians may prevent this. Dr Wislizenus will go in spring to Santa Fe, Mexico, California and Oregon and has offered to collect plants and seeds. Engelmann would be glad to see Hooker's Cuscutae; he has received some from A. Braun of Carlsruhe. He has not yet been able to get Humboldt's South American and Mexican species. Page 1 of 6.