world is such drought felt, if we except the deserts of Arabia, Egypt, and the plains of Ispahan; and what we know of these countries on this point is vague and imperfect, the senses being generally the test. Frequently have I sunk the internal thermometer of Daniell's hygrometer many degrees below zero, until the ball of the instrument was clothed with hoar-frost, and not the smallest particle of moisture could, on the most accurate scrutiny, be detected! My Meteorological Journal is, I trust, complete, and should such be wanted, will furnish ample data for an essay on this beautiful country.
Not having received any letter from England, I can not definitively state what will be the direction of my future journey. Should I receive no fresh orders, I shall, as I stated before leaving [for?] home, proceed to the northward of the Columbia, skirting the western flanks of the Rocky Mountains, as far as convenience and safety will allow, and endeavor to reach the sea to the westward, to some of the Russian Establishments, or return by the same route, as may appear most desirable. On this point I shall be able to inform you in my next.
I have had two most kind letters from Baron Wrangel, Governor of the Russian Territories in America and the Aleutian Islands, to whom I was made known through the Russian Minister at the Court of London. In his first he writes thus, which I know it will be pleasant to you to know, as it is highly agreeable to me: "J'ai appris avec une vive joie vôtre intention de faire une tournée dans nos environs. Soyez sûr, Monsieur, que jamais visite ne m'a été plus agréable, et que des bras ouverts vous attendent à Sitka. Si vous avez l'intention de retourner en Europe, par la Siberie, je puis vous assurer qu'au mois de Mai de l'année prochaine, vous pourrez commodement aller sur un de nos navires à Okotsk, où, d'après des nouvelles que je viens d'aprendre, on vous a dejà preparé un gracieux accueil. " This is more than kind, and the facilities offered for May, 1832, of course hold good for ensuing years. This letter was accompanied by a copy of a volume published in 1829, Recueil des Actes de l'Académie de St. Petersbourg, containing some very interesting accounts of the Russian expeditions to Mount Ararat; also an outline of Mertens' labors with Captain Lutke's Pendulum and Experiments made during his voyage. The Baron wrote me a second letter, and being fearful that I might not have received his first, took care to give me the same information, backed with additional assurances of his good will. I have had the advantage of seeing Cyrill Klebinkoff, Chief Director of the Russian-American Fur Company, an excellent man, who has great claims on my gratitude, as well as several Officers of the Imperial Navy. Indeed, they seem to be a set of people whose whole aim is to make you happy. You have my best thanks for replying to Dr. Fischer of St. Petersburgh; I shall write to him when opportunity offers.
1 have a great desire to become better acquainted with the vegeta-
