to the editor of the "bonplandia.".

Berlin, 22nd August, 1854.

I have been long desirous, esteemed sir, to give you some proof of gratitude for the honour you have conferred on my friend and companion of travels, M. Bonpland, by taking his name for the title of your interesting journal.

The advantages which our science has obtained through our expedition to the tropical parts of America, is solely due to that indefatigable, serene, and never discouraged naturalist, and his free--free, because noble mind. I have collected many plants, described a few, depicted some, as is stated on the plates of the Plantes Equinoxiales.

Your readers will, no doubt, be pleased with the translation of some of his letters, which I have made under a pressure of labour, in a very troublous period.

They possess no great scientiflc import, but exhibit a lively picture of the individual position of a meritorious man; of the tardy hopes, in fine, which his imagination still cherishes at auch great age.

A. v. Humboldt.