From Ludwig Molendo and Alexander Walther   5 August 1868

Most honoured Sir!

It is a slight tribute paid by gratitude to instruction, when we send a trifling essay to the Reformator of Natural Philosophy, not without the hope that it may find a kind reception.

The inclosed book contains in its third part a slight investigation in your great theory, as far as we tried to apply its principles to the spreading about of the different species of moss.¹

You yourself, most honoured Sir, have repeatedly encouraged to such investigations.

Until now no greater trial has, at least in Germany, been made to apply these principles to Kryptogames;² and this one is also only a precursor; for Mr Molendo’s next work is devoted to the so-called law of migration, in which we do not see a new principle and, as to the long isolation—not one which is every where valid.³

We think that this first fruit of a branch of Botany, which until now was steril, may not be altogether unworthy of coming into your hands; as the study of your ideas has riprened it. But whether the fruit is indeed already ripe authors seldom know.

Also the Polygamic species were particularly taken into consideration and shall, in future, be subjected to more particular investigations.⁴ They seem to explain in a natural way certain cases of near affinity.

Our German Bryologians will, withhout doubt, attack this our way of considering the matter, and they are welcome to do so.

With the assurance of the highest consideration we are, most honoured Sir, yours very obedient servants | L. Molendo. | A. Walther