210 Rhodora [Octobxb 



his acquisition, and wished to know what it was. I took one of the specimens 

 bome for examination, and found it to be Magnolia glauca — a most unex- 

 pected inhabitant of our region. J. I).' 



The above is a marginal note, written by Judge John Davis, of 

 Boston, in his copy of the first edition of Bigelow's ' Florida Bostonien- 

 sis' (a presentation copy to 'Judge Davis from his friend and serv't, 

 the author') on the page where the Magnolia is described." 



In Dr. Cutler's Diary occurs the following: 



"July 28, 1806. Monday. 



Hon Theopbilus Parsons informed me by letter last evening that 

 he had found the Magnolia glauca in a swamp on the road from 

 Manchester to Gloucester. 1 set out in search of it. Dined at 

 Captain Ingolson's, at Kettle Cove, where Mr. Goldsmith brought. 

 me a tree of it, without knowing I was in search of it. Found it in 

 plenty, in two swamps on the new read [sic] to the left. 



Went to Fresh-Water Cove, near the harbor of Gloucester, made a 

 large botanical collection, and returned." 



We are fortunate in having a much fuller account of this discovery 

 in the Life, Journals and Correspondence of Rev. Manasseh Cutler, 

 L.L.I), (published in Cincinnati, in 1SSS, by Robert Clarke & Co.). 

 The following letter from Judge Parsons to Dr. Cutler, written in 

 July, 1X00, I will quote entire. 



Reverend and Dear Sir: 



In riding through the woods in Gloucester, that are between Kettle-Cove 

 and Fresh-Water Cove I discovered a flower to me quite new and unexpected 

 in our forests. This was last Tuesday week [July 22, 1S06]. A shower 

 approaching prevented my leaving the carriage for examination, but on my 

 return, on Friday last, I collected several of the flowers, in different stages, 

 with the branches and leaves, and on inspection it is unquestionably the 

 Magnolia glauca. Mr. Epes Sargent has traversed these woods for flowers 

 and not having discovered it, supposes it could not have been there many 

 years. It was unknown to the people of Gloucester and Manchester until I 

 showed it to them. 1 think you have traversed the same woods herborising. 

 Did you discover it? If not, how long has it been there? It grows in a swamp 

 on the western or left side of the road as you go from Manchester to ( lloueester, 

 and l)efore you come to a large hill over which the road formerly passed. It 

 is so near the road as to be visible even to the careless eye of the traveler. 

 Supposing the knowledge of this flower, growing so far north, might gratify 

 you, I have made this hasty communication. 



Your humble servant, 



Theoph. Parsons. 

 Rev. Dr. Cutler. 



