58 MR. DRUMMOND’S COLLECTIONS. 
Catalogue. There is another plant, too, that I am much in- 
terested about, (my No. 7,) and it is probably the Silphium 
gummiferum of Elliott, (undoubtedly, and a most stately plant 
of its order. H.) No. 54 is a singular water-plant, floating on 
the surface, after the manner of Lemna, but I do not know to 
what Order it belongs; (this was the curious Azolla Carolini- 
ana.)—In the box you will find a basket containing some 
Shells,* but they are not arranged, and are merely as I col- 
lected them, after having removed the inhabitants. I intended 
to have sent the Seeds which I have gathered with this parcel ; 
but, upon consideration, I shall defer them till the next oppor 
tunity, as the damp arising from the living plants might injure 
them. I have between two or three hundred kinds, such a$ 
they are. Indeed I consider myself unfortunate in the route I 
have pursued; there being very little variation in the plants 
of the Mississippi about St. Louis, from those of the more 
northern territories. I flattered myself all along, that, when 
I reached that place, I should be in the Prairie country; but 
there is nothing of the kind: the woods consisting of stunted 
Oak, with very few other timber-trees. On the Illinois side 
of the river is something like a Prairie, which is called the 
* American Bottom." The Silphium (gummiferum) formerly 
mentioned, was the most interesting plant I found there: but 
the country is so unhealthy, that there are few settlers in it 
although it is of great extent, and the richest land I have seen. 
Fever and ague are universal about St. Louis, not one out of 
fifty escaping, either among natives or strangers. "The first 
appearance of a change of vegetation, at least in the forest- 
trees, takes place about the mouths of the Ohio; Cupressus 
( Taxodium, Rich.) disticha here making its first appearance; 
and, as you descend the river, this tree becomes covered with 
NEED d 
»* This and those afterwards sent from New Orleans, proved to be à 
tolerably extensive and very interesting collection of land and fresh-watet 
shells of the more Southern States, of which a complete set is preserved : 
in the Andersonian Museum in Glasgow. 
