64 PETER COLLINSON [1734-5. 



seeds as thee marks in the sheet where the specimen is, only writing 

 under it the country name. So, once a year, return me the quire 

 of whited-brown paper, with the dried specimens tied fast between 

 two broad boards ; and then I will send some more in their room. 

 When the sheet of paper will hold it, put one, two, or three speci- 

 mens of the same plant in the same sheet, so they will but lie 

 smooth by each other. 



Besides, what I have further to propose, per this method, is, thy 

 own improvement in the knowledge of plants ; for thou shalt send 

 me another quire of duplicates of the same specimens ; I will get 

 them named by our most knowing botanists, and then return them 

 again, which will improve thee more than books ; for it is impos- 

 sible for any one author to give a general history of plants. Let 

 the specimens be of the length of the paper. 



Thee canst not think how well the little case of plants came, 

 being put under the captain's bed, and saw not the light till I went 

 for it ; but then, Captain Wright had a very quick passage ; and 

 it was put on board in a right month, for when plants are down in 

 the ground, and in the winter months, they may be stowed any- 

 where ; but it must not be attempted any time this side Christmas. 



The warmth of the ship, and want of air, had occasioned the 

 Skunk-weed to put forth two fine blossoms, very beautiful ; but it 

 is of the Arum genus. The Sedum is a very rare pretty plant, 

 the leaves finely veined ; it came very fresh and green. Thy herb 

 Twopence was very acceptable. I have had it, formerly, but I lost 

 it. It is a pretty plant. 



The Cane-wood is pretty common in our gardens. It goes, 

 here, by the name of the Virginian Guelder Rose \_Spircea opuli- 

 folia, L. ?~\. The two laurels were very fresh and lively ; and the 

 shrub honeysuckles, which I have had formerly from South Caro- 

 lina, flower very fine, but in two or three years went off. Neither 

 our soil nor climate agreed with it ; but yours, perhaps, from the 

 northward, may do better. The laurel and shrub honeysuckle are 

 plants I much value. 



I wish, at a proper season, thee would procure a strong box, 

 two feet square, and about fifteen or eighteen inches deep, but a 

 foot deep in mould will be enough ; then collect half a dozen 

 Laurels, and half a dozen shrub Honeysuckles, and plant in this box ; 

 but be sure make the bottom of the box full of large holes, and 

 cover the holes with tiles, or oyster-shells, to let the water drain 



