g2 PETER COLLINSON [1736-7. 



opinion ; and by an ingenious letter from a curious person in your 

 city, their opinion is very much confirmed. But on the other side 

 of the question, I have received from my ingenious friends, J. 

 Breintnall and Doctor Witt, very particular accounts of the 

 power it has over creatures, by charming them into its very jaws. 

 Possibly some accidental discovery may be made, when it is least 

 thought on. It will require a nice and exact observation to deter- 

 mine this matter. If thee knows anything of thy own knowledge, 

 please to communicate it. The hearsay of others can't be de- 

 pended on. The common and long-received opinion of charming, 

 is so riveted in people's imagination, that unless they will divest 

 themselves of it, they may not easily distinguish to the contrary. 



Pray has thee heard, or observed, that a certain species of 

 locust returns every fifteenth year ? I have been informed of such 

 a thing from New England. 



I want very much to be satisfied about the Sugar Maple, as to 

 its flowers, if they are white, as thee has informed me before. 

 Please, in the spring, to gather some specimens when in flower, 

 and send me, and be very particular in thy remarks on it. 



We have raised a pretty many fine plants from the tree in the 

 Jerseys. It is a real Lotus or Nettle tree [Celtis occidentalism L.], 

 and is a native of your part of the world ; is found in Virginia and 

 in other parts. Parkinson knew only of one sort, which is the 

 European, with black fruit ; but we have in the gardens two sorts 

 from your part of the world, distinguished by the colour of their 

 fruit. * * * * 



Dear friend John, I am thy real friend, 



P. Collinson. 



London, January 20th, 1736-7. 



Dear Friend John : 



I can't enough admire thy industry and curiosity in descending 

 to so many minute rarities that came in the box by Savage ; 

 which are things very acceptable, but what commonly escape the 

 observation of most, but such a prying eye as thine. They in an 

 abundant manner deserve my thanks. 



It is true, in doing this thou hast very much obliged me ; but 

 I suspect thee has entailed on thyself more trouble. The sight of 

 those glorious large flies [meaning butterflies] thou sent, has not 



