gg PETER COLLINSON [1737. 



whether it sheds its leaves, or is an evergreen, and what blossoms 

 it has. Do not go on purpose ; but whenever thee goes that way, 

 pray procure some. 



The leaves of the Sugar Tree are very informing, and are a 

 great curiosity; but we wish thee had gathered little branches 

 with the flowers on them, and some little branches with the keys 

 on them. The seeds of this tree, (which, by the leaves and keys, 

 is a real Maple,) I cracked a many of them, and not one has a 

 kernel in them, which I am surprised at. Whether they were not 

 fully ripe, thee canst best judge ; but so it is. We must desire 

 thee, next year, to make another attempt, and send us some speci- 

 mens. Its bearing white blossoms is an elegance above any other 

 of this tribe, that I know of ; for we have' two sorts in England 

 a major, which is commonly here called Sycamore, and the other is 

 a minor, less every way ; and both bear bunches of greenish blos- 

 soms, succeeded by keys, like those thee sent. 



From thy assured friend, 



P. COLLINSOX. 



London, February 17, 1737. 



Dear Feiend : 



5jl ,- 5} 5f JjC j 



As thee designs for Virginia, in the fall, I have sent thee circular 

 letters to all my friends ; which letters come to J. Logan, to save 

 thee postage. I think it would be better to proceed along the bay 

 of the Western Shore of Maryland first, and so to Williamsburgh, 

 and then up into the country, and so back, as thou proposed ; and 

 my reason is, little new, or curious, is to be met with along the 

 Western Shore, or in the lower settlements of Virginia. The rare 

 and valuable things are to be found above, in the unsettled places ; 

 and then thou will proceed directly home with what seeds thou has 

 got : whereas, if thou goes the upper way first, thou will have to 

 bring what thou has collected down Virginia, and over to Mary- 

 land, which will be very troublesome and fatiguing, and a long 

 way about. 



I have sent my letters open, that thou may make memorandums 

 from some particular contents therein mentioned, and then seal 

 them up. Of all my friends in Maryland, I know none that are 

 curious in our branch of knowledge ; so that, unless it is in the 



