1736-7.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 91 



But of the great variety of new and curious plants, in the four 

 quires of specimens, none strikes me so much as the Laurel No. 

 102. What class our botanists will rank it in, I can't say. Had 

 we but the flowers, it could then be easily determined. But it has 

 all the appearance of a noble plant, and will be, undoubtedly, a 

 great ornament to our gardens. By all means, either send seeds 

 or plants. I hope some may be discovered nearer home, than to 

 go so far. 



All those specimens that have neither flower nor seed-vessel, it 

 will be difficult to determine what class they belong to. 



This I must observe to thee : that I really think no pains have 

 been wanting to oblige us with a prodigious variety, in every kind. 

 As to thy particular regard to me, I am truly sensible of it : and 

 that I may not be behindhand in gratitude, I have really taken a 

 task on me, which takes up so much of my time, and is so much 

 trouble, that for thy sake, only, I undertake it, in hopes twenty 

 guineas a year may be of some service : but thee art not sensible 

 the time and trouble it takes up, to get these things from on board, 

 and from the Custom-house ; and had I not good friends amongst 

 the commissioners, I should have a great deal more, and pay a 

 duty beside, and what is yet a greater difficulty on me, it happens 

 * * * * As to thy objection, as to the size of your Cypress 

 cone, it is none ; for the same is to be observed in other seeds. 

 There are very small acorns, and very large ones, and yet one as 

 much an oak as the other. The cone of the Cypress that sheds 

 the leaves, very much resembles the Italian, for size and figure. 

 Of this we have raised abundance, from Virginia and Carolina. It 

 is a fine tree, and thrives mightily with us. 



London, March 14, 1736-7. 



Friend John : 



I am just now returned from paying our noble friend a visit, 

 where I have been viewing his plantations, and concerting measures 

 for another progress, if thee thinks proper to undertake one. He 

 thinks, with me, that to take a turn through your three lower 

 counties, and then along the sea-coasts of the Eastern Shore to the 

 capes, and then return round the bay home, leaving the Western 

 Shore of Maryland and Virginia for another time ; and the going 

 northward in search of Firs and Pines may be for the present 



