1737.1 TO JOHN BARTRAM. 95 



have many friends, and some of the first rank in Virginia. If let- 

 ters will be any service to thee, thou shall not want them. 



Inclosed, is some seed of a noble annual, grows six or seven 

 feet high, and makes a beautiful show with its long bunches of red 

 flowers : but I am afraid it will be too late to venture it, this year. 

 However, sow half, and keep the other till next year. It is called 

 the great oriental Persicaria. 



I am, with love, thy sincere friend, 



P. Collinson. 



Pray does the Marsh Trefoil, or Buck-bean, increase, that was 

 sent to our friend Charles Reed ? It grows wonderfully, in very 

 moist, shallow, watery places. 



I find I had none of the plants of the first cargo grow, as under. 

 If it happens in thy way to supply them, pray do. * * * * 



Dittany, good against the bite of snakes, did not grow. 



Devil's Bit, or Blazing Star, this failed. 



Pray has thee happened to be that way, when the wild Lupin 

 was in seed? It flowers in the spring, and grows in sand, as thee 

 observes. The root is long and stringy; so must be raised from 

 seed, being very difficult to transplant. 



Pray have I that plant lately discovered, of such wonderful 

 efficacy to cure sore breasts? A sort of Colt's-foot, by the Pala- 

 tines called Aristolochia \_8aururus cernuus, L.]. Pray send the 

 method of cure, and some seed. 



Pray what are the virtues of the plant sent me by the name of 

 the Panax? It grows well, and is called by Tournefort, Aralia 

 Canadensis. 



Thee has twice sent me a catalogue of divers plants thou desires. 

 I have sent it to P. Miller, and desired him to plant what he has 

 of them in a case, to be ready to be sent by the last ship in the 

 autumn. 



London, May 20th, 1737. 



Friend John: 



I here inclose thee the names of the plants, or specimens, last 

 sent, as I had them from Dr. Dillenius, Professor of Botany at 

 Oxford;* to whom I have yearly imparted of thy seeds. He is 



* The list of plants or specimens, here referred to, as named or remarked 

 upon, amounts to upwards of two hundred. The authorities relied upon, seem to 

 be Tournefort and Parkinson. 



