10 4 PETER COLLINSON [1737. 



very double white flower, with small leaves something like Colum- 

 bine. This we call the small mountain Eanunculus, as it really 

 is.* I had it formerly sent me, by Dr. Witt ; but I should be 

 glad of a few roots more. It is a pretty plant, and keeps a long 

 while in flower. I hope to send the names of the rest. 



Thy map of Schuylkill, is very prettily clone, and very inform- 

 ing ; for now I can read and travel at the same time. Lord Petre 

 has seen it, and is much pleased with that and thy journal; for one 

 helps to illustrate the other. I intend to. communicate it to a 

 curious map-maker : it may be of use to him, in laying down that 

 part of the River Schuylkill, undescribed. 



Is there any account of the panthers? Do they attack men, or 

 cattle ? To see a live one, I presume, is not very common to Euro- 

 peans. The other curiosities, I have made some remarks on in my 

 general observations. I hope nothing has escaped me. 



Thy next, in course, is July 6. 



I shall first take notice of thy request to buy Tournefort. I 

 have inquired, and there are so many books, or parts, done, as 

 come to fifty shillings. The first part may be got, perhaps, second- 

 hand ; but the others, are not yet to be expected. Now I shall be 

 so friendly to tell thee, I think this is too much to lay out. Be- 

 sides, now thee has got Parkinson and Miller, I would not have 

 thee puzzle thyself with others; for they contain the ancient and 

 modern knowledge of Botany. Remember Solomon's advice ; in 

 reading (?) of books, there is no end. 



Far be it from me, that I designed any reflection, or to find 

 fault, when I required some information in certain particulars which 

 escaped thee. I full well know thy many avocations, and hoped 

 thee would not take it in that light, to draw an apology from thee, 

 that I should overlook them, considering thy affairs. Yes, all this 

 I could readily do, and would have done, if I thought thee had 

 taken it in a sense I did not intend. So I hope, for the future, 

 thee will never take anything in a lessening way, or, as if I ex- 

 pected more perfect matters than the nature of things will allow 

 of. I only beg to be informed, and thee has done it ; and I am 

 obliged to thee for it. 



Some Wild Crab seed will be very acceptable ; but I believe it 



* It is the Anemone thalictroides, L., or Thalictrum anemonoides, of Michaux. 

 See P. Collinson's letter to Joseph Beeintnall, 1738. 



