106 PETER COLLINSON [1737. 



My friend Logan tells me thee art very dexterous in detecting 

 flowers ; which requires, in some of them, both good eyes and good 

 glasses to discover their very minute parts. This is a very curious 

 study, and full of wonders, but must take up a great deal of time 

 to be exact ; and is a pretty amusement for those that have it 

 hang upon their hands. But, for thee and me, I think we can't 

 allow it, without prejudice to our other weighty affairs. Yet I 

 would not discourage thee, if thy circumstances will permit it. 



Dear friend, thine of the 19th July is before me. * * * * 



It is with great concern I see so many curious insects spoiled. 

 Pray keep the Butterflies by themselves ; and then no danger can 

 happen. Some of the last are extravagantly fine. The white 

 long-tailed Moth is amazing. Now and then, when a fine one 

 happens in thy way, take him being always provided with a box 

 in thy pocket, when thee walks abroad ; for these insects are seen 

 accidentally. If thee was to go on purpose, it is a query if thee 

 finds one. There are some new ones amongst these last, that I 

 never saw before ; and one that I think is, in all parts, exactly the 

 same as here. 



The curious Thorn, thee mentions, I wish thee was to see in 

 flower ; for I suspect the owner magnifies its beauties. Get it into 

 thy own garden, and see for thyself; and then, if it proves what 

 he says, it will be a present worth sending, and our accepting. 



John "White is now here, and gives thee great commendations. 

 I am sorry so fine a collection of Pears is so little regarded. 



I am heartily glad thee has so good a friend as James Logan, 

 being a man of great compassion and humanity. He writ to me, 

 some time agone, in thy behalf, fearing thee had no consideration 

 for thy collections. This, I think, was an instance of his great 

 regard for thee. No doubt but he considers thee, for any time 

 taken up from thy own affairs, (if thee pursues the study of plants,) 

 in order to satisfy his inquiries, whose surprising genius has 

 enabled him to write very skilful and knowing in this branch of 

 natural history, as, I think I may safely say, in all others. 



The Sy sterna Natural is a curious performance, for a young man 

 [LlNN^us] ; but his coining a set of new names for plants, tends 

 but to embarrass and perplex the study of Botany. As to his sys- 

 tem, on which they are founded, botanists are not agreed about it. 

 Very few like it. Be that as it will, he is certainly a very ingenious 

 man, and a great naturalist. As these were not in our mother 



