114 PETER COLLINSON [1738. 



journey. Pray what inhabitants didst thee find in the Great Vale, 

 whether Indians or English? 



As this journey has proved very fatiguing and troublesome to 

 thee, I can't advise another, if it is possible to gratify thy corre- 

 spondents without it. 



It was very curious of thee, to collect the two noble chrysalises. 

 We wait with impatience their new birth. I wish the heat of our 

 climate may be able to perfect them; for the ring of eggs that thee 

 collected from the Apple trees, hatched the very next day I had 

 them from on board, it being very warm weather : but, in a day or 

 two, it changed to very cold, for the season; and I am afraid has 

 killed them all, notwithstanding they were kept in the house, and 

 fed with the young leaves and blossoms of Apple tree. If ever 

 thee meets with any more, I will keep the ring of eggs in a cold 

 place till May, and then I don't doubt but to raise them, and carry 

 them through their changes ; which will be a great curiosity, and 

 is frequently done here, by those that would raise a quantity of 

 rare and scarce flies. 



The two muscle shells are great curiosities, and what I never 

 saw before; but I apprehend, with you as well as with us, there is 

 a great variety of fresh-water and land shells small and great. 

 But these require eyes like thine and mine to find them out. If 

 thee happens on such another wasp's nest, that the Possum de- 

 stroyed in the bush, pray think of me. 



,* * * * * * * * * * 



I have inclosed, in my friend T. Penn's parcel, two cones, and 

 some seed of the Stone Pine. Please go to him for them. 

 I am, my good friend, thine, very truly, 



P. Collinson. 



One thing I forgot to mention before, and what very much sur- 

 prises me, to find thee, who art a philosopher, prouder than I am. 

 My cap, it is true, had a small hole or two on the border ; but the 

 lining was new. Instead of giving it away, I wish thee had sent 

 it me back again. It would have served me two or three years, to 

 have worn in the country, in rainy weather. 



