1738.] T0 JOHN BARTRAM. 115 



London, April 6, 1738. 



Dear Friend John : 



The first thing I have to desire of thee, is to send three or four 

 or six specimens of the Sweet Gum, in blossom. This being a very 

 extraordinary plant, some curious botanists in Holland beg this 

 favour, in order to settle its botanical character. I desire speci- 

 mens of these others two or three of a sort ; Black Gum, and 

 Black Haw, these we desire in blossom, and in fruit and leaf, as 

 it happens ; Sugar Birch, Black Thorn, and sorts of White Thorn, 

 in blossom and fruit. I have received three sorts of Jaceas from 

 Doctor Witt. He distinguishes them by Early Jacea, Elegant 

 Jacea, and Gigantic Jacea. I wish thee could find them out, to 

 send specimens of them, as they grow in your country. 



Pray look out for a plant or two of White Cedar ; for I am afraid 

 that last sent me will go off, though it has a clod of its own earth 

 about it. The smell of the leaves, a little dried, smells like to cin- 

 namon. It is a fine plant. If mine stands, it will be the only one 

 in England ; though I have hopes to raise it from seed, this year. 

 Set half a dozen young plants in a box, and let them stand a year 

 or two, to strike root, before they are sent. 



Renew thy collecting of acorns ; and if thee can, send specimens 

 to each which is a great curiosity. Get what Sassafras berries 

 thee can : and send as many Red Cedar berries, in a little box by 

 themselves, as thee can afford for half a guinea, being for a par- 

 ticular person ; and send some more, what thee can, for thy three 

 correspondents. Send more Sugar Maple seed, and Rose Laurel 

 cones : and send a specimen or two of the Upland Rose, and the 

 Marsh Rose. Try what thee canst do to send us some cones of the 

 Long-cone White Pine. It is a very remarkable Pine, having 

 five leaves in a sheath ; and the other, from Jersey, has but two 

 leaves. I have great hopes most of the plants will grow. They 

 promise well ; but I shall defer giving thee an account, till next 

 opportunity. 



The Terrapins came very safe and well : but I have lost all the 

 young ones from the eggs, which were fifteen, which is a great loss. 

 If I ever have any more, I will take another method with them. 

 But the curiosity was great, and admired by many ; and it was 

 very lucky that the first peeped. its head out of the earth, the very 

 day I brought the box from on board which I think was the 21st 



