12 4 PETER COLLIN SON [1738-9. 



Logan ; and pray, where there is sufficient, let him have a share of 



the other seeds. 



The Scorpioides [Scorpiurus vermieulata, L.] is a surprising 

 phenomenon in nature that the seed, or fruit, or pod of a plant 

 should be so like an animal : for, when these are green, and pretty- 

 near full grown, gather one and pin it artfully on thy neckcloth, 

 and there is not one in a great many will distinguish it from a 

 smooth green caterpillar. Beside this pretty curiosity, this class 

 of plants are of great service in hot, dry countries, for green fodder 

 for their milk cattle, in the summer months. Please to impart this 

 to friend Logan, with some seed of each. 



I have before said sufficient of the Burgundy Trefoil. But lest 

 that sent in the autumn should not be perfectly ripe, I have sent 

 some more. Doctor Dillexils is of a strong opinion that it will 

 prove the best, most productive of herbage, and durable, of any 

 grass. It requires some care, at first setting out : so let it be sown 

 carefully in your gardens, in order to raise seed for greater crops 

 abroad. 



Please to ask friend Logan to let thee peruse the Philosophical 

 Transactions, that I send him by Captain Wright. In them, thee 

 will find a Dissertation on the Deer and Moose of your Continent. 

 We have but an imperfect idea of your male, or buck, of your 

 Fallow Deer, as thee will perceive by the print, or figures an- 

 nexed. I could be glad to have the scalp of one of your bucks, 

 with its horns, full grown, on it. Perhaps this may be attainable 

 by thy own procurement, or some of thy friends : and if thee canst 

 inform us further, or better, in relation to those animals the Deer 

 and Moose thee will much oblige thy sincere friend, 



P. Collinson. 



Pray remember, for friend Catesby, flowers of the Papaw. He 

 will thank thee very kindly for the fruit ; and come they either 

 dry, or in spirits, they will lose their colour : so pray describe it 

 as well as thee can, that he may be qualified to paint it; and what 

 colour is the fruit, when ripe, and its time of flowering, and time 

 when the fruit is ripe. 



Possibly some of your Indian traders may procure a Deer, or 

 Stag's scalp, with the horns on. 



