142 PETER COLLINSON [1741. 



in the country near the Euxine Sea, in Turkey ; and that found 

 with you being nearly in the same latitude, it shows the unlimited 

 power and goodness of the Creator, that such fine plants, so nearly 

 related, should be dispersed in places so remote from each other, 

 to gratify and please mankind. It flowers beginning of May ; the 

 inside of the flower white, the outside of a faint red or blush 

 colour. The green leaves are exactly like yours, and the flowers 

 come in clusters, like yours. 



M. Gatbsbt has sent thee his first part as a present. * * 

 Inclosed is a letter to Doctor Colden, surveyor-general of New 

 York. He may be of great service to thee, to inform thee where 

 is the likeliest place to find the Firs. He is a very ingenious man, 

 and has writ a very entertaining and informing history of the Six 

 Indian Nations, which he has been so kind to send me. Pray go 

 soon, and look out sharp for the Balm of Gilead Firs, and Black, 

 Red, and White Spruce, as Mr. Dudley calls them. I hope thee 

 will meet with more of the White Pine, for our people are insatiable 

 after them. 



London, June 6, 1741. 



Dear Friend : 



. I was glad to see thine of December 4th, and March 22d : and 

 am sorry for the fate of the two boxes, which are all spoilt. I 

 shall answer thine fully by next ship. 



We all hope thee has taken, or will take, a progress to Hud- 

 son's River, to find the Balm of Gilead Fir. Pray call on Doctor 

 Coldex, at Albany, who may inform thee where these trees grow. 

 * * * I saw to-day, at Sir Hans Sloane's, a 

 great curiosity, a Porcupine, brought from Hudson's Bay. It 

 was two feet nine inches from head to tail, and a foot high, with a 

 young one. It was wonderful to observe how this animal, which 

 is found in the very hot countries, was so contrived to endure and 

 subsist in the coldest ; for it is provided with a very thick fur coat, 

 covered with hairs, and in this its quills are secreted ; so that, un- 

 less the hair is turned up, they are not discovered : but no doubt 

 the creature can erect them for defence. It is a wonderful animal 

 of a dark brown ; but its little one was of a shining sleek black, 

 and had no quills, but there was some appearance of their coming. 

 The Porcupines from the South, are covered all over with quills, 



