148 PETER COLLINSON [1741-2. 



vered on our coasts ; but so it is. We have not been able to find 

 this described in any book, or author of Natural History. In its 

 nature it seems to agree near with our and your Solen by some 

 called Razor-shell, by others, Finger-shell, and what thou reckons 

 a sort of clams, which I delivered to Sir Hans per thy order. 



I observe that thou takes no notice of any natural history rela- 

 ting to the Monac, or ground-hog. As the creature will be as 

 tame as a cat (for I gave one to Sir Hans Sloane, who was much 

 delighted with it and became a domestic animal, ran up and 

 down, like dog or cat, for years), it would be pretty to keep one, 

 and observe the provision he makes for his winter's abode, for six 

 or seven months sleeping, or living all that time without food. 



I find thee has seen some of the fruit, or nuts, I mentioned ; 

 but I don't find the butter-nut which is plenty in New England, 

 as a gentleman tells me has yet come under thy notice, with the 

 Medlar and Sagamore's head. 



I have much ado to read thy letter ; for some mischievous in- 

 sect has eaten thy letter in large holes, in four places. To pre- 

 vent this, wrap them up in dry tobacco leaves. 



I shall endeavour to look about the Sweet and Sour Gum. Is 

 this last called Black Gum ? Or are they different plants ? I 

 hope thou has Doctor Gronovius's names to thy cargo, 1741. 

 What notice he takes of these plants, I can't well remember ; but 

 will look, at my leisure. 



That some variegations may be occasioned by insects, is certain ; 

 but then these are only annual, and cease with the year. But 

 those variegations that are permanent, in our Hollies and Philly- 

 reas, proceed from a distemper in the juices (like jaundice, in men 

 and women). Take a bud from a variegated Jessamine, and insert 

 it into a plain Jessamine ; not only the bud will continue its varie- 

 gation, but will also infect and impregnate the circulating juices, 

 that the branches and leaves, above and below the bud, will ap- 

 pear variegated. 



This is a plain demonstration of the circulation of the sap, and 

 is a vegetable inoculation, which is very analogous to that practised 

 on the human species which I hear is very successfully operated 

 with you but obtains little with us ; for we are fearful of bringing 

 on a distemper, which oft proves mortal on persons that never 

 might have had it in a natural way. I have two children, but dare 

 not venture on the experiment, for fear of the consecpiences. 



