152 PETER COLLIN SON [1741-2. 



gathered ? Our Balm of Gilead Fir sweats out tears of balsam 

 from the buds, in the summer months. 



I thank thee for the Sweet Gum, or Liquid Ambar, as we call 

 it, and for the White Cedar Gum. I never saw any before. It 

 is odd to call a plant sour Crum, or black Crum, and it not produce 

 any. But when thou observes any trees gum, that we have not, 

 pray think of me ; and to send me two or three roots of growing 

 Ginseng, and Poly gala or Seneka Snakeroot, if they happen to be 

 seen in thy route. I want them in my garden and Serpentaria, 

 of the shops. 



I have taken care to put the clay Wasps' nests in boxes, to see 

 their produce. They are exceeding curious, especially the last 

 flat ones, which are prettily marked with ribs, &c. Pray, are these 

 a new discovery ? 



Thy account of the Tumble Bug (Beetle) is very curious and en- 

 tertaining : but M. Catesby says they have another sort that they 

 call so, in Virginia. Pray send two or three more specimens ; for 

 I presume they are not scarce. One or two for Sir Hans, with 

 thy account, will wonderfully please him. 



I thank thee for thy curious present of thy map, and thy draught 

 of the fall of the river Owegos [?]. I was really both delighted 

 and surprised to see it so naturally clone, and at thy ingenuity in 

 the performance. Upon my word, friend John, I can't help ad- 

 miring thy abilities, in so many instances. I shall be sparing 

 to say what more I think. A man of thy prudence will place 

 this to a right account, to encourage thee to proceed gently 

 in these curious things, which belong to a man of leisure, and 

 not to a man of business. The main chance must be minded. 

 Many an ingenious man has lost himself for want of this re- 

 gard, by devoting too much of his time to these matters. A 

 hint thee will take in friendship : thy obliging, grateful disposition, 

 may carry thee too far. I am glad, and delight much in all these 

 things none more : but then I would not purchase them at the 

 expense of my friend's precious time to the detriment of his in- 

 terest, and business (now, dear John, take me right). I showed 

 them to Sir Hans. He was much pleased. Lord Petre deservedly 

 much admires them ; and, indeed, does every one that sees them, 

 when they are told who was the performer. 



All this is writ by rote, or from memory, for I dare not, nay, I 

 cannot look into thy letters ; for I have no time to add more, but 



