156 PETER COLLINS ON [1742. 



the opportunity of seeing, and handling, and playing with a female, 

 that had three young nearly as large as herself; and by frequent 

 use, were as docile as cats and in colour, not much unlike. 



This contemptible creature in thy eyes has been remarkably 

 distinguished from other animals, in the wonderful provision con- 

 trived for the preservation of its young, (as if a creature of great 

 consequence) ; and another wonder attending it, is, how the young 

 comes so very small to the teat. This, none has yet been able to 

 ascertain, but by conjecture; and it has puzzled all our anatomists 

 to find the apparatus requisite to carry on this delicate operation. 

 Doctor Mitchell, at Urbana, in Virginia, has employed some of 

 his leisure time in examining the internal structure of this won- 

 derful creature ; and I doubt not, but in time, will clear up the 

 doubtful points.* * * * 



London, June 16, 1742. 



Dear John : 



Not any of the wasps belonging to the clay nests, are yet come 

 out, nor any of the chrysalises, which we much wonder at ; but 

 we are not yet without hopes. 



And, hitherto, as bad luck attends the growing plants. Several 

 curious things in the clods of earth don't appear especially those 

 Iris-like flowers, from Cape May, which we both so much admire ; 

 which may be owing to our long, cold, dry spring. One Gentian, 

 with small narrow leaves, appears ; and I think, two of the Witch 

 Hazel ; one Snake-root ; the Skunk- weed thrives well ; one Lychnis; 

 but I have a Lychnis, from Doctor Witt, different from any yet 

 that I have seen. It seems to be the king of that tribe. Its stalk 

 is near as thick as my little finger (which is but small, for a man). 

 It is now about two feet high, and yet no flowers appear. The 

 stalk is most finely spotted, which is very distinguishing from all 

 the rest that I have seen. 



One or two of the Sassafras sprout; but I can't depend on 

 them, for they will often go off after that. 



The ground-hog, I presume, may be the Monac, of Lawson. 

 Does it partake nothing .of our badger which Gesner mentions ? 



* For an interesting paper on this subject, see Proceedings of the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, for April, 1848. 



