168 PETER COLLINSON [1743-4. 



them from the teeth of rats; for, at the corner of each box, they 

 had made a proper hole for access, and in each box was a warm 

 nest, of straw and the leaves and stalks of the shrubs. It grieved 

 me to see how they had stripped the great Rhododendron and 

 lesser Kalmias. * * * 



The deciduous shrubs were in good order, and all the sods of 

 curious roots, and the Martagons were not hurt. Warneria, or 

 Yellow root [Hydrastis Canadensis, L.], is so remarkable, that if 

 it had been in the last cargo, I could not help seeing it. It is im- 

 possible to account for its absence. Loblolly was eat by the rats ; 

 but I hope will shoot from the root. It is one of the charming 

 evergreens. Does it stand your winters ? Your Skunk-root is now 

 in full flower. * * * Pray tell me, how many species of Solo- 

 mon's Seal hath thee observed in all thy travels ? * * 



I find I have three distinct species of Epigcea. This last sent, 

 differs from the others. 



The striped Pgrola is a pretty plant, and my favourite. I fancy 

 it is very scarce, or else there had been another sod. Gentians are 

 also my favourites. 



Thy fine collection of specimens is under Doctor Solander's 

 examination. Your autumn flowers I pretty well know ; but pray 

 tell me, what are your spring flowers, beside the Puccoon or San- 

 guinaria, the little white Ranunculus [Anemone], and Meadia, 

 and Orchis, pray, what are the other species with which your 

 woods, thickets, swamps, fields, and meadows, are adorned in the 

 spring months of March, April, and May ? 



I wish, for my satisfaction, thy good son James would put up a 

 quire of specimens of all your flowers, for only those three months, 

 I mean only herbaceous or bulbous flowers no trees nor shrubs ; 

 for though I have been so many years conversant with your vege- 

 tables, yet I think myself entirely ignorant (except the above men- 

 tioned) of Flora's beauties, in your spring months. 



Our fields so abound with flowers in those months, that they are 

 a flowery carpet. The Primroses, Daisies, and Pilewort [Ranun- 

 culus'], are now beginning will be succeeded by the two or three 

 species of Crow-foot, called Butter-flowers. Dandelion makes a 

 great show ; then the fields are rich with Cowslips, Lady-smocks, 

 Caltha palustris, or Marsh Marygolds ; then they are covered with 

 blue Hyacinths, Daffodils, Saxifrage, Stitchwort, blue and white 

 Violets, and a great variety of Orchis, our woods covered with 



