1743-4.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 171 



list of every individual sort of seed in each of them, and the 

 number of the large seeds, and the quantity of smaller sorts. 



I sent all the things to Sir Hans Sloane, and writ him a 

 letter to remind him that a ship was going if he had anything to 

 send thee. 



Doctor Dillenius has writ thee a letter ; is greatly delighted 

 with the last seeds, they are so good ; says that thou art the only 

 man that ever did things to the purpose. 



The curiosities for Doctor Geonovius are gone for Holland, 

 with the specimens. I have writ, both to him and LlNK&iUS, not 

 to forget the pains and travel of indefatigable John Baeteam, 

 but stick a feather in his cap, who is as deserving as the rest. 



Doctor Colden, our worthy, ingenious friend, is quite a profi- 

 cient. I was surprised with his proficiency in the Linnsean system. 



I am in haste : farewell. 



P. COLLINSON. 



Oh ! dear John, I long to see thy Journal, and sentiments and 

 observations of thy expedition to the Five Nations. It was a 

 lucky opportunity. 



I was glad to see cones of the fine Magnolia. The' wood must 

 be beautiful. I had specimens, before I saw thine, from Doctor 

 Mitchell, of Urbana, in Virginia, two or three years agone, 

 where there is a stately tree on the plantation of Nicholas Smith, 

 in Essex County, on the head of Piscataway, Rappahannock River, 

 in his pasture. It is well known by all, and visited by all tra- 

 vellers. 



I now come to take a little notice of thine of the 2d December. 

 I was pleased to see the digitated-leafed plant prove a Mallow. I 

 know it will be acceptable to Doctor Geonovius. 



Thee need not trouble thyself to send nests of the swallows and 

 martens, but the eggs. The chimney one beats them all, for 

 curiosity ; but thou and Colonel Custis have well supplied me. I 

 only want some whole eggs. 



To be sure, a shell of each sort of your turtles, dried, will be 

 acceptable, and if anything remarkable in their head and feet. 

 They may be easily cured in a slack oven, after the bread is out. 



