1751.] T0 JOHN BARTRAM. 185 



which he has been very industrious to find out. He would willingly 

 give his labour for his passage ; but neither to your port, nor to 

 New York, will they take him, on those terms. As to his hiring 

 himself to the West Indies, I can no ways agree to it, though he 

 is very desirous of it. But I shall persuade him off of it ; for it 

 will be exposing his virtue to too severe trials ; for he must asso- 

 ciate with our London common sailors, Avho are a most profligate 

 crew, and, if possible, will never be easy until they make him like 

 themselves. And then our wages are very low ; the best sailor has 

 but 25s. a month. The only method I can advise, is to get him in 

 a settled employ in some of your own ships either trading here 

 or to the West Indies ; that he may return and pass the winter (if 

 from London) under thy inspection. 



As he was very bare of clothes, and those he had in a ragged 

 condition, I have, according to thy order, fitted him up in the most 

 frugal manner I could. I must say for him, that he was even con- 

 tented in his rags, and thought I did too much ; and yet, in his 

 poor equipment, I could not see how I could do less. * 



I must acknowledge, my good friend has taken great pains to 

 oblige me, with so many entertaining letters. Thy observations 

 on the Faba JEgyptiaca \_Nelumbium luteum, Willd.], are well 

 worthy our notice. Doctor Gronovius will be delighted with it. 

 I have had specimens from South Carolina, but never imagined it 

 grew so far to the northward. The specimens are fine. I will 

 send one to Holland the first opportunity. Next year, if it is not 

 too remote, get more of leaves, fruit, and the flower in its full size, 

 which will make the whole complete ; and I have some curious 

 botanical friends to oblige with specimens. 



It must certainly be some other sharp, strong-pointed produc- 

 tion, that could annoy the scaly sides of the Crocodile ; its belly, 

 indeed, is easier penetrated. The Tribulus aquaticus \_Trapa 

 natans, L.] is much harder and sharper. 



It is possible this rare plant may have been eradicated from 

 Egypt, &c, by the great increase of people, animals, and traffic: 

 but in China it subsists, with a variety of rare species, as I have 

 seen, and showed Moses, from a Chinese Herbal containing near a 

 thousand vegetables all most curiously drawn and painted in their 

 natural colours. There are delineated three species, with large 

 white, yellow, and purple flowers. These have their seed-vessels 



