190 PETER COLLINSON [1753. 



The difference between the Lowland White Oak [Quercus bicolor, 

 Willd.?] and the Mountain White Oak [#. obtusiloba, Mx.?], is 

 purely owing to their situation,* and that cannot be determined but 

 by experiments. Take the acorns of each, and plant in thy garden ; 

 a few years' observation will put that matter out of doubt. And 

 the like may be, in the Swamp, and Mountain Chestnut Oak \_Q. 

 Prinus, L. ? and Q. montana, Willd. ?], a difference owing to soil 

 and situation not sufficient to constitute two distinct species; and 

 so of the Spanish, and Swamp Spanish Oak [$. falcata, and Q. 

 palustris, of Mx. ?] I know this tribe of trees sport so, in their 

 leaves, that it is easy for thee to collect specimens that shall have 

 a great appearance of a distinct species ; but the question is, will 

 this hold through the forest ? In England, we have but two spe- 

 cies of Oak ; and yet, in the course of my observation, I could ex- 

 tend them to variety of species, from the different figure of their 

 leaves, and the shape and size of their acorns. 



As an account of your forest trees is a very desirable piece of 

 knowledge here, with their properties and uses, since the humour 

 of cultivating them is so much indulged : yet, when the Lowland and 

 Mountain Oaks grow up here together and no very remarkable 

 difference, then our ingenious friend, John Bartram, will be 

 arraigned with want of judgment to distinguish things aright. To 

 prevent such an impeachment of his skill, I much wish he would re- 

 vise his account again, and confirm his opinion with fair specimens 

 and acorns, impartially collected ; for I have a great desire to have 

 them engraved, and published. Our friend Catesby has, indeed, 

 exhibited variety ; but then his work is so expensive, few can afford 

 to buy it. * * * 



Ridgeway House, February 13, 1753. 



I now come next to examine thine of June 7th, perhaps over 

 again. * * * * 



Thy expedition to the mountains must be an agreeable jaunt 

 to one of thy taste, and mine. In these expeditions, forget not 



* Friend Collinson manifests a laudable desire to avoid the unnecessary mul- 

 tiplication of species ; but the modern botanists, generally, have sustained the 

 views of John Baetbam, in reference to the specific differences of the Oaks here 

 mentioned. 



