192 PETER COLLINSON [1753. 



I can't imagine at the long silence of Doctor Gronovius ; whe- 

 ther it is his employ in the government, or whether his taste for Na- 

 tural History abates, I can't say ; but this our friend Clayton tells 

 me, that he writ him a letter complaining of the expense that at- 

 tended the conveyance of his specimens to Holland, and as good 

 as forbid his sending more ; so that, it seems to me, the last vice 

 that attacks human nature has laid hold on him that is, covetous- 

 ness. I wish it may not be so ; but it is more than probable. 

 Postage becomes chargeable, and so he is silent. He is two letters 

 in my debt, and used to be the most punctual correspondent. 



Many are asking me, why the' name of Hemlock is given to the 

 smallest coned Fir, which we call Yew-leafed Fir [Pinus Canaden- 

 sis, L.]. 



****** 



London, July 19, 1753. 



If my friend John Bartram knew better my affairs, my situa- 

 tion in life, my public business, my many engagements and 

 incumbrances, instead of being in a pet, that I answer not the 

 letter he sends by one ship by the next that sails he would won- 

 der I do so well as I do, though he thinks it so ill. * * He 

 should never suspect his friend, until he has better foundation for 

 so doing. To serve him, I often neglect my own business. His 

 surmises are well meant ; yet they arise from want of experience, 

 and not knowing me, and the share I have in the busy world, so 

 well as I could wish ; then he would not think me so bad a corre- 

 spondent. And I dare venture, now I have given him these 

 friendly hints, he will not think me so again ; but continue his 

 friendly and informing, as well as his entertaining correspondence. 



* * I thought he had known me better, than to think any- 

 thing he sends me either lost or neglected. 



Bartram, Botanist of Pennsylvania, and his Notes throughout the work, showing 

 the places where many of the described Plants are to be found in these parts of 

 America, their differences in name, appearance, and virtue, from those of the 

 same kind in Europe ; and an Appendix, containing a description of a number of 

 Plants peculiar to America, their uses, virtues, &c." 



The original work is surcharged with all that sort of nonsensical credulity and 

 trumpery which disgraced the profession in former times ; but the brief Appendix 

 by John Bartram, (noticing some twenty of our indigenous vegetables,) is more 

 reputable, and possesses some degree of interest. The book is now exceedingly 

 rare. For an opportunity to examine the only copy I have seen, I am indebted 

 to the kindness of my valued friend, Daniel B. Smith, of Philadelphia. 



