1762.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 237 



(May 22,) in answer to thine of the 17th January, and February 

 5, yet I can't let the packet sail without a few lines. 



I forgot in my last to tell thee my deciduous Mountain Magno- 

 lia, I raised from seed about twenty years agone, flowered for the 

 first time with me ; and I presume is the first of that species that 

 ever flowered in England, and the largest and tallest. The flowers 

 come early ; soon after the leaves are formed. The great Laurel 

 Magnolia and Umbrella, both fine trees in my garden, showed 

 their flower-buds the first of June. My Red flowering Acacia is 

 now in full flower, and makes a glorious show, as well as the 

 White. But above all, is the great Mountain Laurel, or Rhodo- 

 dendron, in all its glory. What a ravishing sight must the moun- 

 tains appear when clad with this rich embroidery ! How glorious 

 are thy works, Lord ! They inspire me with adoration and 

 praise. 

 M In the sod with thy Sarracenia, is come up a seeming species of 

 Orchis, a very singular flower. It would be worth while importing 

 sods from wild, boggy, swampy places, where so many odd and 

 rare plants grow, for the sake of the uncommon variety they pro- 

 duce. * * * 



My dear John, if thou knewest the pleasure thou so often gives 

 to thy old friend, by perusing thy Journals ! The time taken in 

 digesting them cannot be said to be thrown away, as they afford 

 an endless fund of entertainment and reflection from the various 

 incidents and objects that diversify every page. 



By thy description, Pittsburg must be a delightful situation, 

 both for health, convenience, and trade. No doubt but our people 

 will avail themselves of these advantages. When the country 

 grows populous and the wood scarce and dear, coal may be of 

 infinite service to supply that deficiency. 



What shall we say to the strata abounding with fossil sea-shells, 

 petrifactions, &c. ? Very probably, as thou conceives, the sea 

 flowed higher, or once overflowed all. All our conjectures may be 

 beside the mark, as we know not the true causes of these phe- 

 nomena. 



The want of fish in the Ohio, may be as thou observes, from its 

 great distance from the sea; but this cannot be the absolute cause : 

 for it is Avell known that inland lakes, in many parts of the world 

 abound with fish. 



The new species of turtle I should like to see. But there is 



