238 PETER COLLIN SON [1762. 



another four-footed amphibious creature, that is peculiar to the 

 River Ohio, that may deserve thy farther inquiry. I printed an 

 account of it, and the figure, the best I could procure, in the 

 Gentleman's Magazine, two or three years agone. 



A skin of this rare creature would be a great curiosity, as well 

 as an addition to Natural History. And some more particular 

 observations on the Great Buffalo. Their bones or skeletons are 

 now standing in a licking-place, not far from the Ohio, of which I 

 have two of their teeth. 



One Greenwood, an Indian trader, and my friend George 

 Croghan, both saw them, and gave me relation of them : but they 

 omitted to take notice what hoofs they had, and what horns. 

 These two material articles known, would help to determine their 

 genus, or species. Prithee, inquire after them, for they are won- 

 derful beyond description, if what is related of them may be 

 depended on. I heartily wish thou had been properly informed of * 

 them, and the place they were to be found in ; then we should 

 have had some certainty. 



Thus, dear John, I scrawl on : but now I must conclude. 



Thy real friend, 



P. Collinson. 



The last packet from New York was taken : so I am afraid I 

 have lost one of thy letters. 



London, July 25, 1762. 



I cannot let our dear Franklin pass over without a line to my 

 dear John. In my last of July 9th, by packet, I acknowledged 

 the receipt of thine, 10th of May. 



I know thy many avocations ; therefore, will patiently wait thy 

 own time for thy Journal to Pittsburg. 



There is no end of the wonders in nature. The more I see the 

 more I covet to sec ; not to gratify a trifling curiosity, but to raise 

 my mind in sublime contemplation on the unlimited power and 

 wisdom of the Great Creator of all things. 



I am glad to hear my two pretty friends, John and Benjamin, 



