246 PETER COLLINSON [1763. 



curious plants that I could not find in seed, to be sent down to 

 Charleston, for Philadelphia ; but I can't hear anything of them. I 

 doubt they are lost, or spoiled. * * 



As thee observes, we have very few Umbelliferous plants. I 

 did not see one new in all the last journey. Perhaps, next fall, I 

 may send thee specimens of all the kinds we have. * * 



* * Evergreen Prinos [in James Alexander's list of plants 

 sent to England] is what I call Evergreen Privet, or Ink-berries 

 [Prinos glaber, L.], in Jersey. * * 



* * I can't find thy amphibious creature, that thee published 

 in the Magazine. My Billy has stole two from me to carry to 

 his uncle at Cape Fear ; perhaps it was in one of them. Those in 

 the Ohio are very odd creatures. 



Amber of a very curious sort is found in West Jersey lately, in 

 detached masses, near the surface of the ground, and not far from 

 the River Delaware. It is inflammable, nearly transparent, and 

 almost as tough as horn, and will turn very smooth for cane heads, 

 of a yellowish colour, waved or checkered with a lighter colour. I 

 think it was ploughed up in a field, but I can't yet learn, certainly, 

 where it was found but I intend to make more inquiry about it. 



PETER COLLINSON TO JOHN BARTRAM. 



London, February 23d, 1763. 



I am greatly rejoiced to read in thine of the 31st of October, of 

 thy safe return from thy delightful journey from the terrestrial 

 Paradise, for such it must be, that could raise such ecstasies of joy 

 at viewing those charming scenes, enriched with such elegant pro- 

 ductions. I long to see a sketch of thy Journal. 



The Pyramid of Eden must be a glorious sight in full flower. 

 Linnaeus makes it a Swertia is the next genus to the Gentians ; 

 and differs from them by having beautiful nectariums, consisting 

 of little tufts of small hairs in the hollow of each petal. Doctor 

 Garden calls it the glory of the Blue Mountains. I hope we shall 

 have seed of it, that Gordon may raise it. * * 



* * I delivered thy letter into Doctor Shippen's own hands. 

 I admire he should delay giving it to thee. It is very unpolite to 

 keep a letter two or three months by him. It is not using thee as 



