1763.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 251 



tree from an oak ; but by seeing often my garden, and conversing 

 with me and his brother, is now resolved, if he can, to rival us. In 

 his new, fresh soil, plants thrive finely. 



I wish thou may pick out what I mean : being much engaged, 

 can add no more, but that I am thy sincere friend, 



P. Collinson. 



London, June 30th, 1763. 

 I am glad, my dear John, I can send our friend Solander's 

 catalogue of thy last curious collection of specimens. There are 

 wonderful things amongst them, especially the Sensitive, Empe- 

 trum, &c. ****** 



They enrich our knowledge, and anticipate our pleasures, and 

 give us a good idea of the riches in store, to gratify the botanists 

 of after ages. 0, Botany ! delightfulest of all sciences ! There 

 is no end of thy gratifications. All botanists will join with me in 

 thanking my dear John for his unwearied pains to gratify every 

 inquisitive genius. I have sent Linn^us a specimen, and one leaf 

 of Tipitiwitchet Sensitive ; only to him would I spare such a jewel. 

 Pray send more specimens. I am afraid we can never raise it. 

 Linnaeus will be in raptures at the sight of it. How happens it, 

 in thy Journal, that thou did not give a sketch, or map, of the 

 rivers Wateree and Oongaree ? names I never heard of. ' What 

 rivers do they join before they come to the sea ? * * 



Thine, 



P. Collinson. 



London, August 4th, 1763. 



I had the pleasure of my dear John's letter of May 30th, which 

 was sensibly abated by the severe disorder thou hast to encounter 

 with. I shall be glad to hear thou hast got the victory. At the 

 same time it raises in my mind thankfulness for a long series of 

 health, without any such calamities, or indeed any other. 



My garden, like thine, makes a glorious appearance ; with fine 

 long-spiked purple Ononis ; with the Allspice of Carolina \Caly- 

 canthus floridus, L.], abundantly in flower, spreading its perfumes 

 abroad ; the delectable red-flowering Acacia ; my laurel-leafed Mag- 

 nolia, with its noble blossoms, which will continue for two months 

 or more. The great Rhododendron has been glorious beyond 



