1768.] T0 WILLIAM BAR TRAM. 297 



The crimson Hibiscus is a charming flower. I could have no 

 perfect idea of it, but from thy elegant painting. Pray desire 

 father to spare no pains to get us seed from Charleston, where I 

 dare say it ripens seed. * * * 



The Scarlet Sage is excessively pretty. It grieves me it is an 

 annual, for it will never ripen seed in our climate. So thy paint- 

 ing must supply that defect. 



The Lycium is a new species. We have two or three sorts 

 that bear purple berries. If berries could be had, it would make 

 a variety. 



I wish I had two or three of those olive-coloured snails, found at 

 the bottom of St. John's River. Thy good father knows my love 

 for these things. 



That rich aromatic Evergreen, Amisum stellatum \Illicium Flo- 

 ridanum ? Ellis], is a rich production, which, as the country fills, 

 we may hope to be in possession of. 



These short hints receive in earnest of my regard to many other 

 curious articles in thy History of Florida, that time will not allow. 

 I am sensible of the pains taken in it, and the neatness and accu- 

 racy of the performance. But I must not forget to tell thee how 

 much I am delighted to see thy progress in the Linngean system. 



I am sensible some expense hath attended in procuring paper, 

 paints, &c, for so many rare articles sent me. Pray accept of a 

 small token, of a guinea, for I can never retaliate them, than by 

 assuring thee I wish it may be ever in my power to serve thee as I 

 wish. 



P. COLLINSON, 



In haste. 



I have writ something in a hurry, that my ingenious friend 

 should not think I paid him the respect he deserved. He has 

 amply gratified my wishes to see the Coloeasia, and I desire no 

 more. 



As both letter and guinea may be lost, I have desired thy father 

 to pay it to thee, and I will make myself debtor to him for it. 



I desire he will be very sparing of his time for the future, in 

 employing it to oblige me, as there is not the least obligation ; and 

 it will make me uneasy to receive further marks of his friendship, 

 as I cannot make grateful returns. My love to father. 



