1742.1 SIR HANS SLOAN E. 303 



Shells and Petrifactions, which my very good friend, Mr. Peter 

 Collinson, hath delivered to me with great care ; and for which 

 I reckon myself very much obliged to you ; especially on account 

 of the remarks that you had sent along with them, in your letter 

 to me. 



The triangular arrow-head is of white chrystal, or spar ; the 

 like of which, in green jasper, I have had from Tierra del Fuego, 

 on the south side of the Straits of Magellan, used by the inhabi- 

 tants of that country. The Indian instrument you sent, was the 

 head of a hatchet, made of a sort of jasper. This, fitted to a 

 handle, was made use of by the Indians of Jamaica, and several 

 parts of the West Indies, for making their canoes, before they 

 were taught the use of iron and steel. I have one of them fitted 

 up for use by them. It's believed they could not make canoes, 

 and large periaguas, with these hatchets, before they had first with 

 fire made the part of the log, to be hollowed, into coal, to be fria- 

 ble, and brought out by the hatchets. 



I have, with the approbation of Mr. Collinson, sent you my 

 Natural History of Jamaica, together with the catalogue of the 

 plants I found there, referred to in that History ; whereby, you 

 may find what has been said by any authors I have seen, that 

 write of them. I should be glad to have some seeds, or samples of 

 your plants, for my collections of dried herbs, fruits, &c. 



I should be extremely pleased to know wherein I can be useful 

 to you, and retaliate the obligations you have laid upon 



Your most humble servant, 



Hans Sloane. 



January 16, 1741-2. 



JOHN BARTRAM TO SIR HANS SLOANE. 



November the 14th, 1742. 



Respected Friend, 



Sir Hans Sloane: I have received thy kind letter, and curious 

 books of thy history of Jamaica, which are very acceptable to me 

 (as are all such fine instructions, for I exceedingly delight in read- 

 ing books of Natural History or Botany). This noble present 

 engageth not only my grateful acknowledgment, but also my 

 endeavours to oblige thee with any curiosity my small capacity and 

 circumstance will conveniently afford ; and in compliance with thy 



