1743.] T0 JOHN BARTRAM. 311 



thy book of Mosses, which is very acceptable ; as also a great 

 parcel of paper for specimens and seed. This summer, I have not 

 gathered any Mosses, because I thought thee wanted no more, 

 after thy book was published ; and this fall, I have been long sick, 

 since I received thy letter. 



When I was upon the Katskill Mountains, last August, I found 

 a comical species of Lycopodium, which I gathered but lost it 

 upon the mount, in coming down : but if I should ever go there 

 again, I intend to search the mounts on purpose, having engaged a 

 hearty young fellow to go with me, and concluded to stay on them 

 a good share of a week, day and night. But since I have heard of 

 the death of my good friend, Lord Petre, I know not whether I 

 shall be employed again, and so my journeys may terminate. 

 But if I receive orders to travel again, I shall endeavour to serve 

 thee. I have collected a large parcel of seeds for thee, and sent in 

 a box, directed to P. Collinsox. There is the seed of the varie- 

 gated Clinopodium, and Virginia Yucca. This, and the spill- 

 ing Yucca, are all the Yuccas I know. I found a plant at the 

 falls of James River, which I planted in my garden, and the 

 second year, shot up a stalk four feet high, producing a long spike 

 of flowers, exceeding sweet smelling, like spice ; but it had the 

 exact characteristics of an Aloe. It hath not flowered these two 

 years. 



November the 29th, 1743. 



Respected Friend, 



Doctor Dillexius : I have sent thee two or three sorts of 

 Mosses, that I gathered in the country of the Five Nations, which 

 I think are a little different from any that thee has figured. Also, 

 I have sent thee a large collection of seeds of our country plants, 

 gathered in their proper season, and carefully dried, which I hope 

 many of them will grow with thee. 



In looking over thy curious book of Mosses, I can't find any 

 figure of the Old Man's Beard Moss,* which I saw grow in Virginia, 

 on the trees. It groweth six or seven feet long, and is fine food 



* John does not seem to have been aware at that time, that the "Old Man's 

 Beard Moss" is no moss at all, but a regular flowering plant (viz., the Tillandsia 

 usneoides, L.) ; and is referred to the same natural family with the delicious Pine- 

 apple. 



