1739.] TO JOHN BART RAM. 315 



my land, under the conduct of several gentlemen of fortune, who 

 came along with them. But these gentlemen perished, and most 

 of the people, and very little of their effects is saved. Some few 

 of these unhappy wretches are gone upon my land to make a 

 beginning, and will soon be followed by more. 



The bearer is a man of skill in his profession ; has been a great 

 traveller, and has great knowledge in Chemistry and Surgery. 

 Thus, as a virtuoso, I recommend him to you, and likewise as a 

 friend of Sir, your most humble servant, 



W. Byrd. 



Mrs. Byrd joins her best wishes with mine, for the happiness of 

 yourself and your family. 



JOHN BARTRAM TO COLONEL W. BYRD. 



[1739.] 



Dear Friend Colonel Byrd : 



I received thy kind letter by the post last winter, and another 

 dated March the 23d, which I received by the hand of thy friend, 

 Doctor Tschifeely, whom I received very kindly, and made as 

 welcome as my present circumstances would afford, for thy sake 

 having no other acquaintance than thine and another recommenda- 

 tion. 



I have this spring made several microscopical observations upon 

 the male and female parts in vegetables, to oblige some ingenious 

 botanists in Leyden, who requested that favour of me, which I 

 hope I have performed to their satisfaction, and as a mechanical 

 demonstration of the certainty of this hypothesis, of the different 

 sex, in all plants that have come under my notice. * 



* * I have made several successful experiments, of joining seve- 

 ral species of the same genus, whereby I have obtained curious 

 mixed colours in flowers, never knoAvn before ; but this requires an 

 accurate observation and judgment, to know the precise time. * * 



I hope by these practical observations to open a gate into a very 

 large field of experimental knowledge, which, if judiciously im- 

 proved, may be a considerable addition to the beauty of the florist's 

 garden. 



