1772.] TO WILLIAM BARTRAM. 345 



We have totally lost, in this country, the Tetragonotheca. Will 

 it be possible to get some seeds, or a few roots of it ? I believe 

 nobody in America knows it, or where it is to be found, but thyself. 



My garden is pretty large, well sheltered, and a good soil. The 

 North American plants flourish with me exceedingly. I have most 

 of the common plants usually sent over ; but have room for every- 

 thing. I am fond of the Ferns. I have several from America, 

 but not all. I do not want to have a specimen of every thing that 

 grows, in my garden ; but plants that are remarkable for their 

 figure, their fragrance, or their use, are exceedingly acceptable. 



I must own that with this inclination to increase my collection 

 of plants, I have very little time to spend amongst them. I see 

 them now and then, transiently. But I look forwards, and that it 

 is not impossible but I may live long enough to think it proper to 

 decline all business. Then an amusement of this kind will have 

 its use ; to lessen the tediousness of old age, and call me out to a 

 little exercise, when subsiding vigour prompts to too much in- 

 dulgence. 



I hope thou will perceive from this, that my regard for thy 

 deserts is undiminished, and that, for thy own sake, as well as my 

 deceased friend, P. Collinson's, I am thy assured friend, 



John Fothergill. 



DR. FOTHERGILL TO WILLIAM BARTRAM. 



London, 22d Oct., 1772. 



Respected Friend : 



I received thy obliging letter, and the drawings that accompanied 

 it. They are very neatly executed ; and I should be glad to 

 receive the like of any new plant or animal that occurs to thee. If 

 it was possible to be a little more exact in the parts of fructifica- 

 tion, and where these are very diminutive, to have them drawn a 

 little magnified, I should be pleased ; and at the same time if the 

 plants, or seeds of such curious plants, could be collected and sent 

 hither, it would be very acceptable. 



I should have wrote by the person who brought thy letter and 

 the drawings over, but he went away before I was apprised of it. 

 I shall desire Dr. Chalmers, of Charleston, to make thee a little 

 present for the drawings ; and I should be glad to contribute to thy 



