1755.] PHILIP MILLER. 377 



fall, any other curiosity thee pleases to mention : for time is so 

 far spent, past our meridian, that the affair calls for diligence. 



I design to collect specimens of our Pines, just when they are in 

 flower, and the young cone just impregnated, which is to ripen, 

 not this ensuing fall, but the next ; when it immediately dis- 

 charged its seed, before it is well dry ; whereas other trees keep 

 their cones shut for several years, containing perfect ripe seeds, 

 and then discharge them. Pray, do all your European Pines set 

 their cones on the same spring's shoot, and perfect them the suc- 

 ceeding year or the second year's wood, as, by your draught, the 

 Scotch Pine doth ? Although the species of Pines, and Fir, may, 

 many of them, be distinguished by their cones, in Europe, they are 

 no certain distinguishing character in America, except Lord Wey- 

 mouth's Pine. * * * * 



* * I am obliged to thee, for thy good advice, to 

 contract my descriptions. I own, the leaves, acorns, and espe- 

 cially the cups, are very material in ascertaining the different spe- 

 cies of our Oaks ; yet the description of the bark, and form of 

 growth, are useful helps, in our mature Oaks. I can often dis- 

 cover our different species of Oaks, one from another, by their 

 form of growth, half or a whole mile distance ; and I am sure he 

 must be very sharp-sighted that can know them, at half that dis- 

 tance, by their leaves, acorns, and cups, all together. 



I take thy offer very kindly, to assist me in understanding 

 Linnaeus' s system, which I am acquainted with in some degree ; 

 having several books of his setting forth, which Dr. Gronovius, 

 my good friend, hath sent me ; and Mons. Dalibard sent me his 

 Catalogue of Plants growing near Paris ; and Hill hath nearly 

 translated Linisleus's Characters. But I find many plants that 

 do not answer to any of his Genera, and are really new. 



I have an account that he hath published, lately, two books con- 

 taining all our North American plants which Kalm observed, when 

 he was with us. I showed him many, that he said were new 

 Genera, and that Linn^ius must make many alterations, when he 

 was by him more truly informed of their true characters, as I 

 should soon see when they were printed. I long to see these books, 

 to see if they have done me justice, as Kalm promised me. Dr. 

 Gronovius promised to send them to me, as soon as they came to 

 his hand. 



I shall be much obliged to thee for thy Figures of Plants, as 



