1760.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 413 



Induced by reason and analogy, we are inclined to think that 

 the common Parent of all has not left the preservation of such 

 animals solely to the care and industry of man, to furnish them at 

 that season of the year with dry fodder only ; hut that proper 

 herbs and vegetables are afforded them to support themselves, at 

 least in some tolerable condition. 



We know that nature has disseminated her bounties variously, 

 through the habitable world, so that some species of fruits and 

 herbs arise spontaneously in one country, and others in another ; 

 but that most of them are capable of being transplanted, and will 

 thrive in the most distant regions. 



It is the business of the philosopher and naturalist to explore 

 these treasures of nature, and spread the knowledge and use of 

 them for the benefit of mankind. 



Such are the sentiments of the Society I have the honour to be 

 secretary to, and they address themselves to you as animated with 

 the same generous way of thinking. 



All the plants, herbs, and grasses, which grow here, in England, 

 both in winter and summer, are enumerated in Ray's synopsis. 



If there are any other species that flourish in the winter season 

 with you, not cited by Ray, and proper for the food of cattle, in 

 the above-mentioned months, the Society beg the favour of you to 

 transmit an account of them, with the nature of the soil they grow 

 in, and the culture they require : and intreat you to procure a suf- 

 ficient quantity of the seeds of each kind, to try the experiment of 

 their thriving here, in England, and to send, at the same time, a 

 botanical description of them. 



Your kindness in answering these requests will lay an indispen- 

 sable obligation on the Society to requite the favour, whenever 

 they shall have it in their power ; and, with the greatest pleasure, 

 they will embrace the opportunity. 



I have the honour to subscribe myself, in the name of the 

 Society, 



Your most obedient humble servant, 



Peter Temple.man, 



Secretary. 

 Strand, London, September 16, 1760. 



