1763.] T0 DR - solander. 431 



1762, and a number of curious pamphlets, which I wish had been 

 in English, for Latin is too hard for me. 



I was so hurried, last year, in travelling, that I had not time to 

 answer thy letter to my desire, but desired our worthy friend 

 Peter to return my respects, and show thee the specimens I col- 

 lected in the Carolinas, and New Virginia, which I sent last fall. 



I have a glorious sight of curious plants, from the Carolina and 

 Alleghany Mountain seeds, coming up, which in time may furnish 

 my friend with variety of specimens : and I have engaged to go 

 with Colonel Bouquet down the Ohio to the Mississippi, when peace 

 is proclaimed, and he hath particular orders where to go, and what 

 to do, of which he is in daily expectation : so that, at present, it is 

 uncertain whether he will set out or return. But I shall not like 

 to be at New Orleans, or Mobile, in the latter part of summer, 

 when fevers are dangerous. 



If I should perform this journey, and Providence grant me a 

 safe return in health, I hope to make fine discoveries in this wil- 

 derness country. As the Colonel will take time to do his business 

 well, so I shall have time to make full discovery of what comes in 

 my way. 



We have had a cold, constant winter, and late spring ; but I 



have known it much colder. 



***** 



But most of the trees, or shrubs, that cast their leaves annually 

 there [in South Carolina], will bear our frosts tolerably well. 

 The Bignoniafoliis conjugatis ran up the northeast corner of my 

 house last summer, twenty feet high, the leaves and vines of which 

 are now very green. But one at the southwest end is bare of 

 leaves, though the vine is green. The Carolina Myrtles, several 

 sorts, all growing near the coast, keep their leaves green all winter : 

 but, I think, shed them in the spring, when young leaves put forth. 

 They cast them in the winter, with me, although I have one sort 

 from Jersey, that keeps them on till summer. 

 The Basteria, or Sweet Wood [Galycanthus floridus, _.], was ex- 

 posed to the severity of last winter ; yet I find not one bud hurt. 

 But the Bignonia, or Yellow Jessamine [G-ehemium nitidum, Mx.], 

 being an evergreen, is hurt, though under shelter. The Melia, 

 that I left out, is wholly killed. The Alcea [G-ordoniaf] is killed, 

 root and branch. 



