CORRESPONDENCE. 



DOCTOR FOTHERGILL TO HUMPHRY MARSHALL. 



London, 2d 3mo. 1767. 



Respected Friend : 



I received thy kind letter, as well as the box of seeds, and the 

 duplicate it contained. I think myself much indebted to thee, and 

 shall endeavour, as occasions may offer, to show that I am not in- 

 sensible of thy kindness, nor ungrateful. 



I knew not whether anything would be more acceptable to a 

 botanist, than Miller's Gardeners Dictionary, which I hope thou 

 will receive with this ; and if thou art possessed of one before, dis- 

 pose of it, and accept the produce as an acknowledgment for thy 

 kindness. 



As it may suit thy other concerns, I should be glad if thou 

 would proceed to collect the seeds of other American shrubs and 

 plants, as they fall in thy way ; and if thou meets with any curious 

 plant or shrub, transplant it at a proper time into thy garden, let 

 it grow there a year or two ; it may then be taken up in autumn, 

 its roots wrapped in a little moss, and laid in a coarse box, just 

 made close enough to keep out mice, but not to exclude the air. 



If thou knows of any plant possessed of particular virtues, and 

 that is known by experience to be useful in the cure of diseases, 

 this I should be glad to have in particular, both the parts used, 

 and seeds of the same. 



I accept thy offers to collect for me the curious animals of your 

 country, very readily; and, as I may, shall readily make such 

 acknowledgments as may be agreeable : and in doing this, I shall 

 take it kind, if thou will just point out in what manner I can render 

 thee most service. 



Except the Rattlesnake, I have scarce any of your reptiles, and 

 but few insects. Whatever of this kind occurs, may therefore be 



