500 DOCTOR FOTHERGILL [1769. 



would be worth while to collect as many of these as possible ; plant 

 them not far asunder ; observe their diversity, and send the most 

 curious. These, next to the Martagons, I should be glad to have. 

 Raise them from seed, at home, and send the plants in boxes of 

 earth, two or three of the different kinds. 



The seeds of Pines, and acorns of all sorts, may be promis- 

 cuously thrown amongst them. We take care of all the earth we 

 receive plants in, spread it carefully in a border, and oft receive 

 some curiosity which perhaps our correspondents did not know was 

 contained in their present. I think I mentioned the Oolocasia, in 

 my last, a water plant with a large pleasing flower, a very broad 

 leaf, and a most singular seed-vessel. It grows in some parts of 

 the Jerseys. Send us some seeds in a pot of mud, just covered 

 with bladder or leather, to keep it a little moist. And some of the 

 large tuberous roots, likewise, some wrapped round with moss and 

 put in a box without anything else, some put in a cask near full of 

 mud, and a few gimlet-holes made in the upper part to admit of a 

 little air. I would not desire thee to travel far in search of any- 

 thing curious. Observe carefully what lies within the reach of thy 

 usual business ; and I shall endeavour to satisfy thee for thy pains 

 herein. 



If the seedling plants, intended for me, were planted in boxes 

 early in autumn to take a little root, and sent by the latest ships 

 hither, with the seeds, or else shipped early in the spring, so as to 

 arrive here in the third or fourth month, they would come very 

 seasonably. But please to remember to raise a few of all the 

 curious plants whose seeds occur to thee, and send here, and some 

 of the seeds likewise, together with any account thou can collect 

 of their real virtues and uses. 



I believe John Bartram's son had directions from me, through 

 our late friend, P. Collinson, to make me a collection of draivings, 

 together with an account of all your land Tortoises. If, therefore, 

 anything upon this subject occurs to thee, or thou meets with any 

 new kind, please to send them to him. 



It is very admirable that you abound with many plants, many 

 animals, altogether unknown in other parts of the globe, not 

 dissimilar in temperature. Crolden rods, Asters, Lychnoideas, 

 Sunflowers, you have more than all the world besides. Tortoises, 

 I think, likewise, and some other animals, are peculiarly abundant 

 with you. 



