506 DOCTOR FOTHERGILL [1772. 



If thou wants any further helps, that I can give thee, let me 

 knoAv, and I shall supply them as far as I can. 



I am not yet in possession of a living root of your great Water 

 Lily, or Colocasia. I could wish to have a large one taken up in 

 autumn, well wrapped up in moss, and sent as early as may be 

 convenient, or else soon in the spring. 



I think I pointed out a method of sending over seeds in a state 

 of vegetation, by putting them on moist moss. All sorts of acorns 

 may be brought over this way, in a vegetating state, as well as 

 other seeds. 



I am now in possession of the common North American plants ; 

 but there are new discoveries made every day. Early spring 

 flowers of any kind, or plants or shrubs that are either useful or 

 curious in their appearance, will be acceptable ; and I shall not 

 value the things I receive merely by their quantity, but their 

 worth, when viewed in the light I have described. A curious Fern 

 is as acceptable to me as the most showy plant. 



If the box for insects is returned, please to deliver the key to 

 the Captain, that he may have it to open the box at the Custom 

 House ; otherwise it will be broke open, and the insects by this 

 means demolished. 



I am economist enough to save the covers of my letters, instead 

 of throwing them into the fire. I give them to my gardener to 

 wrap his seeds in ; some of them I have thrust into the empty box, 

 for the like purpose. 



If I should omit sending thee the future translations of 

 LiNNiEUs's w T ork, put me in mind of it. 



I am thy assured friend, 



J. FOTHERGILL. 



Near Middlewich, in Cheshire, 9th mo. 1772. 



Esteemed Friend, H. Marshall : 



Though I write this at a great distance from London, I have not 

 left that city, or its neighbourhood. For about ten weeks, every 

 summer, my sister and myself retire to this distance, in order to 

 enjoy a little quiet, and recess from the constant hurry we are 

 kept in during our residence in town. For, between the business 

 of my profession, attention to some services in the Society, and 

 various other engagements, I am kept in as constant a state of full 



