572 REV. SAMUEL- KRAMSH [1788. 



ricanum, or American Grove, to trouble you with a few lines. 

 But before I continue further, I must first acquaint you a little of 

 my person and place. 



I am a German by birth ; and, therefore, you will excuse my 

 faults in expressing in a strange language, which, for all, is very 

 agreeable to me in learning. I came to this country in the year 

 1783, at the latter end of it. I belong to that Society which is 

 called the United Brethren, or, as they call them here, the Mora- 

 vians. 



First I lived at Bethlehem, Northampton County ; but at the 

 latter end of the year 1786 I moved to Nazareth, eight miles from 

 thence, and eight miles distant from the Blue Mountains. I do 

 not know whether you know our Society or places, or not; but 

 that is no matter. 



As I loved the study of Natural History, and especially Botany, 

 from my childhood, I was very happy, also, in that respect, when 

 my call brought me to North America. The first year, I searched, 

 with great care, the country about Bethlehem, to examine new 

 plants I never saw before. The two following years, time would 

 not allow in following my inclination so as I would. I inquired 

 very often if nobody ever undertook to write a botanical work for 

 this country, a Flora Americana, or the like ; but I could not learn 

 of any. But how glad was I, when I first saw your excellent book 

 advertised. My colleagues in that science, viz., Rev. Mr. Hubner, 

 the Rev. Jacob Vax Vleck, and Dr. Kampman, each of us, we 

 procured us with it. 



I got new feal [qu. field ?] in Botany, when I came to Nazareth, 

 in searching the country round about. Natural History, and espe- 

 cially Botany, was one of the sciences I should teach here in our 

 boarding-school, or academy ; and my young scholars were exceed- 

 ing glad to see a book in that science also from their native coun- 

 try : and perhaps it is the first place where it is used as a school- 

 book. 



But, dear sir, though I am not a native of these states, but a 

 warm friend to them, and because it is my ardent wish that also 

 Natural History, as other sciences, should become more extensive 

 and flourishing, I beg your pardon that I remember here your 

 promise, given at the introduction to the American Grove. " The 

 author would have been happy, could he have given also a de- 

 scriptive catalogue of our native herbaceous plants. At present, 



