346 LINN^US. 



off. If our travellers should take another trip, I 

 shall have seen them as IMoses saw Canaan. 



" When I ponder upon the insects they have 

 brought, I am overwhelmed at the reported number 

 of new species. Are there many new genera ? 

 Amongst all the insects sent from the Cape, I have 

 met with no new genus ; which is remarkable. And 

 yet, except four European ones, they are all new 

 species. 



" Pray make use of your interest with Solander, 



to inform me to what class and order the nutmeg 



belongs. I shall not take advantage of this infor- 



• mation without making honourable mention of my 



authority. 



" When I think of their Molhisca, I conceive the 

 new ones must be very numerous. These animals 

 cannot be investigated after death, as they contract 

 in dying. Without doubt, as there were draughts- 

 men on board, they would not fail to afford ample 

 materials for drawings. 



" Do but consider, my friend, if these treasures 

 are kept back, what may happen to them. They 

 may be devoured by vermin of all kinds. The 

 house where they are lodged may be burnt. Those 

 destined to describe them may die. Even you, the 

 promoter of every scientific undertaking in your 

 comitry, may be taken from us. All sublunary 

 things are uncertain, nor ought any thing to be 

 trusted to treacherous futurity. I therefore once 

 more beg, nay I earnestly beseech you, to urge the 

 publication of these new discoveries. I confess it 

 to be my most ardent wish to see this done before I 

 die. To whom can I urge my anxious wishes but 

 to you, who are so devoted to me and to science } 



