LINNiEUS. 353 



flattery. But to give due praise to supreme merit 

 in botanical science^, and to recommend, as they de- 

 serve, your most ingenious and most useful writings, 

 is a duty incumbent on me, as well as on all who 

 are not destitute of every spark of gratitude, for the 

 immense services which your labour and ingenuity 

 have rendered to the whole world. Nor are you, 

 sir, so little able to appreciate your own merits, as 

 not to be perfectly conscious that the attacks alluded 

 to originate in envy, rather than the commendations 

 you receive, in flattery. Compliments out of the 

 question, we certainly ought to give every one his 

 due. 



" But it is time to conclude. I venture to enclose 

 for your opinion the characters of a very handsome 

 plant, which seems to me a new genus. I am very 

 anxious that it should bear the name of my much- 

 valued friend, Mr Ellis ; and if, upon mature exa- 

 mination, you should judge it to be new, I wish 

 you would correct my description wherever it may 

 be necessary, and publish it in the new edition of 

 your Genera Plantarum, under the name of Ellisia, 

 This plant grows about the bases of the Apalachian 

 Mountains, rising annually from its old roots to the 

 height of about twelve feet, ornamented with whorls 

 of leaves, at the distance of eighteen inches from 

 eacli other. 



'' It only remains for me, sir, to beg your pardon 

 for this intrusion. I am well aware how many im- 

 portant labours you have on your hands, and you 

 probably have many more in prospect. Grant me 

 only your friendly assistance in my ardent prosecu- 

 tion of the study of nature ; and may you at the 

 same time go on advancing in reputation and sue- 



y 



