of John Bartram and Humphry Marshall. 89 
‘| have further to request thee to put up a little box of plants 
(yearly) in earth, such as thou finds in the woods, that are odd and un- 
common, . 
** What thee observes of the frost, to be sure, had the effect thee de- 
scribes. I once remember one like it in England ;,but the effects 
were not so severe. I hope, next year, thee will be able to make some 
selections that may make thee some returns. 
“The White Flowering Bay [Magnolia glauca, L.} is a plant that 
silver color on the back of the leaves. It bears a fine large white 
flower, like the water lily, of a fine perfumed smell, which is succeeded 
with a seed-vessel of a cone-like figure. 1 have a plant that flowers 
finely, in my garden. It is in abundance of places, in Maryland; but 
whether it is found more northward, I can’t say. It is a fine plant to 
adorn thy own garden. But give thyself no trouble about it: and, as 
the fir and cypress cones are not found near thee, we will wait for some 
more favorable opportunity to collect them. Send first those seeds that 
are near thee. 
“The box of seeds came very safe, and in good order. Thy re- 
marks on them are very curious; but I think take up too much of thy 
time and thought. I would not make my correspondence burdensome ; 
but must desire thee to continue the same collections over again; and 
present of part of these seeds to a very curious person [Lord Petre, ] 
I hope to procure thee some present for thy trouble of collecting. I 
am thy very sincere friend. P. CotLinson.”—pp. 
This letter proves that it was Collinson’s forethought and care 
which suggested the plan for making Bartram’s collections afford 
some reimbursement, and furnish the means for new journies and 
explorations. A paragraph in a succeeding letter shows that he 
had interested Lord Petre in the undertaking. 
“ London, March Ist, 1735. 
“Kind friend, Joan Bartram :—I am now just returned to town 
rom paying a visit to a noble lord, my most valuable and intimate 
friend. One of my proposals, I sent thee last year, to collect the seeds 
good suii of clothes, for thy own wear, might be as acceptable as any- 
ing, so have sent thee one, with all appurtenances necessary for its 
making up, which I hope will meet with thy approbation, and help in 
Some measure to compensate for thy loss of time. 
Srcoxp Serres, Vol. IX, No. 25.—Jan., 1850. 
