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Extra^s of a LETTER from Dr. Louimer, of Weft- 

 Florida^ to Hugh Williamson, M* D. Read before 

 the Society -i 2 ift Aprils 1 769. 



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one part of it particularly called to my mind an 

 introdu£tion to the conclufion of the modern part of the 

 Univerfal Hiftory, wherein the geography of this globe is 

 confidered in a new light, with a view to difcoveries. In 

 that article it is obferved, that the lines which meafure the 

 greateft length of the old and of the new continents are 

 nearly equal, and that they incline to the equator in the 

 fame angle, but in oppofite directions. It is farther re- 

 marked, that each of them divide their refped:ive conti- 

 nents into two trads of land almofl; of the fame fuperficial 

 contents, and that thcfc continents feem fixed by nature 

 as a counterpoize to one another. Your Society take notice 



of the fimilarity between the eafl fide of the old continent, 

 and the eaft fide of the new, in vegetable produdions, &c. 

 and vice verfa. Now let me contribute one proof of this 

 propofition amongft many others. The odoriferous fkim- 

 mi of japan is a native of Weft-Florida. Our agent is a 

 great naturalift, and particularly intent on procuring fpe- 

 cimens of this plant. I hope in a little time to be able to 

 ive you and him a pretty fatisfadory account of it. We 

 have a variety of {hrubs, with aromatic and odoriferous 



bark. I am really of opinion that the common plants have 

 a more exquifite flavour in this climate than in other coun- 

 tries. There is a kind of farfaparilla, which anfwers the 

 intention, but I quellion, whetlier it would fell well at firft. 

 We have fnake-root and many other medicinal plants, and 

 I do not doubt but fome articles, may be difcovered which 





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There is a beau- 



tiful kind of bean, which fome of our failors having eat 

 of, were furprized with a vomiting and purging, juft as 

 another crew were by eating poke for fallad. There is like- 

 wife a plant of the pea kind, faid to be ufed by the Indians 



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