MR. DRUMMOND’S COLLECTIONS. 
you were removed with a common old pen- 
knife, not worth two cents., and that even 
this shabby article I could not have kept 
had the natives seen any thing to covet in 
t; and that I am obliged to leave behind 
my blanket and the few clothes that I have 
brought, because of the difficulty of carry- 
ing them, though I feel pretty sure I shall 
never see them again. These trifles I only 
mention to give you some idea of my pre- 
sent situation ; they do not affect me much, 
except as preventing me from pursuing the 
objects of my journey with the success that 
I could wish. I have not yet positively 
fixed my future plans, but I wish to go 
westward from San Felipe, and crossing 
the Rio Colorado, to trace it to its sources, 
if it be practicable.” 
San Felipe de Austin, Aug. 3, 1833 
“ Early in May last, I put up a box of 
specimens for you, while I was staying at 
Velasco, at the mouth of the Rio Brazos; 
and I then stated my intention of going to 
Brazosia, and proceeding higher up the 
country. This plan I accomplished, though 
in an unexpected manner, for the river had 
risen to a height so unprecedented, that a 
boat brought me across the prairies, which 
were flooded to a depth of from nine to 
fifteen feet! On arriving at Brazosia, I 
found the whole town avertiowad, And the 
a fon deep. I an therefore, that 
my stay should be as short as possible, 
and took the first opportunity of a boat to 
Bello, where I was so happy as to see 
some dry land; a commencement of the 
prairie country, which extends uninter- 
ruptedly to the West. I had been very 
‘uneasy about my luggage, which preceded 
me, and I feared it had been deposited in 
the stowage, where the water stood six or 
££ eight feet deep, and much property had 
been consequently destroyed: but all was 
safe, and after remaining a few days at 
Bello, to recruit my strength for the ; jour- 
ney, I commenced my walk to this place, 
collecting what plants I could find by the 
way. As it would be impossible to gie 
you a detailed account of my adventures 
in this letter, I will endeavour rather to 
AL 
convey to you some idea of the produce of 
the country. The collection which I left 
at the mouth of the river, amounted to 
one hundred species, and my list now 
contains three hundred and twenty, which 
are packed in excellent order: also, seeds, 
roots, and bulbs, with some bottles of 
reptiles. I hope these may reach Eu- 
rope safely; but I am not without fears 
on that score, as the cholera is raging in 
this neighbourhood, and has nearly depo- 
pulated Brazosia. My health continues 
good, since I recovered from that disease, 
although I am necessarily much exposed 
from the nature of my pursuits; the wea- 
ther, too, is extremely hot, probably nearly 
100° of Farenheit. From this place, I in- 
tend to proceed immediately to a distance 
of about forty miles, near the source of the 
Brazos, when I shall be nearly half way to 
the Colorado river; but I have no prospect 
except of carrying the requisite stock of 
paper myself, together with a change or 
two of linen, which this warm climate ren- 
ders absolutely necessary. Now that you 
are somewhat apprized of the nature of 
this country, I trust you will give me your 
advice as to my movements. If you think 
that the risk will be adequately repaid, I 
am most willing to proceed, nay, I am 
anxious to do so, that I may be able to 
communicate a good general idea of the 
Botany of Mexico. 
“About one-third of the plants collected 
on my route, were destroyed by the over- 
flowing of the river. Vegetation is now 
recommencing, but I never witnessed such 
“ahr le ; it has extended even two 
d miles higher up the river than 
this place. You will perceive that it is 
impossible for me to collect any thing like 
a given number of species in a certain 
time, though vegetation scarcely receives 
any Ha even during this winter, in 
climat 
E 
San Felipe de Austin, Oct. 28, 1833. 
“I have this day forwarded a box of 
specimens, together with some growing 
plants, and several bottles, containing the 
fruit of a shrub, and some curious lizards 
and snakes. Amongst the roots is one, ap- 
