4 io LETTERS. 
leaft, I cannot range it under any genus in Synge- 
nefia, Monogamia, though it belongs to the or- 
der. I have completely defcribed and fufficiently 
dried it. 
I have not omitted to fearch for proofs of the 
fea’s diminution; and I have found fome, which 
are I think very evident; 1 fhall do myfelf the 
honour of tranfmitting them the firft opportuni- 
ty to the Royal Academy of Sciences. For five 
days paft, the cold in Smyrna has been unufually 
fevere. The Florentine thermometer points to 68. 
The ice has been fo thick at the fides of the har- 
bour, that the Dutch have fkaited on it. The old- 
eft people in the town do not remember fuch fe- 
vere weather to have lafted fo long at any time 
before. If the winter in Upfala, is in proportion 
as fevere as this, God alone can fave Upfala garden. 
Being accuftomed to Swedifh winters, I Ihould 
not mind this, if I had but a Swedifh ftove. I am 
obliged to fit at a miferable coal fire to write this, 
and never was fo cold in Sweden, as in the mife- 
rable architedture of this country. I know not 
yet how foon the Patriarch, in whofe company I 
expedt to travel to Jerufalem, fets out ; but be- 
lieve, I lhall remain here another month. 
Smyrna, February 9, 1750. 
I JOYFULLY embrace every opportunity I 
have of writing to you, and think myfelf hap- 
py, whenever I can fulfil this my duty. 
I had the honour of tranfmitting a plant to 
you fome days ago, which I know not, the defcrip' 
tion now follows ; together with one of a Sepia (Cut' 
tie fifii.) If any miftakes have crept in to my de- 
fcriprions, I requeft your favourable corredtion, a? 
they are made by a young beginner. I have fir 
