LETTERS. 415 
when I faw them, nor could I find either living or 
dead infedts in any of them •, however, I defpair 
not of finding, at a proper time of the year, the 
infedts which make them. 
The Caprificus is planted in quantities round 
gardens for hedges ; 1 fuppofe, no Swedifh gardener 
will venture to plant thele trees for the fame ufe ; 
but by the fine hedges which ivy makes round the 
badly laid out gardens of this town, I am per- 
fuaded it would ferve for the fame purpofe, if we 
had it in fufficient quantities. The defcriptions, 
which I made to this time of quadrupeds, birds, 
amphibia and plants, amount to about 500 fpecies, 
which are all completely defcribed •, to which I 
may add as many obfervations on various fubjedts 
in Natural Hiftory. I fhall have the honour of 
fubmitting to your favourable judgment, as many 
of them as I can copy off, before my departure. 
I fend one inclofed ; I know not whether this bird 
is defcribed or not. The fubfidence of the fea is 
fo evident in this place, that it can fcarcely be 
eafier demonftrated in any other place, that the 
fea yearly decreafes. In the inclofed letter, to 
Secretary Elvius, I have fpoke my mind freely and 
clearly on this fubjedl, but feme things I have re- 
ferved to myfelf, which I wifh in time to relate to 
you in perfon ; and until then fhall fay no more 
on that fubjedt. 
May the Supreme Being let us fee the time, 
when our country may acquire honour and benefit 
from thofe things, which foreigners have paffed 
over on their travels, in which, as well as in almoft 
every thing elfe, we have been the laft ; but God 
be praifed ! we hope not the worlt in the world. 
Z 4 
Alexandria, 
