MUSEUM
SB
109
E47
ELLIS, JOMN.
DIRECTIONS FOR
BRINGING OVER
SEEDS.

SEMECOLOGICAL LIBRARY
HE-
AND COLLECTIONS.GIFT OF
0:3 HOWARD:A.KELLY.M.D.
MAIL
TO THE UNIVERSITY-HER-
BARIUM OF THEUNIVERSI-
TY-OF-MICHIGAN: 1928.
مم

Museum
SB
109
E47
Keamy
Barrel


UNIL
OF
MICH

The Box with West India and
N. Florida plants shut down
with the openings at the ends and front left for fresh dir.
The Cosk for sowing cast India seeds with
the openings defended by Wire.
A
D
A I
The Inside of the box shewing the manner of securing the roots of W Hlorida
and WIndia plants surrounded with earth f mofo tried with packthread
TheBox with divisions for sowing different and fastond orofo fcrofs with lathis or packthread to keep them stady.
Jeeds in earth & cut mofo from the sou-
thern Colonies and the West Indies.

D I R E C T I O N S
FOR BRINGING OVER
SEEDS AND PL AN TS,
FROM
THE EAST. IN DIES
Α Ν D
OTHER DISTANT COUNTRIES,
IN
A S Τ Α Τ Ε Ο F V Ε G Ε Τ Α Τ Ι Ο Ν :
TOGETHER WITH
A CATALOGUE of ſuch FOREIGN PLANTS as are worthy of being encouraged
in our AMERICAN Colonies, for the Purpoſes of MEDICINE, AGRICUL-
TURE, and COMMERCE.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
The Figure and Botanical Deſcription of a new Sensitive Plant, called
DI O N Æ A M U S CIPU LA:
O R,
F L Y . T R A P.
V E N US's
BY
JOHN E L L IS,
F. R. S.
L O N D ON,
Printed; and ſold by L. DAVIS, Printer to the Royal Society,
oppoſite Gray's-Inn, Holborn,
MDCCLXX.
1770


Museum
(1)
راه
14-7-37
Directions for Captains of Ships, Sea Surgeons, and other
curious Perſons, who collect Seeds and Plants in diftant
Countries, in what Manner to preſerve them fit for
Vegetation.
IT
سی بی کے کئی محرم 2
T might be reaſonably ſuppoſed, from the great quantity and
variety of ſeeds which we yearly receive from China, that we
ſhould ſoon be in poſſeſſion of the moſt valuable plants of that
vaſt empire; yet it is certain, that ſcarce one in fifty ever comes
to any thing, except a few varieties of annual plants, which have
been common in our gardens for many years. The intention of
thoſe who purchaſe or collect theſe ſeeds is, without doubt, to
oblige the curious in theſe kingdoms, by procuring what they
ſuppoſe may prove both ornamental and uſeful: but how contrary
to their intentions do their friends find it, who, being under great
obligations for this expenſive preſent, have the mortification to be
totally diſappointed in their expectations! Theſe remarks are
therefore intended to prevent, if poſſible, the like diſappointments
for the future.
The crafty Chineſe traders, perceiving that many of the Euro-
peans who buy theſe ſeeds are very little acquainted with the nature
B
of

( ( 2 )
a
of them, take the advantage of their want of knowledge; and, in
order the better to deceive them, put up a great variety of forts in
a very neat manner: when the ſeeds arrive here, and come to be
examined by perſons of judgement, they ſoon find that moſt of
them have been collected many years; conſequently are decayed,
and of no value. To prevent this fraud for the future, it would be
proper to examine the ſtate they are in before they are purchaſed.
And though it is very difficult to judge how long they may have
been gathered, yet we may form a tolerable judgement of them by
cutting ſome of the larger ones acroſs, and bruiſing the ſmaller
ones: By the help then of a magnifying glaſs of two inches focus,
we may diſcover, whether their internal part, which contains the
ſeminal leaves, appears plump, white, and moiſt. If ſo, theſe are
good ſigns of their being in a vegetating ſtate; but if they are
ſhriveled, inclining to brown or black, and are rancid, they can-
not in the leaſt be depended upon.
The reſident factors in China are the propereſt perſons to col-
lect the choiceſt kinds; they will follow any uſeful hints with
chearfulneſs. Many valuable trees, unknown in Europe, grow in
the northern provinces of China; the feeds of theſe may be ob-
tained by means of the miſſionaries at Pekin: that climate, though
in 40 degrees of North latitude, is liable to more ſevere cold than
ours in winter. So that trees from thence would thrive well with
us in the open air, but much better in the ſame latitude of North-
America, on account of the great heat of the American ſummers.
The Secretary of the Royal Society of London correſponds with
the Miſſionaries; and there is no doubt but, upon a proper applica-
tion, they would with pleaſure oblige the Society, as they have
done formerly, in ſending many curious ſeeds. But as the diſtance
is great, and the manner of preſerving the ſeeds properly, ſo as to
keep them in a ſtate of vegetation, is an affair of conſequence, the
following
a
.

(3)
following hints may be of uſe in bringing them over to anſwer
the end propoſed.
In the firſt place it ought to be carefully attended to, that the
ſeeds ſhould be perfectly ripe when they are gathered; and they
ſhould be gathered, if poſſible, in dry weather; afterwards they
ſhould be ſpread thin on paper or matts, in a dry airy room,
but not in ſunſhine. The time neceſſary for this operation will vary
according to the heat of the climate, or ſeaſon of the year, from
a fortnight to a month, or perhaps two may be neceſſary; the
hotter the ſeaſon, the leſs time will ſuffice. This is to carry off their
ſuperfluous moiſture, which if confined would immediately turn
to mouldineſs, and end in rottenneſs.
As there are two methods that have ſucceeded, and put us in
poſſeſſion of ſeveral young plants of the true tea-tree of China, I
ſhall mention them both, in order to aſſiſt the collector in bring-
ing home the feeds of many valuable plants.
The firſt is by covering them with bees-wax in the manner
explained in the Phil. Tranſact. vol. LVIII. p. 75. and which is
hereafter deſcribed; where the acorns vegetated freely after they
had been kept a whole ſeaſon incloſed in wax*.
* Here we muſt obſerve, that, in the experiment made on the oak acorns incloſed in wax,
they were not put into it till the latter-end of February, though they had been ripe and fallen
from the tree four months before, which was the latter-end of October preceding; not but that
they might have been ſafely incloſed much ſooner.
However, by this time, that property, which all living ſubſtances, as well animal as vege-
table, of imbibing and perfpiring, was very much abated; for the ſeeds of vegetables, like
animals in their torpid ſtate, do imbibe and perſpire to a certain degree; yet this degree
greatly diminiſhes in proportion to the time they are kept (under certain circumſtances of the
manner in which they are kept) till at laſt they loſe their vegetating power. So that we ſee
how neceſſary it is, that the larger ſeeds, that are intended to be incloſed in wax, ſhould be in
ſuch a ſtate, as not to ſend forth too great a quantity of aqueous moiſture, and yet that there
ſhould be ſufficient to ſupport them in this confined ſtate. Many of the tea-ſeeds lately ſent
over in wax have periſhed for want of this caution.
Skilful perſons, by cutting fome of them open and obſerving the ſtate of the kernels, will
be able, after different experiments, to hit on the critical time for this operation.
It
B 2

( 4 )
It principally confifts in chooſing only ſuch feeds as are per-
fectly found and ripe. To prove this, we muſt cut open ſome of
them to judge what ſituation the reſt may be in, taking care
to lay aſide any that are outwardly defective, or marked with
the wounds of inſects. When a proper choice of them is
made, they ſhould be wiped extremely clean, to prevent any
dirt
or moiſture being incloſed; each feed then ſhould be rolled up
carefully in a coat of ſoft bees-wax half an inch thick: the deep
yellow Engliſh bees-wax is the beſt. When you have covered
the number you intend to incloſe, pour ſome of this bees-wax
melted into a chip-box of fix or ſeven inches long, four broad,
and three deep, till it is above half full; and juſt before it begins
to harden, while it is yet fluid, put in the ſeeds you have rolled
up in rows till the box is near full; then pour over them ſome
more wax while it is juſt fluid, taking care when it is cold to ſtop
all the cracks or chinks that may have proceeded from the ſhrink-
ing of the way, with ſome very ſoft wax; then put on the cover
of the box, and keep it in as cool and airy a place as you can.
The method of incloſing tea-ſeeds fingly in wax, and bringing
them over in that ſtate, has beeen practiſed for ſome time; but few
have ſucceeded, owing to the thinneſs of the coat of wax, or
putting paper firſt round them, or incloſing them too moiſt.
The ſtones of mangoes have been covered in the ſame manner,
but moſt of them have been pierced by inſects through the wax,
and of many of them that were not pierced, their kernels were
black and hard; a plain proof they had been too dry before they
were incloſed, and that theſe large ſtones require as ſtrong a
covering of wax as the oak acorns, to prevent the air or inſects
coming to them.
It appears from experiments made by curious perſons in the
Eaſt-Indies, that mangoes will vegetate ſooner by fowing only
the

( 5 )
the kernels: if then ſome of the ripeſt kernels were taken out of
the ſtones cautiouſly, without bruiſing them, and preſerved in the
fame manner as the oak acorns, it would be an experiment worth
trying, in order to obtain this moſt valuable tree, eſpecially if ſome
of theſe kernels ſo preſerved were taken out of the wax at St.
Helena, and ſown in boxes of freſh earth. The ſame might be
practiſed with ſucceſs on the tea-ſeeds, as ſome of my friends, who
have taken this hint, have experienced very lately.
The ſecond method that has been tried with ſucceſs is, by pro-
curing the tea-ſeeds in their pods or capſules, when they are
brought down freſh from the tea-country at the latter-end of the
year, to Canton, at the time that our Eaſt-India ſhips are preparing
to depart for Europe. The ſeeds then in their pods are to be put
into pound or half-pound caniſters made of tin and tutenague *,
with a double rim to the top: the inſide of the caniſter ſhould be
firſt lined with ſilk paper, or the paper commonly uſed in China,
and the ſeeds preſſed down cloſe, but not ſo as to be bruiſed. When
the caniſter is near full to the neck, ſome more of the ſame
paper
muſt be ſtuffed in very cloſe, till it is full to the top, and then the
double-rimmed cover ſhould be put on very tight. Care muſt be
taken that the ſeeds are not too moiſt when they are put into the
caniſter, and that they are found and in good order. The caniſterthenis
to be kept in an airy cool place. If the ſhip arrives early in England,
I mean in June or the beginning of July, they may be fown with
fucceſs; the ſooner it is done, the better chance we ſhall have of
a
a
* Whether there is any particular antiſeptic quality or power of reſiſting putrefaction in
the metallic parts of theſe kind of caniſters, 1 will not pretend to determine; but it is moſt
certain, that there are ſulphureous mineral ſteams, very perceivable to perſons of a nice ſenſe
of ſmelling, that are continually flowing from almoſt all metallic ſubſtances, eſpecially in hot
weather; which ſteams being confined, may probably reſiſt putrefaction, and deſtroy inſects
in vegetable bodies; and perhaps theſe may rather promote than impair their vegetative
powers, as I ſhall ſhew hereafter in an inſtance of the uſe of common ſulphur applied for this
purpoſe; for moſt of the tea-ſeeds had puſhed forth roots in the caniſter.
theit

( 6 )
their growing. Thoſe ſeeds which I have ſeen brought home in
this manner, had ſhot out roots, owing to the heat of the climates
they had paſſed through, and the confined moiſture; and though
not above twenty out of two hundred in the caniſter ſucceeded, yet
theſe are thought a great acquiſition. Perhaps there would be leſs
danger of ſomany of them putrefying, if each capſule with its ſeeds
was wrapped up tight in a ſeparate piece of paper, and afterwards
cloſely packed in the caniſter as before-mentioned. We ſee how
long oranges, lemons, and other fruit wrapped up ſingly in papers,
and put into cloſe packages, will continue found by the papers
ab-
ſorbing the moiſture that muſt exſude from them, and which pre-
vents their heating and putrefying.
Tea-ſeeds, put up in this manner, require leſs trouble than thoſe
that are rolled up ſingly, and afterwards immerſed in melted wax.
Experience will determine which is the beſt method. When the
ſhip arrives at St. Helena, they may be eaſily examined to ſee in
what ſtate they are, by cutting ſome of them open ; and if they
are ſound, ſome of them ſhould be ſown immediately in caſes or
tubs of freſh earth, well ſecured from rats, and the vacancy made
in the caniſter immediately filled up, and ſtuffed very cloſe with
the ſame ſort of paper, to prevent the air getting to the reſt, which
would ſoon ſpoil them. Theſe that are thus put into earth ſhould
have but little water given to them till they paſs the tropic of Can-
cer; otherwiſe they will ſpire up very weak, from the great heat,
and want of a free circulation of good air.
It might be proper, after the ſhip has paſſed the tropic of Can-
cer, near the latitude of 30 degrees North, to ſow ſome more ſeeds
in the ſame boxes, by which experiment we may judge the better
of the propereſt place to ſow the ſeeds at ſea. It has been prac-
tiſed by many, to ſow the ſeeds immediately on leaving China;
but this is rarely attended with ſucceſs, particularly on account of
the bad weather too often met with in coming round the Cape of
Good

(7)
Good Hope; beſide, the young plants are apt to grow too freely
and ſlender in their confinement, and therefore leſs able to bear the
cold air when they arrive in this latitude.
If by chance the tops of ſuch plants as come up ſhould be broken
off by any accident, the earth and feeds ſhould not be thrown away,
for the remaining part of the ſtem next to the ſeed will ſhoot up
afreſh, as I have experienced in the pot of oak acorns (that grew
after they had been preſerved a ſeaſon in wax); ſome of the tender
young plants were by accident broke off ſhort cloſe to the earth ;
but before the ſummer was over they grew up again, full as vigo-
rouſly as thoſe that were not hurt.
The following is a deſcription of a proper-ſized box to fow the
ſeeds in, in the Eaſt-Indies or on the voyage. It ſhould be three
feet long, fifteen inches wide, and eighteen or twenty inches deep,
or more, as it may be found convenient, with a proper cover of
wire to ſecure the ſeeds or young plants from vermin, and a lid
with hinges to ſhut down over the wire, as there may be occaſion,
and a handle at each end, to move the box eaſier to and fro. The
ends of the box near the top muſt be bored full of holes, to let the
crude vapours paſs off that ariſe while the cover is obliged to be
let down; or a fmall valve or wooden ſhutter at each end to oper
outwards, of fix inches long and three broad; the openings to be
defended with wire, to prevent the rats getting into the box. This
hint is ſufficient to Thew that air is abſolutely neceſſary, and an
ingenious carpenter will eaſily contrive ſmall doors or openings all
round for the health of the young plants.
Or a caſk, perhaps, may be made equally as convenient for this
purpoſe, as the cooper on board a ſhip has always ſpare caſks
more ready than boxes. The following is the proportion it ſhould
be of: two feet three inches high, two feet bung diameter, and
one foot nine inches head diameter; there ſhould be a large opening
at the top wired over, the wired part of which might be lified
up at pleaſure, and a lid with hinges to cover it; this may
be
2

( 8 )
be either circular or ſquare, as will be moſt convenient, the larger
the better; and on the upper part of the fides there may be four or
five little openings wired, with doors to each, for the ſake of giv-
ing air all round upon ſome occaſions. Care muſt be taken not to
expoſe the young plants to ſtrong ſunſhine: ſometimes, when the
lid and doors are open,
it
may be neceſſary to throw a matt or thin
cloth over them, but this muſt depend on the judgement of the
perſon who has the care of them; there ſhould be handles fixed to
the ſides, to move it with more ſafety.
There ſhould be a layer of wet moſs, of two or three inches
deep, at the bottom of the box or caſk; or, if that cannot be got,
fome very rotten wood or decayed leaves, and then freſh loamy
earth, about twelve inches deep, both of which will fink to a foot
deep: the wet moſs is intended to retain moiſture, and to keep the
earth from drying too ſoon.
The ſurface of the earth ſhould be covered with moſs cut ſmall,
which now and then on the voyage ſhould be waſhed in freſh
water, and laid on the earth again to keep the ſurface moiſt, and to
waſh off mouldineſs or ſaline vapours which may have ſettled on
it. When the plants come up, it will be proper to ſave what rain-
water can be got, which will encourage their growth, and be of
more ſervice than the water drawn out of caſks that have been
long on board the ſhip.
Theſe kind of boxes or caſks will be very proper to fow many
ſorts of ſuch ſeeds in as are ſo difficult to be brought from China,
and other parts of the Eaſt-Indies, to Europe in a vegetating ſtate;
ſuch as the lechee, mangoes, mangoſteens, pepper, marking nuts,
various ſorts of peaches, roſes, oranges, citrons, lemons, &c.
And nothing can be more convenient than theſe caſks, for ſend-
ing olive plants, capers, young vines, &c. &c. to our diſtant Ame-
rican plantations. The fize may be varied as the plants to be ſent
may require.
To

(9)
To this I muſt add a method that promiſes ſucceſs for bringing
over plants from the Weſt-Indies, and the ſouthern parts of North-
America, particularly Weſt-Florida, the voyage from hence being
longer than from the Weſt-Indies, and more attention is required
to keep the plants in health, than from any other parts of our
North-American ſettlements: but as there is a good deal of
difference in the climates of theſe places, it will be neceſſary to
obſerve, that plants from the Weſt-Indies ſhould be put on
board in the latter-end of Spring, ſo as to arrive here in warm
weather, otherwiſe they will be deſtroyed by the cold of this lati-
tude; and the ever-greens, which are the moſt curious from Weſt-
Florida, muſt be ſent in the winter months, while their juices are
inactive, ſo as to arrive here before the heats come on. If the
plants ſent from theſe countries were planted in pots or boxes,
and kept there a year, they might be brought over with very
little hazard; or even if they were firſt tranſplanted from the
woods into a garden, till they had formed roots, they might be
fent with much more ſafety.
The ſize of the boxes that will be moſt convenient for ſtowing
them on board merchant-lhips, where there is very little room to
ſpare, ſhould be three feet long, fifteen inches broad, and from
eighteen inches to two feet deep, according to the ſize of the
young trees; but the ſmalleſt will be moſt likely to ſucceed, pro-
vided they are well rooted. There muſt be a narrow ledge nailed
all round the inſide of the box, within fix inches of the bottom,
to faſten laths or packthread to form a kind of lattice-work, by
which the plants may be the better ſecured in their places. If the
plants are packed up juſt before the ſhip fails, it will be ſo much
the better.
When they are dug up, care muſt be taken to preſerve as much
earth as can be about their roots; and if it ſhould fall off, it muſt
с
be

(10)
be ſupplied with more earth, ſo as to form a ball about the roots
of each plant, which muſt be furrounded with wet moſs, and
carefully tied about with packthread, to keep the earth about the
roots moiſt: perhaps it may be neceſſary to inclofe the moſs with
fome paper or broad leaves (as the palmetto) that the packthread
may bind the moſs the cloſer. Loamy earth will continue moiſt
the longeſt. There muſt be three inches deep of wet moſs put
into the bottom of the box,, and the young trees paced in rows up-
right cloſe to each other, ſtuffing wet moſs in the vacancies
between them, and on the ſurface; over this palmetto leaves, if
to be had, ſhould be put to keep in the moiſture, and over them
the laths are to be faſtened croſs and croſs to the ledges or pack-
thread to be laced to and fro, to keep the whole ſteady and tight.
The lid of the box ſhould be either nailed down cloſe, or may
have hinges and a padlock to ſecure it from being opened, as may
be found neceſſary, with proper directions marked on it to keep
the lid uppermoſt. There muſt be two handles fixed, one at each
end, by which means there will be leſs danger of diſturb-
ing the plants. Near the upper part of the ends of the box,
there muſt be ſeveral holes bored to give air: or in making
the box there may be a narrow vacancy left between the
boards of one-third of an inch wide, near the top, to let out the
foul air; and perhaps it may be neceſſary to nail along the upper
edge of theſe openings liſt, or flips of fail-cloth, to hang over
them, to ſecure the plants from any ſpray of the ſea; and at the
ſame time it will not prevent the air from paſſing through.
Boxes with plants packed in this manner, muſt be placed where
there is free air, that is, out of the way of the foul air of the
ſhip’s hold.
If the plants ſhould be taller than the depth of the box men-
tioned here, they may be placed length-ways in the ſame fized
boxes: but then care muſt be taken to ſecure their roots in the
moſs

(1
moſs at one end of the box, ſo as not to be ſhook out of their
places, and laths ſhould be nailed acroſs the inſide to ſupport their
branches, and keep them from preſſing upon one another. The
beſt moſs that can be uſed on theſe occaſions is the Sphagnum pa-
luſtre, or ſwamp moſs, which is very ſoft, whitiſh, and ſpongy;
it will retain water a long time, and not be liable to putrefy.
The following method of preſerving ſeeds from turning rancid
from their long confinement, and the great heat of the climates
which they muſt neceſſarily paſs through from China, was com-
municated to me ſome years ago by the celebrated Profeſſor
Linnæus, of Upſal, in Sweden. He adviſes, that each fort of
ſeed ſhould be put up in ſeparate papers, with fine ſand among
them, to abſorb any moiſture (dried, loamy, or ſoapy earth may
be tried): theſe papers, he ſays, ſhould be packed cloſe in cylindri-
cal glaſs, or earthen veſſels, and the mouths covered over with a
bladder, or leather tied faſt round the rims: he then directs that
theſe veſſels, with the feeds in them, ſhould be put into other
veſſels, which ſhould be ſo large, that the inner veſſel may be co-
vered on all fidés, for the ſpace of two inches, with the following
mixture of falts. Half common culinary ſalt; the other half to
conſiſt of two parts of falt-petre, and one part of ſal-ammoniac,
both reduced to a powder, and all thoroughly mixed together, to
be placed about the inner veſſel, rather moiſt than dry. This he
calls a refrigeratory; and ſays it will keep the ſeeds cool, and hin-
der putrefaction. Perhaps if ſmall tight boxes, or caſks or bottles
of feeds were incloſed in caſks full of falts, it might be of the ſame
uſe, provided the ſalts do not get at the feeds; and as ſal-ammo-
niac may not be eaſily met with, half common falt, and the other
half falt-petre, or common falt alone, might anſwer the ſame end.
But it would be very neceffary to try both methods, to know whe-
ther the latter would anſwer the purpoſe of the former, as it would
be attended with much leſs trouble, and might prove a uſeful
method
C 2

( 12 )
method to our ſeedſmen, in fending ſeeds from hence to thoſe
warm climates.
The ſmalleſt ſeeds being very liable to loſe their vegetative
power by long voyages through warm climates, it may be worth
while to try the following experiment upon ſuch kinds as we
know for certain are found. Dip fome ſquare pieces of cotton
cloth in melted wax, and while it is ſoft and almoſt cold, ſtrew
the ſurface of each piece over with each ſort of ſmall ſeed, then
roll them up tight, and incloſe each roll in ſome ſoft bees-wax,
wrapping up each of them in a piece of paper, with the name of
the ſeed on it; theſe may be either ſurrounded as before with ſalts,
or packed without the ſalts in a box, as is moſt convenient.
There are many ſeeds, which we receive both from the Weſt-
Indies and the ſouthern parts of our North-American colonies, as
South Carolina, Georgia, &c. which the gardeners find very difficult
to raiſe here, unleſs the following method is purſued. Divide a
box, according to your quantity and forts of ſeeds, into ſeveral
ſquare partitions ; then mix the ſeeds with loamy earth and cut
moſs, and put each fort into its ſeparate cell, filling it up to the
top: the earth and moſs muſt be rather inclining to dry than wet;
then nail the lid down very cloſe on your box, keeping it in an
airy ſituation. If the voyage does not exceed two months, they
will arrive in good order in the ſpring; and, though many of them
may begin to germinate, yet, if they are fown directly, they will
fucceed much better than thoſe that are brought over in papers, as
is well known to our moſt curious gardeners. Seeds of the nutmeg-
tree from Tobago, the cinnamon-tree, the cacao or chocolate-nut,
and Avocado pear, muſt be brought in this manner. Seeds of all
the forts of magnolias, ſtewartias, chionanthus, and many others
from South-Carolina, will ſucceed better this way, than any other
method we yet know.
be There

( 13 )
O
Thereare many valuable feeds may be brought from the South of
France, Italy and Turkey, particularly the rarer kinds of oaks, the
Alkermes oak, the Velani oak, the gall-bearing oak, which ought to
be preſerved in bees-wax, as the voyage is often very long, and the
Turkey fhips frequently detained on account of the quarantine.
The feeds of many of the ſmall ſucculent fruits may be brought
to England from very diſtant parts, by preſſing them together,
ſqueezing out their watery juices, and drying them in ſmall cakes
gradually, that they may become hard; they may be then wrapt
up in white writing paper, not ſpongy, as this is apt to attract and
retain moiſture: but I believe it will be found, that a covering of
wax will be better than one of paper.
The Alpine ſtrawberry was firſt ſent to England in a letter from
Turin to Henry Baker, Eſq; F. R. S. by preſſing the pulp with the
ſeeds thin upon paper, and letting it dry before they were incloſed.
The paper mulberry from China was brought hither about the year
1754, much in the ſame manner. Formerly, varieties of the Ar-
butus, from the ſouthern parts of France, were broughtover inthin
dried cakes; and a few years ago the Arbutus Adrachne ſeeds were
ſent in the ſame manner from Aleppo by the late Dr. Al. Ruſſel.
Our mulberries, ſtrawberries, and other ſucculent fruits, may be
conveyed to diſtant parts by the ſame method. The pulp, when
dried, hardens like a varniſh, and keeps the ſeeds from the air (pro-
vided they are kept dry), as the larger kinds are by bees-wax.
Theſe hints may prompt us to try the larger ſucculent fruits;
for inſtance, the mangoes, lechees, and others of this kind: if their
fleſhy part, when they are very ripe, was brought to the conſiſtence
of raiſins or dried figs, it would keep their kernels plump, and in
this ſtate they might be better preſerved in wax, than by any other
method yet known. The nutmegs in the ſame manner muſt not
be diveſted of their pericarpium before they are incloſed in wax.
The marking nut, or anacardium orientale, ſhould be brought over
with
a

( 14 )
with its apple or receptacle dried, adhering to it before it is in-
cloſed in wax. Of this valuable plant we are yet ignorant, even of
its leaves and bloſſoms, though very Eaſt-India ſhip brings ſome
of the nuts, but none of them have yet been raiſed in England.
This is the tree ſo much commended by Kæmpfer, in his Amoeni-
tates Exoticæ, p. 793. for yielding the Siam varniſh of ſo much
conſequence in China and Japan, for the firſt layer of their varniſh,
in all their curious lacquered ware. There is another fruit which
I ſhall recommend to be brought in wax from China; this is called
by the Chineſe Unchee, or Um-Ky; it is deſcribed by Doctor
Solander, in the Philoſophical Tranſactions, vol. LII. p. 654.
Feb. 20. where there is a very exact figure of it, taken from ſpe-
cimens in the Britiſh Muſeum, as they are preſerved in ſeveral
Hortus Siccus's; the volumes in which they are to be found are
particularly enumerated by the Doctor, with an account of their
great uſe in dying ſcarlet: this ſhrub may be cultivated in our
American iſlands. The pulpy part among the ſeeds gives, when
put into warm water, a very lively yellow colour, which is much
wanted among the dyers. This plant is now cultivated in our
curious botanical gardens from cuttings, and is known by the
name of the ſingle Gardenia, or the ſingle Cape Jaſmine of Miller:
it was raiſed from ſeeds about ten years ago, brought from China
by Thomas Fitzhugh, Efq; and is often found among the boxes
of ſeeds fent from China, but not in a vegetating ſtate. Mr.
Fitzhugh followed the Linnæan manner of bringing over ſeeds
ſurrounded with ſalt, which he thinks a very good method.
Our ſeedſmen are much diſtreſſed for a proper method to keep
their feeds found, and in a ſtate of vegetation, through long voyages.
Complaints are made, that, when their feeds arrive in the
Eaſt-Indies, and often in the Weſt-Indies, few of them grow;
but that moſt of them are full of infects, or, what they term
weevilly. This feems to proceed from the damp and putrid heat
of
a

( 15 )
This pu-
a
of the hold, or too long confinement in cloſe warm air, whiclı
brings theſe animals to life, which foon begin to prey on the inſide
of the ſeeds, and thoſe ſeeds that are oily turn rancid. This
trid penetrating ſteam, that ſtrikes every one upon opening the
hatches of a full loaded ſhip’s hold after a long voyage, it is this
that does the miſchief to feeds. This vapour, as the excellent
Doctor Hales obſerves, without frequent ventilating, will become
fatal to vegetable ſubſtances, as well as animals.
When the cavalry of our army in Germany was under the ne-
cefſity, of being ſupplied with hay from England, the difference
was too manifeſt between the hay that had been but a month on
board, and freſh hay, that had never been confined in the hold of
a ſhip.
Experiments have been made on the beſt hemp from Ruſſia,
and hemp of Engliſh growth, by perſons belonging to the navy,
of great credit and honour, and the difference in the ſtrength was
amazing; the length of the voyage from Ruffia, with the very
cloſe package that is neceſſary to ſtow that article on board of a
fhip, raiſes ſuch a heat, as to fhew evident ſigns of putrefaction
begun, which muſt weaken the ſtrongeſt vegetable fibres*.
To illuſtrate this farther in an inſtance of the different manner
of packing and ſtowing ſeeds for a long voyage, which has lately
come to my knowledge and may be of uſe, as it not only points
out the error, but in ſome manner how to avoid it.
A gentleman, going to Bencoulen in the iſland of Sumatra, had
a mind to furniſh himſelf with an affortment of feeds for a kitchen
a
* This hint
may
be worthy of the confideration of the linen as well as the hempen manu-
fa&turers, both in Great-Britain and Ireland, as it will ſhew them the neceſſity of raiſing
both hemp and flax, the firſt principles of theſe moſt uſeful and neceffary manufactures, at
home; by convincing them, from experiment, of the great difference they will find between
the comparative ſtrength of what we raiſe at home, and what we bring from beyond ſea.
5
garden;

( 16 )
garden ; theſe were accordingly packed up in boxes and caſks, and
Itowed with other goods in the hold of the ſhip.
When he arrived at Bencoulen, he fowed his feeds; but foon
found, to his great mortification, that they were all ſpoiled, for
none of them came up.
Convinced, that it muſt be owing to the heat of the ſhip's hold,
and their long confinement in putrid air, and having ſoon occa-
fion to return to England; he determined in his next voyage thi-
ther, to pack them up in ſuch a manner, and place them ſo, as to
give them as much air as he could, without the danger of expoſing
them to the ſalt-water; and therefore put the ſmaller kinds into
ſeparate papers, and placed them among ſome clean ſtraw in a
ſmall cloſe net, and hung it up in his cabbin; and the larger ones
he put into boxes, ſtowing them where the free air could come
at them, and blow through them: the effect was, that as ſoon as
he arrived at Bencoulen he ſowed them, and in a little time found,
to his great fatisfaction, that they all grew extremely well. It is
well known to our ſeedſmen, that, even here at home, ſeeds kept
in cloſe warehouſes, and laid up in heaps, frequently ſpoil, unleſs
they are often fifted, and expoſed to the air.
Seeds ſaved in moiſt cold ſummers, as their juices are too
watery, and the ſubſtance of their kernels not ſufficiently hardened
to a due ripeneſs, are by no means fit for exportation to warmer
climates.
Our acorns, unleſs ripened by a warm ſummer, will not keep
long in England: thoſe acorns that are brought from America,
and arrive early in the year, generally come in good order, owing
to their juices being better concocted by the heat of their ſum-
mers, and are not ſo apt to ſhrivel when expoſed to the air as
ours are.
Theſe
a

( 17 )
Theſe hints are given to thew how neceſſary it is to take care, that
the ſeeds we ſend abroad ſhould be perfectly ripe and dry.
One of the methods now practiſing in fending garden-feeds
to the Eaſt and Weſt-Indies, is to put a ſmall piece of camphire
into each parcel: as to this experiment, we are not yet certain of
its ſucceſs; the hint is taken from the common method of preſerv-
ing butterflies, moths, beetles, and other inſects, from being de-
ſtroyed by very minute animalcules, which are apt to infeſt them.
Flowers of ſulphur in water, in a certain proportion, will de-
ſtroy inſects that infeſt plants, and will rather encourage than
hurt their vegetation, as appears from a method practiſed here
with ſucceſs for many years, in the culture of the ananas, or pine-
apple plant, by one of the moſt eminent fruit and kitchen garden-
ers in England * The inſide of boxes and caſks ſhould be waſhed
with
a
a
* In order to introduce the method of deſtroying inſects that infeſt the ananas, or pine-apple
plant, it may not be diſagreeable to the reader, to know ſome general rules (though foreign
to our preſent ſubject), that are neceſſary to be obſerved in the culture of that curious and
delicate fruit.
« The ſtems of the heads and ſuckers ſhould not be ſtripped up higher than to the place
er where they appear white under the leaves you pull off.
“ The compoſition to plant them in ſhould be three parts of ſtrong freſh loam, and the
** fourth part rotten dung; they ſhould be mixed together, and often turned, for a year at leaſt
“ together before it is uſed. The pots ſhould be rather ſmall than large, in proportion to the
“ plants at all times. The plants ſhould be put into the ſtove or ſtore-pit, and kept with a
« briſk heat, ſhading them from the violence of the ſun, and ſprinkled every day, or twice a
day, if the weather is hot.-In a week they will have roots enough to ſupport themſelves,
« and ſhould be inured by degrees to the full ſun, and the oftener they are ſprinkled in warm
" weather, the faſter they will grow; but when they are ſprinkled, they ſhould be ſhut up
" cloſe, and ſhaded for an hour or more; then give them air, and take away the hade.
“ Thoſe plants that are large, and that you deſign ſhould hear fruit the next year, ſhould be
-
a
put into larger pots the latter-end of Auguſt, when ſome new tan ſhould be added, and
" mixed up with that which they food in till this time.--In November, the tan-bed ſhould
“ be turned over two-thirds of the way down, and a good quantity of new tan mixed with it,
throwing away ſome of the rotteneft, which may be ſeparated by ſcreening it: this will heat
ſufficiently to carry the plants on till January or February, when they will ſhew their fruit,
* if the fire heat is kept up as uſual. As ſoon as the plants begin to grow in the ſpring,
D
they
06

( 18 )
with water that has been impregnated with ſulphur; or, perhaps,
the Hepar Sulphuris, or liver of ſulphur, which is fulphur com-
bined with an alkaline ſalt to make it ſoluble in water, would be
more effectual: a little of this ſolution laid over the inſide of a box
or caſk, with a hog’s-briſtle bruſh, would raiſe ſuch a penetrating
ſtench in warm weather, when confined, as to deſtroy all kind of in-
ſects. Or the calks and boxes might have brimſtone burnt in them
'before the ſeeds are put in them: but the ſucceſs muſt depend on
experiment. There is great probability, that the vegetative powers
of the ſeeds will not be hurt by the fumes of the ſulphur, if
we may reaſon from the uſe of it in deſtroying the inſects in the
pine-apple, and rather promoting than hurting their vegetationt.
Beſides
" they ſhould be often ſprinkled with water made a little warm only, by ſtanding in the
« ftove. But when the plants are in bloom, care muſt be taken not to wet the bloſſom,
• which would prevent the fruit ſwelling near fo large as it would if they had been kept dry
at that time.
“ In February or March, before the plants blow, the tan-bed ſhould be turned over, and a
“ little more new tan added to it, and all the plants that have ſhewed for fruit ſhould be put
“ into larger pots; but not to put any plants that you deſign to have fruit into larger pots,
“ till they fhew for fruit, nor ſhould any of their roots be cut off; but take off all the earth,
“ from the ſurface down to the roots, of thoſe you put into larger pots. The ſooner you
“ hift your ſtove plants in the ſpring into freſh earth and larger pots the better, as it will be
«
“ a means, not only of ſetting them a-growing early, but keeping them from fruiting. It is
" a practice among our nurſery-men, to force the young plants in hot-beds of horſe dung
“ with a moiſt ſtrong heat, which puſhes them forwarder than tan-beds during their growing
“ ſtate, which is from March till the end of September.
“ Left the tan in the fruiting ſtove ſhould cool ſuddenly, either through neglect or want
of judgement, it would not be improper to have a flue run zig-zag under the bottom of the
tan-pit, the top of which ſhould be level with the bottom of the tan-pit, but not to be made
“ uſe of on any account, unleſs when the heat ſuddenly leaves the tan.
If the plants are troubled with inſects, take a pound of flower of brimſtone and put it into
" ten gallons of water, and water the plants well all over with it. This will deſtroy the in-
"fects, and promote vegetation.”---It muſt be remembered, that the water muſt be of the
ſame degree of warmth with the air in the ſtove.
+ Various kinds of pulſe and grain, which I have lately received from different parts of the
Eaft-Indies, have been eaten hollow, and moſt of them deſtroyed, by a kind of very ſmall
beetle, or inſect of the weevil kind.
It

( 19 )
Beſides this method of deſtroying inſects, there is another,
which, for the benefit of mankind, ſhould be generally known,
particularly as moſt ſhips that paſs through warm climates are in-
feſted with thoſe diſagreeable ones called cock-roaches.
The following preparation will prevent them from ſpoiling
many valuable articles on the voyage, and perhaps be of uſe in
ſaving ſeeds, books, and papers, which they are apt to deſtroy
on board of ſhips: at the ſame time we ſhall find that this
prepa-
ration is equally deſtructive to all other inſects. Diffolve one
ounce of crude ſal-ammoniac in a quart of water, then put in two
onnces of corroſive ſublimate mercury. This ſolution, when ufed,
ſhould be firſt heated in the following manner: put the liquor into
a phial, and ſet it in a tin pot of water on the fire, and when the
water boils, the ſolution in the phial will be heated enough. N. B.
The phial with the ſolution muſt be put into the water when it is
cold, and then there will be no danger of breaking the phial: a
piece of packthread or wire ſhould be put round the neck of the
phial, to lift it in and out of the water: it will corrode every veſſel
but glaſs; therefore it is neceſſary that it ſhould be heated in the
foregoing manner. You muſt uſe a hog's-briſtle bruſh to waſh
over any box or furniture,
Yui o arial
It is likewiſe too well known, the great damage done to wheat by this pernicious inſect
the weevil, which, after feeding on the inſide of the grain, eats its way out: how it comes
into the grain, is a conſideration worthy of the attention of the philoſopher.
The ſame obſervation may be made on turnip-ſeeds kept confined in ſacks in hot weather,
where the moiſt heat brings the animals to life. This affords us a very uſeful hint in regard to
the black fly, as it is called, that deſtroys the newly-lown turnips in dry weather, juſt as their
as it
lobe leaves are expanded; and points out to us the probability that this little animal, which
afterwards deſtroys the tender plant, may have exiſted in the feed itſelf; ſo that it is a conſide-
ration well worth the farmer's notice, to try either by fumigating his ſeed well with burnnig
brimſtone, or by ſoaking them in brimſtone and water, or by diffolving a ſmall portion of liver
of ſulphur in water, and ſteeping his feed in it, to deſtroy theſe animals. If theſe experiments
are made with judgement, there is great probability that we ſhall able to deſtroy the animals
without affecting the vegetation of the plant. bas nuo
The
a
D 2

( 20 )
The heating of the liquor will make it penetrate better into wood,
and no inſect will come near where it has been once rubbed over.
If this liquoris put into the paſte uſed in binding of books, the cock-
roaches or other inſects will never touch them. It will likewiſe pre-
ferve the hair and feathers of dried ſpecimens of birds and beaſts, and
the bodies of curious butterflies, from being deſtroyed by minute
animalcules; and will be found to be an effectual remedy againſt
bugs, and is one of the great fecrets of the bug-killers. Another
is a ſolution of corroſive ſublimate mercury, diſſolved in ſpirit of
wine, and lowered with water: this leaves no ſtain on furniture.
As tobacco is univerſally known by the gardeners to deſtroy
inſects by its deleterious quality, and as tobacco-fand is to
be had upon very reaſonable terms, it is recommended to
feedſmen to mix it up with their ſmaller ſeeds on exportation, as
it may abſorb their humidity, prevent their putrefaction, and de-
ſtroy the inſects that are in them. But it muſt be obſerved, that
it is not meant here, that it will keep them from the penetrating
noxious fteams that ariſe from the ſhip’s hold, particularly in warm
climates; for I am doubtful, whether even a thin coat of wax
would be a ſufficient guard in that dangerous ſituation. And as
to the larger ſeeds, the putting ſome fine cut-tobacco in ſmall
quantities looſe among them, ſeems to carry ſome probability of
being at leaſt an experiment worth trying, to prevent their being
deſtroyed by inſects.
In ſhort, the demand for our kitchen-garden-feeds would be
very great, both in the Eaſt and Weſt-Indies, if we could hit
on a proper method of ſending them into thoſe warm climates in a
vegetating ſtate; ſo that it is well worth our attention, as an
article of commerce, to try every experiment that may lead to ſo
uſeful a diſcovery.
I hope, then, theſe hints may incite curious gentlemen, as well
as intelligent ſeedſmen and gardeners
, to begin a courſe of theſe
kind
a

( 21 )
kind of experiments; in the progreſs of which, I am perſuaded,
they will receive great pleaſure as well as knowledge, and both do
honour to themſelves, and a real ſervice to their country, But as
gardeners and ſeedſmen, from their conſtant experience, muſt
know the nature of ſuch bodies better than moſt gentlemen, eſpe-
cially as it is their daily buſineſs; I don't doubt but that excellent
and uſeful Society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures,
and commerce, will amply reward their diſcoveries.
It may be neceſſary to add to the article of preſerving ſeeds in wax, that whereas many
of the valuable kinds, ſuch as cloves, pepper, &c. are too ſmall to be rolled up in wax fepa-
rately; many of them may be incloſed in ſmall balls of warm wax in ſuch a manner, as to be
kept from touching each other; and when the balls are cold, they may be put
into melted
wax, in the ſame manner as in the experiment to preſerve oak acorns, tea-feeds, &c. in waxy.
before mentioned.
The

( 22 )
iwon
The following Catalogue of fuch Plants as deſerve the particular
Attention of our American Colonies, are here exhibited in one
View, in order to incite ſuch Perſons as have it in their Power to
procure the Seeds or Plants of the moſt valuable of them, for this
intereſting Purpoſe.
To avoid Confuſion in the Botanical Names, both the generical and
ſpecific, or trivial Names of the Plants, are ſet down, with the Page
referred to in the celebrated Linnæus's Second Edition of his
Species of Plants.
Other Authors of the beſt Authority are mentioned, where Linnæus
is ſilent.
Latin Names.
2d Ed. Lin. Sr.! Engliſh names.
Obſervations.
Rubia Peregrina
Rubia Tinctorum p. 158
P. 158
Turkey Madder
Dyers Madder *
The firſt is ſuppoſed to be the
ſame that is now cultivated
in Smyrna for a crimſon dye.
Quercus Suber
p. 1413
Cork-bearing oak Grows in the ſouthern parts of
France, Spain, and Portugal.
* This plant is a native of the warmeſt parts of Europe, and is better calculated for the cli-
mate of the Floridas than either of Holland or England, where it is cultivated; but principally
in the former, from whence we are chiefy ſupplied with this valuable dye. The chemiſts ſay,
and with reaſon, that the warmth of the climate exalts the colour. If ſo, it may be well worth
the attention of the publick to encourage the planting of ſo valuable an article of commerce in
a climate and ſoil that ſeems ſo much better adapted to it, where the land is cheap, and where
vegetation is ſo much quicker and more luxuriant; and while we encourage the growth of it in
our colonies, we may have the advantage of manufacturing this valuable commodity at home,
for which at preſent we pay Jums ſcarcely crecible, to the Dutch.
Que;cus
2

(23)
Latin Names. 2d Ed. Lin.Sp. Engliſh Names. Obſervations.
Quercus Ægilops p. 1414
Avellanea or Vale-The cups of the acorns, which
nida oak
are very large, uſed here in
dying, grow in Greece and
Natolia, particularly in the
Iſland of Zia in the Archi-
pelago, where Tournefort
ſays they gather in one year
5ooo hundred weight.
Quercus Gallifera Parkinſon 1386 Gall-bearing oak
Galls from Aleppo and Smyr-
na.
This oak is not yet
known in England: The
Acorns may be brought
over in Wax, and ſent to
the Floridas, Georgia, and
S. Carolina,
Carthamus Tinc-
torius
} . .
Lin. Sp. 1162 Safflower
Much uſed in dying, grows
in Egypt.
Rhamnus catharti-Tournft. 593 Buckthorns that Uſed by painters and dyers ;
cus minor
produce yellow ber-
both theſe plants produce
Rhamnus Saxatilis Lin. Sp. 1671 ries of Avignon.
berries fit for this purpoſe.
Olea Europea
Olives of ſeveral va- For oil; theſe grow in France,
rieties
Spain, and Italy. Young
Plants and ripe Fruit of the
French and Spaniſh forts,
may be brought from
thence.
P. II
Seſamum Orientale p. 883
Oily grain
Propagated in the Levant for
oil, which does not ſoon
grow rancid by keeping.
Goſlypium her
baceum
Goffypium hirſu.
tum
P975
Two forts of annual Both theſe kinds of annual
cotton
cotton are parly ſown in
Turkey, and would
grow
well in the warm climates
of N. America, as the Flo-
ridas, Georgia, Carolina,
and Virginia
Sallola

( 24 )
}
Latin Nanies. f2d Ed. Lin. Sp. 1 Engliſh Names. Obſervations.
Salfola Soda
Theſe kinds of Theſe are ſown yearly in
Salſola Sativa
p. 323
glaſſwort for Ba- fields near the ſea in Spain,
and Chenopodium p. 321
rilla
for making Barilla, for
maritimum
ſoap, glaſs, &c.
Ceratonia Siliqua p. 1513
Locuft-tree or St. The pods are excellent food
John's Bread for hard-working cattle, and
uſed for this purpoſe on the
ſea-coaſt of Spain, where
they are eaſily propagated
froin ſeeds or cuttings.
Piſtachia Vera
p. 1454
Piſtachia-tree
They are propagated about
Aleppo, where the female
or fruit. bearing ones are
ingrafted on the ſtocks
raiſed from the nuts.
Piſtachia Terebin- 2. 1455
thus
Chio turpentine. This kind of turpentine is
tree
uſed in medicine.
Piſtachia Lentiſcus p. 1455
Maſtick-tree
Gum Maſtick from the iſle of
Scio; as this tree, common-
ly called the Lentiſcus, is
doubted to be the genuine
Maſtick-tree, ſeeds of the
true kind may be procured
from the iſle of Scio.
Styrax Officinale p. 635 Gum Storax-tree This tree grows in Italy,Syria,
and India ; but the warner
climates yield the beſt gum.
Convolvulus Scam-Ip. 218 Gum Scammony Seeds of the Plant, from
monia
whence this excellent drug
• There is a reſinous juice, which, by age, hardens into a ſolid brittle reſin, of a pungent,
warm, balſamic taſte, and very fragrant ſmell, not unlike the Storax calamita, heightened with
a little ambergriſe, which is produced from the Styrax aceris folio of Ray, or Liquidambar Sty-
raciflua of Linnæus, Spec. plant. 1418, which grows in perfection in the Floridas. This,
Dr. Lewis, in his Materia Medica, p. 353, ſays, might be applied to valuable medicinal purpoſes.
The French, in Du Pratz' Hiſtory of Louiſiana, ſpeak with rapture of its healing qualities,
and the high eſteem it is in among the Indians of Florida, on account of its infinite virtues : it
is known to the Engliſh by the name of the Sweet Gum-tree, and to the French by the name of
Copalm. This is well worth the attention of the College of Phyſicians, as we can have it gc-
nuine, whereas the Storax from the Eaſt is often adulterated.
is

( 25 )
Latin Names.
2d Ed. Lin. Sp. Engliſh Names.
Obſervations.
is procured, were ſent into
England about 20 Years
ago, from Aleppo, by the
late Dr. Alex. Ruffel: it
bears this climate very well,
and produces ſeed in hot
ſummers; but requires the
warmer climates of Caro-
lina, Georgia, and the Flo-
ridas, to make the gum-
reſin that flows from it a
beneficial article of com-
merce. It is ſo frequently
adulterated in Turky, that,
in order to have it genuine,
it is well worth propagating
in our colonies.
Papaver Somnife- p. 726
rum
True opium poppy This is recommended to be
ſown in our ſouthern colo-
nies of North-America, for
the ſake of obtaining the
opium pure*.
Alexandrian
purg-
This grows in Upper Egypt,
ing Senna
and is brought from thence
to Alexandria; it would not
be difficult to procure the
ſeeds of this uſeful drug.
Caſſia Senna
p. 539
Croton Sebiferum
P. 1425
Tallow-tree of This plant grows in moiſt
China
places in China, and is of
great uſe in that country.
Rheum Palmatum p. 521
True Rhubarb The ſeed of this plant was
brought to England about
five years ago, by Dr.Moun-
ſey, F.R. S. from Moſcow,
and appears by experiment
to be the genuine true Rhu-
barb of the thops, and is a
* The ſeed of this ſpecies of poppy is recommended by a phyſician of great eminence as
proper for the ſame purpoſes in medicine as ſweet almonds are uſed. It is obſerved not to
have the leaſt degree of a narcotic quality in it.
E
moft

( 26 )
2d Ed. Lin. Sp Engliſh Names.
Latin Names.
Obfervations
moſt valuable acquiſition to
this country, as it will grow
well in a deep rich ſoil, in-
clining to a ſandy or gra-
velly loam, but not in too
wet a ſituation, and may be
,
cultivated both here and in
North-America. Mr. Ing-
liſh has raiſed this plant
with ſo much ſucceſs at his
country-houſe at Hamp-
ſtead, as to be able not only
to produce ſome excellent
good Rhubarb, but a ſuffi.
cient quantity of ripe feed
to make a large plantation ;
and at the ſame time has
moſt generouſly beſtowed a
great deal of feed to be ſent
to our American colonies,
where, no doubt, but it
will prove in a few years
a molt beneficial article of
commerce.
a
Calamus Rotang
p. 463
Pterocarpus Draco p. 1662
Dracæna Draco Lin. Syft. Ed.
12. p. 246
Three forts of Gum 1. From a kind of cane in the
Dragon, or Dra.
Eaſt-Indies. . 2. From Java
gon's blood
and Surinam. 3. From the
Canary and Madeira iſlands.
Dolichos Soja Lin. Sp. 1023 A kind of kidney- Uſed for making Soye + or In-
bean called Daid- dia Ketchup. See Kæmp.
fu
Amanitat. 837
Laurus
+ The method of preparing Eaſt-India Soye, or India Ketchup.
Take a certain meaſure, for inſtance a gallon, of that ſort of kidney-beans, called Daidfu by
the Japoneſe, and Caravances by the Europeans ; let them be boiled till they are ſoft; alſo a
gallon of bruiſed wheat or barley, (but wheat makes the blackeſt Soye) and a gallon of common
falt. Let the boiled caravances be mixed with the bruiſed wheat, and be kept covered cloſe a
day and a night in a warm place, that it may ferment. Then put the mixture of the caravances
.
and wheat, together with the gallon of falt, into an earthen veffel, with two gallons and a half
of common water, and cover it up very cloſe. The next day ftir it about well with a bactering
machine or mill (Rutabulum) for ſeveral days, twice or thrice a day, in order to blend it more
thoroughly together. This work muſt be continued for two or three months, then ſtrain off and
preſs out the liquor, and keep it for uſe in wooden veſſels; the older it is the clearer it will be,
and of ſo much more value. After it is preſſed out, you may pour on the remaining maſs more
water, then ſtir it about violently, and in ſome days after you may preſs out more Soye.

( 27 )
Latin Names. 24 Ed. Lin. Sp. | Engliſh Names. Obſervations.
Laurus Callia
Caffia Lignea-tree Grows in Sumatra.
Laur. Cinamomum p. 528
Cinnamon-tree In Ceylon, Guadaloupe, and
in moſt of our newly ceded
iſlands.
p. 528
La urus Camphora (p. 528
Camphire-tree*
In Japan, and in Sumatra, now
in England in the green-
houſes about London. It
will grow freely where o-
ranges
and lemons do.
Cycas Circinalis
p. 1658
Sago Palm-tree
In Java, and the warmeſt
parts of the Eaſt-Indies.
Amyris Gileadenſis Lin. Mant.165. True balm of Gile-Lately diſcovered in Arabia by
ad-treet
Dr. Forſkall, and deſcribed
by Dr. Linnæus in a late
diſſertation.
a
Arundo Bambo
P. 120
The true Bamboo Of great uſe in China, and
cane
might be alſo in our Ame-
rican iſlands I.
а
Anacardus Orien- Kæmp. Amoen. Siam varniſh-tree, The fruit of this is the Malac-
talis
p. 793
called Ton-rak ca bean, or marking nut,
by the Japoneſe and the Oriental Anacar-
dium of the ſhops. This is
the common varniſh of the
Eaſt-Indies, as deſcribed by
Kämpfer. This tree is un-
known to the botaniſts.
* The camphire from Sumatra is greatly preferable to that of Japan; we are not certain whe-
ther it is from a different ſpecies of tree, but it ſeems well worth inquiring into, as the effects
of proportionable quantities in medicine are ſurprizingly different, perhaps it may be owing to
the great difference of heat in the climates.
+ We have in the iſland of Jamaica, a ſpecies of tree of this genus, called by Linnæus Amyris
balſamifera. See Species Plantarum, p. 496. Sir Hans Sloane, in his Hilt. of Jam. vol. II.
p. 24. calls this tree Lignum Rhodium, from the odoriferous ſmell of its wood when burnt,
which it diffuſes a great way; for which reafon he believes it to be the tree that afforded the
agreeable ſcent which Columbus perceived on the ſouth ſhore of Cuba, upon the diſcovery of
thatiſland, as it is mentioned by ſeveral hiſtorians.--Dr. Pat. Browne, in his hiſtory of Jamaica,
p. 208. calls this tree white candlewood, or roſewood, and commends it much; he ſays it is
very reſinous, burns freely, and affords a moſt agreeable ſmell; and that all the parts of this tree
are full of warm and aromatic particles.----Quere, Whether it is not worth while to extract
the balſam, as it agrees fo near in character and genus with that moſt valuable drug the balſam
of Mecca?
| The French had brought this moſt uſeful plant from the Eaſt Indies to their Weſt-India
islands: a few roots have been got from thence to Grenada, and will perhaps in time become
E 2
familiar

(28)
Latin Naines,
2d Ed. Lin.Sp. Engliſh Names.
Obſervations
Thea
Lin. Sp, p: 734 Tea
From Japan and China. Seo
Kæmpfer's Amanitates, po-
160 *
Gardenia Florida
P. 305.
Umky. of the Chineſe Uſed in dying ſcarlet in China:
The pulp that ſurrounds the
feeds, gives in warın water
a a molt excellent yellow.co-
lour, inclining to orange.
See Phil. Tranf. Vol.
52.
p.654. where there is an
exact figure of it.
familiar in our iſlands. But too much pains cannot be taken in the propagation of this plantı
as its uſes are manifold and extenſive, both in building, and all kinds of domeſtic inſtruments.
* It is aſſerted by ſome people, that the green tea and the bohea tea are two different ſpecies;
but without foundation: they are one and the fame ſpecies. It is the nature of the ſoil, the
culture, and manner of gathering and drying the leaves, that makes the difference; for take a
green tea tree and plant it in the bohea country, and it will produce bohea tea, and to the cons
trary. This is a fact atteſted by gentlemen now in London, that have reſided many years in
China, and who have had great experience in this article.
The method of bringing over this valuable plant being already deſcribed, I ſhall only mention
an obſervation of the celebrated Linnæus, who is now in poſſeſſion of the true tea-tree, two of
which he received from Captain Ekenberg, the commander of a Swediſh Eaſt-Indiaman, in the
year 1763, who raiſed them from ſeed on the voyage. This celebrated profeſſor had tried for
many years to get this curious tree into the phyſic-garden at Upſal; but, by a variety of acci-
dents, they were all deſtroyed on the paſſage. At length, about the year 1755, .
Mr, Lagerſtrom,
a director of the Swediſh Eaſt-India Company, brought him two plants alive to the garden at
Upfal, wich he had bought in China: they grew very vigorouſly for two years; but when they
came to thew their bloſſom, they proved to be of that genus of plants, called by Kæmpfer
Tſubakki, and by himſelf Camellia, Sp. Plant. p. 982. The crafty Chineſe, when they ſold
the plants to Mr. Lagerſtrom for the true tea plants, had artfully pulled off the bloſſoms.
Kæmpfer obſerves, that there is one ſpecies of Tſubakki, (ſee his Amenit. Exoticæ, p. 853.
the leaves of which they prepare, and mix with their tea, to give it a fine flavour; and Linnæus
ſays, that the leaves of his Camellia are ſo like the true tea, that they would deceive the moſt,
ſkilful botanift: the only difference is, that they are a little broader. In a letter, dated Upfal,
а
November 8, 1969, he ſays, that he has juſt received from a very great perſon in France, a ſmall
branch of a plant, which was brought from China for the true tea; but it proves to be the Ca-
mellia. This caution is intended for captains of Eaſt-India ſhips, not to purchaſe the plants,
but the freth feeds of the tea in their capſuless which they may foon fow after they paſs the
Cape of Good Hope, or on other parts of the voyage as directed.
A new kind of tea-tree being this lait ſummer brought from China, it is ſuſpected may be a
Camellia; but as that is a moſt elegant flowering ſhrub, it may be as valuable an acquiſition to
the gardeners as a tea-plant, conſidering the many tea-ſeeds that have ſucceeded lately, which
have been brought home in wax, and otherways.
The late Lord Petre, of Thorndon-hall in Eſſex, was formerly in poſſeſſion of one of theſe ,
beautiful Tſubakki's, or Camellia's, which was greatly admired for the elegant brightneſs of
iss flowers. See the figure in Edwards's Hiſtory of Birds, vol. ï. 6. 67.
This

( 29 )
Latin Names,
2d Ed. Lin. Sp. 1 Engliſh Names,
Obſervations.
Mangifera Indica
p. 290
tree
1
Eaſt-India Mango- This excellent fruit is much
eſteemed in the Eaſt Indies,
and 'tis ſaid there is a tree
of it now growing in the
iſland of Madeira. By the
deſcription which Dr. So-
lander: gives of this fruit,
at Rio Janeiro in Braſil, it
is not ſo good as the Eaſt-
India fort.
Morus papyrifera
p. 1399
Paper Mulberry-
tree
Uſed for making paper in
China and Japan. See
Kæmp. Amanit. p. 467.
This has been ſome time in
the Engliſh gardens.
Cinchona Officina-p. 244
lis
Jeſuits-bark tree
This
grows at Loxa in the
province of Peru; and could
it be obtained ſo as to be
cultivated in our American
iſlands, would be of infinite
advantage to us.
Dorſtenia Contray- p. 176
Contrayerva-root
This grows in New Spain,
Mexico, and Peru.
Sarſaparilla-root
It is brought from the Bay of
Campeachy, and the Gulph
of Honduras, where it
grows in plenty, and might
eaſily be propagated in Flo-
rida...
Balſam Copaiva tree In Brazil, and Martinico.
Balſam Tolu tree
This tree grows near Cartha-
gena, in South-America.
.
erva
Smilax Sarſaparilla p. 1459
Copaifera Officina- p. 557
lis
Toluifera Balſamum p. 549
Hymenea Courbaril P. 537
The Locuftor Gum This tree is known to yield
Copal tree, for the the true Gum Copal, and
fineſt tranſparent
that the difference between
varniſh
this and Gum Anime, may
be

( 30 )
| 2d Ed. Lin. Sp. Engliſh names.
Latin Names.
Obſervations.
be owing to ſoil and heat of
climate; it grows wild in
our American iſlands, the
Moſkito ſhore, and in Terra
Firma,
Jalapium Oficina- Dale 183
True Jalap
rum
This plant is ſuppoſed by ſome
to be a kind of Bindweed or
Convolvulus, that grows
near Mexico; by others it
is thought to be a ſpecies
of Marvel of Peru. As we
are uncertain of the genus,
it is well worth enquiring
into, as a moſt uſeful drug,
in order to propagate it in
our colonies.
Bixa Orellana
Lin. Sp. 730
Arnotto, for dying This grows in all the warm
climates of America. The
French cultivate it, but
what the Spaniards ſend is
much richer in colour and
more valuable.
Mimoſa Senegal
p. 1506
Gum Senegal tree
This grows in Ægypt, and in
Senegal.
In Ægypt, from whence the
ſeeds may be procured.
Mimoſa Nilotica
p. 1506
Gum Arabick
Ficus Sycomorus
p. 1513
True Sycamore of This is reckoned the moſt du-
Zaccheus
rable timber we know. The
repoſitories of the Mummies
found in Ægypt are made
of this timber.
Ficus Carica
p. 1513
Turkey Figs
Figs grow in the greateſt per-
fection in Carolina, and
would become a valuable
trade if they had the me-
thod of curing them as in
Turkey.
The
900

( 31 )
Latin Names.
2d Ed. Lin. Sp.f Engliſh Names.
Obſervations.
Vitis Apyrena
P. 293
Currants or Corin- The cuttings of this vine might
be procured from Zant.
thian grapes
Fraxinus Ornus
p. 1510
Calabrian Manna This is worth trying in our
Alh *
ſouthern colonies, where
the heats are violent in the
fummer. It is common in
our nurſery gardens.
Amygdalus Comp. 677
munis
Sweet Almonds
Theſe would grow to great
perfection in our ſouthern
colonies.
Capparis Spinoſa
p. 720
Caper tree
This ſhrub requires a rocky
ſoil to grow in, as it is about
Marſeilles and Toulon,
Punica Granatum + p. 676
Balauſtians, or the This tree would thrive ex-
blofloms of the tremely well in our fou-
double flowering thern provinces, and yield
pomegranate a profitable arcicle in their
bloſſoms... Plants of this
kind are to be bought from
moft of our nurſery-men.
Lichen Roccella
p. 1622
Argal, Canary-
weed, or Orchell
'Tis poſſible this valuable
plant may be found in our
American iſlands, as well
as in the Canaries and Cape-
Verd iſlands.
Ciftus Ladanifera
p. 737
Gum Labdanum
In Spain and the Archipelago,
Bubon Galbanum p. 364
Gum Galbanum
In Ethiopia.
* There is no drug fo liable to adulteration as this: and therefore, as it is a medicine fo fre--
quently in uſe among perſons of tender conſtitutions, eſpecially young children, great care ſhould
be taken to have it genuine.
+ The ſingle flowering or fruit-bearing Pomegranate, will afford the moſt grateful addition
to the fruits of our colonies, and a valuable medicine. The ripe fruit full of ſeeds is to be mer
with at our fruit-ſhops in the winter ſeaſon: from the feeds of fuch fruit this tree may
be eaſily propagated.
3
Paſtinaca

(32)
Latin Names. 2d Ed. Lin. Sp.) Engliſh Names. Find Obſervations.is
Paſtinaca poponax p. 376
enite Gum Opoponax In Sicily,
Amomum Carda-
Cardamums In the Eaſt-Indies.
01
P. 2
momuin
Curcuma Longa
p. 3
Tumerick
In the Eaft-Indies.
Aſtragalus Traga- p. 1073
cantha
Gum Tragacanth In the ſouth of France and in
or Gum Dragon Sicily.
Coloquintida, or In Africa
Bitter apple
Cucumis Colycin- p. 1435
this
Gentiana lutea
p. 329
Gentian
In the Alps, Apennines, and
Pyrenees. To be had of
the nurſery-men.
In China and in New Spain.
Similax China
p. 1459
China root
Pimpinella Aniſum p. 379
Aniſe ſeeds
In Egypt.
Gambogia Gutta
p. 728
Gamboge
In the Eaſt-Indies.
Quercus Coccifera p. 1413
Alkermes oak
About Marſeilles and Toulon.
Myrrha Offic.
Dale. 325
Guin Myrrh
In Abyſſinia. The characters
of this plant and the five fol-
lowing are not yet known
to the botaniſts.
Benzionum Offic. Dale. 303.
Gum Benjamin
In Sumatra and Java.
AmmoniacumOffic. Dale. 119
GumAmmoniacum In Africa
Dale. 337
.
Balſamum Perua-
num
Natural Balſam of In Peru.
Peru
Dale. 348
Dale. 302
Olibanum Thus
Frankincenſe In the Upper Egypt and in-
Maſculum
terior parts of Africa.
Nux Moſchata
Nutmegs with
In Amboyna.
Ofic.
Mace *
lin
Specimens of the Nutmeg-tree in fruit from the iſland of Tobago have been lately received
by the Earl of Hillſborough, which his Lordſhip has fent, with ſpecimens of many other curious
plants,

( 33 )
Latin Names.
2d Ed. Lin.Sp. Engliſh Names.
Obſervations.
Caryophyllus aro-
maticus
Lin. Sp. 735
Cloves
In the Molucca iſlands.
Pepper
Sumatra
Piper Nigrum p. 40
Garcinia Monga- p. 635
ſtona
Mangoſteens
A moſt delicious fruit, grows
in Java, and in ſeveral parts
of the Eaſt-Indies.
Lechee
Lechee of China
This fruit is highly commend-
ed by all perſons who have
been in China *.
Ipecacuanha
Dale. 170
Margrave 17
root.
Ipecacuanha of the Very uſeful in medicine, and
ſhops, or Braſilian
worthy of our attention te
propagate it in our Weſt-
India iflands: at preſent its
genus is unknown to the
botaniſts.
Ferula Ala Foetida Lin. Sp. 356 Affa Foetida, orDe- The gum of this plant is much
vil's dung, called much uſed in medicine.
Hing in the Malay Kæmpf. 535 and 536.
language
To this catalogue may be added liquorice, ſaffron, and aloes foco-
torina: of the two firſt we do not raiſe near a ſufficiency at home for
our own conſumption, but are obliged to import thoſe articles from
Spain.
plants, for the information of the publick, to the Britiſh Muſeum. They are certainly of the
fame genus with the true nutmeg, and poſſibly may be improved by cultivation ; the mace evi-
dently covers them, and they have all the characters and the ſame leaves with the wild Nutmega
tree deſcribed by Rumphius, in his Herbarium Amboinenſe, publiſhed by Burman.
* The characters of this fruit are not yet known to the botaniſts.
F
ABO-

R

UNIL
OF
CH
MIC
동
​
lenuss Fly-trap
Dionura Muscipula
13 am
Koledad
buckley
A sensitive Plant from the Swamps of North America with a spike of white bloſsoms like
the English Ladysmock).
Each leaf is a miniature figure of a Rat trap with teeth; closing on every fly or other
insect, that
creeps between its lobes, and squeezing it to Death.
James Roberts sculp.

А
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
OF THE
DIONÆA MUSCIPULA,
OR
VENUS's FLY-TRA P.
A NEWLY-DISCOVERED SENSITIVE PLANT:
In a Letter to Sir CHARLES LINNÆUS,
Knight of the Polar Star, Phyſician to the King of Sweden, and Member of
moſt of the Learned Societies of Europe,
From JOHN ELLIS, Fellow of the ROYAL SOCIETIES of
LONDON and UPSAL.
F 2

MOLTAIC
AIUIIOZUM AJA VOIG
SAT-YHT'UTIV
CITIBOVOSTIWA
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70
I HOT

( 37 )
London, Sept. 23, 1769.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
II
a
KNOW that every diſcovery in nature is a treat to you; but
in this you will have a feaſt.
You have ſeen the Mimoſa, or Senſitive Plants, cloſe their
leaves, and bend their joints, upon the leaſt touch: and this has
aſtoniſhed you; but no end or deſign of nature has yet appeared to
you from theſe furprizing motions: they foon recover themſelves
again, and their leaves are expanded as before.
But the plant, of which I now incloſe you an exact figure, with
a ſpecimen of its leaves and bloſſoms, Thews, that nature may
have ſome view towards its nouriſhment, in forming the upper
joint of its leaf like a machine to catch food: upon the middle of
this lies the bait for the unhappy infect that becomes its prey.
Many minute red glands, that cover its inner ſurface, and which
perhaps diſcharge ſweet liquor, tempt the poor animal to taſte
them: and the inſtant theſe tender parts are irritated by its feet,
the two lobes riſe up, graſp it faſt, lock the rows of ſpines together,
and ſqueeze it to death. And, further, left the ſtrong efforts for
life, in the creature thus taken, ſhould ſerve to diſengage it; three
ſmall erect ſpines are fixed near the middle of each lobe, among
the glands, that effectually put an end to all its ſtruggles. Nor do
the lobes ever open again, while the dead animal continues there.
But it is nevertheleſs certain, that the plant cannot diſtinguiſh an
animal, from a vegetable or mineral, ſubſtance; for if we intro-
duce a ſtraw or a pin between the lobes, it will graſp it full as faſt
as if it was an inſect.
In

( 38 )
In the year 1765, our late worthy friend, Mr. Peter Collinſon,
fent me a dried ſpecimen of this curious plant, which he had re-
ceived from Mr. John Bartram, of Philadelphia, botaniſt to the
King. The flower of this ſpecimen Doctor Solander diffected with
me, and we found it to be a new genus; but not ſuſpecting then the
extraordinary ſenſitive power of its leaves, as they were withered
and contracted, we concluded they approached near to the Dro-
ſera or Roſa Solis, to which they have been ſuppoſed by many
perſons ſince to have a great affinity; as the leaves of the moſt
common Engliſh ſpecies of Roſa Solis are round, concave, beſet with
ſmall hairs, and full of red viſcid glands.
But we are indebted to Mr. William Young, a native of Phila-
delphia (to whom likewiſe the Royal favour has been extended,
for his encouragement in his botanical reſearches in America), for
the introduction of this curious plant alive, and in conſiderable
quantities. He informs me, that they grow in ſhady wet places,
and flower in July and Auguft; that the largeſt leaves, which he
has ſeen, were about three inches long, and an inch and half acroſs
the lobes; and obſerves, that the glands of thoſe that were expo-
ſed to the ſun were of a beautiful bright red colour, but thoſe in
the ſhade were pale, and inclining to green.
It is now likely to become an inhabitant of the curious gardens
in this country, and merits the attention of the ingenious.
a
The Calyx,
The Botanical Characters of the Genus Dionæa, according to the
Linnæan Sexual Syſtem, where it come under the Claſs of
Decandria Monogynia.
or Flower-cup, conſiſts of five ſmall, equal, erect
leaves, of a concave oval form, pointed at the
top.
The

( 39 )
a
The Corolla, or Flower, has five concave petals, of an oblong,
inverted-oval form, blunt at the top, which
curls in at each ſide, and is ſtreaked from the
bottom upwards with ſeven tranſparent lines.
The Stamina, or Chives, have ten equal filaments, ſhorter than
the petals; and their tops, which contain the
male duſt, are roundiſh. This duſt, or farina
fæcundans, when highly magnified, appears
like a tricoccous fruit.
The Piſtil,
or Female Organ, has a roundiſh germen or em-
bryo ſeed-veffel, placed above the receptacle
of the flower: this is a little depreffed, and
ribbed like a melon. The ſtyle is of a thread-
like form, ſomething ſhorter than the fila-
ments. The ſtigma, or top of the ſtyle, is
open, and fringed round the margin.
The Pericarpium,or Seed-veſſel, is a gibbous capſule, with one cell
or apartment.
The Seeds
are many, very ſmall, of an oval ſhape, fitting on
the bottom of the capſule.
а
a
I ſhall now give you a general deſcription of the ſpecies of
Dionæa before us, called Muſcipula, or Venus's Fly-trap.
This plant is herbaceous, and grows in the ſwamps of North-
Carolina, near the confines of South-Carolina, about the la-
titude of 35 degrees North, where the winters are ſhort,
and the ſummers very hot.
The roots are ſquamous, ſending forth but few fibres, like
thoſe of ſome bulbs; and are perennial.
The
2

( 40 )
a
a
"I'he leaves are many, inclining to bend downwards, and are
placed in a circular order; they are jointed and ſucculent:
the lower joint, which is a kind of ſtalk, is flat, longiſh,
two-edged, and inclining to heart-ſhaped. In ſome varieties
they are ſerrated on the edges near the top. The upper
joint conſiſts of two lobes; each lobe is of a ſemi-oval form,
with their margins furniſhed with ſtiff hairs like eye-
brows, which embrace or lock into each other, when they
cloſe: this they do when they are inwardly irritated.
The upper ſurface of theſe lobes are covered with ſmall red
glands, each of which appears, when highly magnified,
like a compreſſed arbutus berry.
Among the glands about the middle of each lobe, are three
very ſmall erect ſpines. When the lobes incloſe any ſub-
ſtance, they never open again while it continues there. If
it can be ſhoved out, ſo as not to ſtrain the lobes, they ex-
pand again; but if force is uſed to open them, ſo ſtrong has
nature formed the ſpring of their fibres, that one of the lobes
generally ſnaps off, rather than yield.
The ſtalk is about fix inches high, round, ſmooth, and with-
out leaves, ending in a ſpike of flowers.
The flowers are milk-white, and ſtand on foot ſtalks, at the
bottom of each of which is a little pointed bractea, or flower-
leaf.
As to the culture of it: the ſoil it grows in (as appears from
what comes about the roots of the plants, when they are brought
over) is a black light mould, intermixed with white ſand, ſuch as
is uſually found on our mooriſh heaths.
Being a ſwamp plant, a north-eaſt aſpect will be the propereſt
ſituation at firſt to plant it in, to keep it from the direct rays of
the meridian fun; and in winter, till we are acquainted with what
cold weather it can endure, it will be neceſſary to ſhelter it with a
bell-glaſs,
a
a
n
1

( 41 )
bell-glaſs, ſuch as is uſed for melons; which ſhould be covered with
ſtraw or a matt in hard froſts: by this method ſeveral plants were
preſerved laſt winter in a very vigorous ſtate. Its fenfitive quality
will be found in proportion to the heat of the weather, as well as
the vigour of the plant.
Our fummers are not warm enough to ripen the ſeed: or poſſibly
we are not yet ſufficiently acquainted with the culture of this plant.
In order to try further experiments, to ſhew the ſenſitive
powers
of this plant, ſome of them may be planted in pots of light
mooriſh earth, and placed in pans of water, in an airy ſtove in
ſummer; where the heat of ſuch a ſituation, being like that of its
native country, will make it furprizingly active.
But your knowledge of univerſal nature makes it very unne-
ceffary for me to ſay any thing further, than that I am, with the
utmoſt regard and eſteem,
Dear Sir,
Your aſſured friend,
and very humble ſervant,
JOHN ELLIS
7




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