Methodica, which I have not yet met with in my simpling, the ripe seeds or sets of which would be most acceptable; for I plant in our physick garden all the varieties of grasses, and whatever other vegetable will admit culture, though never so mean or contemptible. I doubt not but ye cause your gardener gather the ripe seeds of all curious plants that grow in your garden, though they be not annuall. I shall be obliged to you for a share of every kinde; and, if ye please, shall send yow a part of all I can collect here. I believe I told you that I hade begun a correspondence with Mr. Cicoyneau, Chancellour of the Universitie of Mompelier, and Professor of Botany there. He desires seeds of all I can procure here, and promises me a part of what ever growes in the Garden of Mompelier or the fields thereabout, as also what else he can get from all his other correspondents. The plant Mr. Lhwyd takes for Vaccinia rubra foliis myrtinis crispis, and whereof I sent yow a specimen, grows plentifully in our North Highlands of Scotland, and differs much in fruit from Vaccinia rubra buxeis foliis the berries of that specimen are very dry and without sape: those of the ordinair box-leaved are tart and full of juice: the country people eat both berries; calling the first "Gnashakin," and the other "Breylakin." I have friends in the Highlands that promise to send me both; 3 Arbutus alpina. L. 4 Vaccinium Vitis Idæa. L. and when they come to my hand I shall send yow sets of each. We have yet heard nothing of Mr. Lhwyd since he went from this. I render yow most hearty thanks for your promise of procureing me a correspondence with Mr. Thoresby, and shall be very dilligent in collecting for him what coyns or other things of antiquitie may be got in this country. I have doubles of many Roman Silver Denarii, found in severall places in Scotland; a good number of old Scotch coyns in gold, silver, and copper; and severall silver Saxon and English pieces. Those small Roman coyns of coarse mixt mettal, found in your ground some ten years ago, which ye have by yow, would be very welcome to me, if I knew what to send you in requitall. I want several of the emperairs towards the end of the empire. If you would put them in a litle box, which seall and direct for me, and leave them with any acquaintance at York, of whom give me notice in your next, I shall cause any acquaintance that comes for Edinburgh from London to call for them; but ye most minde to wrap every single piece in a small bitt of paper, and pack all closse in the box, that they may not justle one on ane other and readiely deface the coyn, as I lately found to my great losse in a parcell sent me from London by my most worthy friend, Mr. Charleton of the Middle Temple, to whose bounty I'me exceeding obliged. Before ye send any plants, give me timeous adver tisement, that I may order the post-masters of New Castle and Berwick to take care of them. I wish yow all health and prosperity, and acknowledge myself, Worthy SIR, Your most humble and ever obliged servant, JAS. SUTHERLAND. LETTER XI. Rev. T. Petre1 to Dr. Richardson. DEAR SIR, (No Date.) AMIDST my many misfortunes of this yeare, I met with none more afflicting than that of missing your good company the last Saturday. But the so singular goodness of your lady, in shewing me your gardens and other endless curiositys, made a signall amends for that loss, and has lay'd on me such obligations, I can no more forget, than repay. 1 "A Roman Catholic Priest in the family of Mr. Waterton, of Walton Hall." Nichols.-There are in the Richardson Correspondence a great many letters from this gentleman; but I have extracted only this, which is curious as showing that the Passiflora "cærulea, if not then just introduced into our gardens, was certainly very rare. According to the Sloanian Mss. in the British Museum, (Nos. 525 and 3349,) it was first cultivated by the Duchess of Beaufort, in 1699. Since she was pleased to say, that she never saw a Passion Flower, I hope this (tho' decaying) will not displease; and if, Sir, you desire a layer, you may most freely command one, at the season, and at all times. Honoured dear SIR, Your most humble servant, THOMAS PETRE. LETTER XII. Dr. Richardson to Mr. Lhwyd. (EXTRACT.) North Bierley, December 20th, 1700. told me he met two Londoners at Boulton Coal-Pits, which is about three miles from hence when I heard of their inquiries, I suspected they might be some of Dr. Woodward's agents, but never heard any thing of them afterwards. Perhaps their ill success discouraged them from making any further inquiry in these parts. I am glad to hear those gentlemen have been so fortunate in their searches upon Pendle and Ingleborough, as to find several sorts of Conchita there. My searches upon Pendle have not been so exact as upon the other; but I should be oblig'd to those gentlemen that would shew me any of these bodies upon either. Indeed, within three or four miles of Ingleborough, viz. in the way from thence to Clapham, I have met with Conchita and Entrochi in the lime-stone rocks frequently; but upon the hill there is neither flint, chalk, alum, nor, I think, lime-stone: however, I am certain upon the highest hill there is none; for the stone there is a sand-stone, which rises, when dug, into thin strata about an inch thick, and is of a brown colour, and is only made use of for slates to cover houses. This mountain is composed of three hills, one upon another. If I hear any further of these Virtuosi's discoveries, I will certainly set aside one day more for a review of that mountain; tho' I am persuaded it will be to no purpose. LETTER XIII. Dr. Sherard to Dr. Richardson. DEAR SIR, BADMINGTON, near Chippenham, in Gloucestershire, GIVE me leave after a long silence, (occasioned by my constant rambling) now I am set down in England, to inquire of your health, and at the same time request the renewall of your friendship, which I shall always cultivate to the |