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Augt 25 1801
Copy from (a) to (a)
Copy (a) to (a) only & the P.S.
Sir
I have sent enclosed with the letter a few descriptions of plants, which though appearing in a rude manner for the present, may be depended on as accurate. I have used the language of Dr Withering, as being the most familiar to me. When I found a generic description was wanted, I have given it in full; and beside the Specific character, I have given a short history of the plant, from which and the specimen, may be greatly protracted if required. Imaging that it might be a long time before the learned Botanist would have such an opportunity, I thought it the best to act as I have done, from whence he can easily put them in a learned language, and shorten or lengthen them as he thinks proper. The descriptions of some plants that are already known, may appear to you as useless. These were taken at such times as I well could not do any thing else. By preferring names, whether temporary or permanent, I find to to be less burthensome to the mind than the application of figures; and again, where they are applied so as to point out the place of growth they furnish an advantage to the cultivator. The name of the month at the end of the description points out when it was made and when the day of the month is put, it denotes above one remark, in order to know which was the last made.
I have sent by the Albion a packing case containing 4 others. One is filled with seeds & a few Cryptogamia; the upper layer are duplicates, and the lower are originals, which amount to about 130 distinct sorts. On the papers is expressed the time and where they were gathered - P denotes in the district of Parramatta, and S Sydney. The word Miscellaneous, signifies all those that have been collected in a wide manner, and those that I have not examined, In another box is contained specimens and a few other articles. On the labels is expressed the time when gathered, and also the place. The initials P. & S. denote as above. I have sent specimens of most of the miscellaneous seeds, but by
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