every animal, would appear to have a predilection for one mode of temperature more than another.

Philadelphia, May 6th,

1801.

NOTES ON THE PRECEDING PAPER. BY THE
EDITOR.

Note 1. Page 68. We have many instances of the like change induced in vegetables by climate. Thus the Quince-tree (Pyrus Cydonia) drops its leaves in the northern countries of Europe, but becomes an evergreen when it is transplanted to the south of France, the island of Minorca, and other southern climates (See Elements of Botany: or Outlines of the Natural History of Vegetables. Part First. p. 66. Philadelphia: 1803). It appears from Father Loureiro's Flora Cochinchinensis, that the Common Sassafras (Laurus Sassafras), and other vegetables that are natives of Cochinchina, and of Pennsylvania, and other parts of North-America, are evergreens in the former country, while in the latter they always drop their leaves in the fall and winter.

Note 2. Page 69. It is cultivated on the banks of the Weser, and in Hungary. It succeeds very well in Spain, and has been cultivated, for ages, in the neighbourhood of Verona, in Naples, &c.

Note 3. Page 70. It is a curious fact, which is now almost forgotten, that Rice was once cultivated, with some success, in the neighbourhood of Salem, in New-Jersey, nearly in latitude 39°. 40'. This was towards the latter end of the seventeenth century. Why the cultivation of the vegetable was laid aside, I have not learned; in all probability, it was because it was found, that the plant would not always ripen its seed, before the setting in of the severe frosts. But if, one hundred years ago, the Rice sometimes brought its seed to perfection, in the tract of country which I have mentioned, it would doubtless, by the present time, have "learned" to ripen it much more frequently; and this too even admitting (which I do admit), that no very essential change has taken place in the temperature of the climates of the Atlantic

states.

This mode of reasoning may afford some ray of hope to the inhabitants of those parts of Virginia, who, at this time, cultivate small quantities of Cotton, for their own family consumption, but who entertain a fear, that the early frosts of their climate will, for ever, prevent them from cultivating this valuable vegetable, upon a more enlarged scale. I think it very probable, that Cotton will, at some future period, be cultivated, with success, at least as far to the northward, on the Atlantic side of the United-States, as the northern boundary of Virginia. (See Elements of Botany, &c. Part III. page 98.) How much further than this it may be cultivated, time must determine.

correct.

Note 4. Page 71. This statement is not quite The Elms, in the State-House-area, are not the same, but two different species. In regard, however, to many trees, that are, confessedly, the same in species, Dr. Barnwell's assertion is confirmed by the observations of many writers.

Note 5. Page 71. There are many varieties of Indian-corn, and some of these varieties are capable of enduring much more northern latitudes than others. The same remark applies to the Rice, of which a late botanist (Willdenow) informs us, that he possesses eighteen varieties. Rumphius expressly informs us, that some of the varieties of this vegetable ripen their seed earlier than others. These things are worthy of the attention of my countrymen. With respect to the Indian-corn, our Indians (Delawares, &c.) say, that the true and genuine variety of this (which they call Lenni-Chasquem) never took more than ninety days, from the day it was planted, until it was perfectly ripe. I know not, whether they have, at present, this kind of corn, which, I doubt not, came from the south. When the Indians move to a new country, they always endeavour to discover, what variety of corn best suits their new soil, and at what time the people of the country plant it. The Chippewas have a kind of low corn, with a short ear, which seems best adapted to their northern situation. In the state of Ohio (on the waters of the Muskingum, Sciota, &c.), the Indians were accustomed to plant the high-growing varieties of corn, which, when planted about the 20th of May, will be ripe about

the middle of September, nearly one month later than the Lenni-Chasquem, before-mentioned. The Muskingum corn will not now come to perfection about Detroit and in Canada; but to these climates it may, it can hardly be doubted, be naturalised, or habituated, in a long course of time.

XIX. Notice of the Travels of a Mohawk-Indian.

DANIEL GREEN, a Mohawk-Indian, has spent two years in the north-west parts of North-America, at the distance of many hundred miles beyond Detroit. Hunting was the principal object he had in view, in taking this extensive journey. But the following observations will show, that he was not entirely an incurious traveller.

He says, that, during two whole summers, he saw but two serpents, and that these were of the striped kind, commonly known by the name of Garter-Snakes (Coluber saurita). That the game of the country is Buffaloe (Bos Americanus), Bears, both White and Black, the former much larger than the latter, with a remarkably broad foot, which is furnished with nails or claws, as long as a man's finger. He like, wise met with Moos (Cervus Alces), the Common American Elk; Goats which climb up the rocks; a kind of Sheep with a hairy back, much like a deer, but having long wool over its belly, and large horns (one of which he saw that weighed seven pounds); a species of deer which the French call Capree; the

Fisher (which I believe is a species of Mustela), the Martin (Mustela Martes), the Otter (Mustela Lutra), the Beaver (Castor Fiber), and one species of Fox.

He met with extensive plains or prairies, and with only a very few trees. These were Aspin (Populus tremuloides?), Birch (what species is not mentioned), and Spruce-Pine (Pinus). Grass grows on these plains not more than six inches in height, except in some swamps, where it is higher and ranker.

He met with a nation of Indians, whose language is so nearly allied to that of the Sawwannos, or Shawnese, that whoever understands the one understands the other.

He met with various kinds of birds, which he had never seen before. Some of them are songsters all the day.

In this remote part of the continent, he says, there is no rain at all in the winter-season; at least during the two winters, in which he resided in the country, it never rained once. Even in the summer, there are no set rains. The rains which do fall, are precipitated in gusts.

The preceding notice was communicated to the Editor by Mr. John Heckewelder, formerly of Bethlehem, but who, at present, resides on the river Mus