Elliott, Stephen, 1771-1830. Stephen Elliott papers, 1791- approximately 1947. Letters from James MacBride to Stephen Elliott 1812 October 7-1814 March 8. gra00020. Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Botany Libraries, Harvard University.

The following of your planta desiderata have bloomed, Coreopsis auriculata March 8th (thermometer at 84°); Adelia acuminata? present time; Planera gmelini, March 1; Veratrum parviflorum April 17th; Fedia radiata seu Valeriana locusta Walteri April 26; Plantago sparsiflora March 20th; Salix longirostris Feb. 25. I found the female; Allium canadense March 8 Thalictrum laevigatum April 23; Hyoseris angustifolia April 3; Sparganophorus verticillatus present time; Gnaphalium dioicum Feby. 29, Helonias angustifolia April 25. Veronica noveboracensis, Chelone glabra, Anemone virginiana Trichodium decumbens, Delphinium azureum, Veratrum album, & Heritiera gmelini, have sprouted & thier situations are known.

I should doubtless have discovered more but Mrs. Macbride's illness, which have been of 3 months duration has limited my excursion.

The Planera grows abundantly on the mar= gins of the creeks of the Santee Swamp; it rises to the height of 40 feet tho' rarely, & its general aspect is much that of the elm. An insect makes a nidus of the flowers & they they frame a monstrous appearance frequently. The seeds fed upon with avidity by the red bird (Loxia cardinalis) This tree merits the vulgor appelation of stunted or "scrubby."

Two species of Helenium? bloom about the middle of April in our stagnant ponds bearing single large yellow flowers The one with pubescent leaves & stalk the other smooth with decurrent leaves. Are they Helenia? If so we may have 4 species here. The one (that which is pubescent) may be the vernale of Walter, but the ligula far exceed 24. Having no glasses I can not determine some of the Syngenesious plants & the grasses accurately.

Since my last I discovered that the Orobanche americana is parasitic, as much so as Viscum or Cuscuta. I have found it generally attached to the roots of the water oak. I suspect the O. virginiana is so too it being found always "subradix fage" Plantago major has become naturalized, it grows luxuriantly in various parts of the Santee swamp.

You will oblige me very much by giving me any information respecting the origin, growth & favorite soils of our great tubers. From an individual specimen it appear[ed to shoot out of rotten roots like some] other cryptoga =mica. [What are the smallest & largest specimens] you have seen.

[insert see page 10]

[hidden by insert] [I am sorry to learn you have so unpleasant a visitor as the sick head ache. I have suffered the same. Strong vegetable acids generally relieve such as sour cider, lime juice &c. — Impaired vision is the promi=nent feature of my affection. All objects are in an undu =latory motion for 4 or 5 minutes when headache & sick stomack [suferance?].

For your information respecting] the Rosa laevigata accept [my sincere thanks] I have communicated it already to several gentlemen who seem resolved to give it a trial.

Business prevents me from digesting some observations I intended making.

I am dear sir, yours with great esteem J Macbride

The following of your planta desiderata have bloomed, Coreopsis auriculata March 8th (thermometer at 84°); Adelia acuminata? present time; Planera gmelini, March 1; Veratrum parviflorum April 17th; Fedia radiata sea Valeriana locusta Walteri April 26; Plantago sparsiflora March 20th; Salix longirostris Feb. 25. I found the female; Allium canadense March 8 Thalictrum laevigatum April 23; Hyoseris angustifolia April 3; Sparganophorus verticillatus present time; Gnaphalium dioicum Feby. 29, Helonias angustifolia April 25. Veronica noveboracensis, Chelone glabra, Anemone virginiana Trichodium decumbens, Delphinium azureum, Veratrum album, & Heritiera gmelini, have sprouted & thier situations are known.

I should doubtless have discovered more but Mrs. MacBride's illness,which has been of 3 months duration has limited my excursions extremely.

The Planera grows abundantly on the mar= gins of the creeks of the Santee Swamp; it rises to the height of 40 feet tho' rarely, & its general aspect is much that of the elm. An insect makes a nidus of the flowers & they they frame a monstrous appearance frequently. The seeds fed upon with avidity by the red bird (Loxia cardinalis) This tree merits the vulgor appelation of stunted or "scrubby" of April in our stagnant ponds bearing single large yellow flowers The one with pubescent leaves & stalk the other smooth with decurrent leaves. Are they Helenia? If so we may have 4 species here. The one (that which is pubescent) may be the vernale of Walter, but the ligula far exceed 24. Having no glasses I can not determine some of the syngenesious plants & the grasses accurately.

Since my last I discovered that the Orobanche americana is parasitic, as much so as Viscum or Cuscuta. I have found it generally attached to the roots of the water oak. I suspect the O. virginiana is so too it being found always "subradix fage" Plantago major has become naturalized, it grows luxuriantly in various parts of the Santee swamp.

You will oblige me very much by giving me any information respecting the origin, growth & favorite soils of our great tubers. From an individual specimen it appeared to shoot out of rotten roots like some other cryptoga =mica. What are the smallest & largest specimens you have seen.

I am sorry to learn you have so unpleasant a visitor as the sick head ache. I have suffered the same. Strong vegetable acids generally relieve such as sour cider, lime juice &c.— Impaired vision is the promi=nent feature of my affection. All objects are in an undu =latory motion for 4 or 5 minutes when headache & sick stomack supervene.

For your information respecting the Rosa laevigata accept my sincere thanks. I have communicated it already to several gentlemen who seem resolved to give it a trial.

Business prevents me from digesting some observations I intended making.

I am dear sir, yours with great esteem J Macbride

May 1812

[faded postmark] CHARN S CA Paid 25— MA 13

Stephen Elliot Esq {Esquire} Mail Beaufort. (S.C.) {South Carolina}

Pineville, May 16th 1813

Dear Sir,

I did myself the pleasure of sending you on Monday last a package of specimens by Artope's boat which I hope you have recd. ere this. I am sorry the collection was so small, it would have been greater had I had earlier notice of the opportunity— In the memoranda attached to the specimens be so good as to correct two errors. 1 Clematis — I wrote C. viorna for C. crispa. The C. crispa is very common in St. Stephens. C. viorna I have never seen unless the specimen sent prove to be it. The crispa affords a variety here with linear leaves. It always grows in cleared land.

2 Berberis vulgaris, (I am uncertain whether I sent you a specimen)— I did not mean the B. vulgaris of Linnaeus, but the species so common in N. England I believe it is the canandensis. I also stated it had not flowered. Today I visited the N. bank of Eutaw creek & on a closer view I find the green fruit arrived to the size it generally reaches in N. England— I brought a specimen home & will send it to you—.

Today I returned from a visit to Vance's ferry in St. Matthews, 10 miles above Eutaw. I was much gratified during a couple of hours spent in examining those high lime stone cliffs which here form the western bank of the Santee. The growth is indeed peculiar. The following I never met with before.

1 Hydrangea nivea Michx grows on the steep declivities, & can seldom be got at without danger. It is near flowering. Its close resemblance to the common ornamental Hydrangea induced me at first view to refer it to this genus. I brought [a very?] specimens & roots for you if you wish them. 2 Philadelphus inodorus I never saw wild before 3 Aquilegia canadensis in seed. 4 Acer saccharinum 5 Asarum canadense 6 Clematis — hairy, rising erect but sending off tendrils at the height of two feet not in bloom— Two or 3 were entirely unknown which I will send to you.

A medical friend living at Vances who has some relish for Botany has promised me to collect all the rare plants & those which do not grow in St. Stephens. I am very sorry I had it not in my power to assist him with a Flora otherwise his services would be more valuable.

Letters left at the country home of Gaillard & Mazyck will be immediately forwarded by the St. Stephen's post which leaves Charleston twice a week.

I am dear sir Yours with great regard J Macbride

Does the Acer saccharinum approaches nearer to the [lea?] in any other place in the southern states? Vance is not more than 60 miles in a direct line from Charleston & Eu taw not more than 50 — I suspect this Acer may be found 4 or 5 miles lower than Vances' —