ENPages
(seq. 16)
Dear Sir,
I have left with Mr. Peronneau "medical notices" for the remainder of Pentandria & all Hexan =dria— The Hydrolea should be named I think from its inflorescence which is paniculate or rather corymbose—paniculate. You will see a tolerably scant description of it in a letter I wrote you dated Augt 1812 while you were at Columbia.
The Eryngium with blue flowers is in the sods of earth which contain the Hydrolea & Cacalia lanceolata. Its radical leaves are now very apparent. I could not tell you the name when we both observed it when last at V-farm. The radical leaves are very remarkable.
The G. [Gentiana] falesbai differs from G. sapo- naria 1 — Lacinia of the Calyx 2 the plica interna of the Corolla 3 the smoothness of the stem; bends several minor differences.
I am Dear Sir [loss]
(seq. 18)
I lately met with a gentleman Mr. Mayrant {Esquire} of Stateburg, who assures me he has been restored to health by the use of a spirituous infusion of Sampson's snake root. His case appears to have been chronic dyspepsia de- pending upon disease of the biliary system— He was recommended to this remedy by a Mr. Brisbane who was relieved also— Mr. B. is seems was induced to try the remedy at the recommendation of a Dr. Campbell of Beaufort— Mr. M. pointed out to me the Gentiana catesbaei Walt. as the plant he used but considered it the same with [sh.?] Salomonia only more luxyriant from a more favourable soil— I give this as I received it making no comments, it may corroborate what you have already heard— — I stated before what I knew of the use of the Gentiana— I believe they highly merit a place in our shops
(seq. 20)
As your attention seems to have been somewhat arrested by the mention of the calcareous region in St John's parish I will endeavour to give you a more particular sketch of it— In order that you may have some idea of its extent & boundaries take a large map of S. Carolina (Guillard & Cooks engraved before the Revolutionary War) & from the point of confluence of the swamps Wadboo & Big =gin which form the northern branch of Cooper river extend northwardly a strait line 6.° west of N. to the distance of 12 or 15 miles then vary it to 60.° W of N & continue it until it intersect the Santee which it ought to do 12 miles below Nel =sons ferry. This line will form the eastern boundary & will not approach Pine Ville nearer than 4 miles. For the western boundary extend N. westerly a strait line from the above mentioned point of confluence, 60.° west of N until it intersect the Santee which it should do 5 or 6 miles above Nelsons-ferry. The included portion of the Santee which runs due east here will be the northern boundary.
Throughout nearly the whole of this tract a lime stone stratum may be discovered but, from the unequal diffusion of the incumbent earth, at very unequal depths; in some places it is scarely reached by a well of 18 or 20 feet while in others it is entirely denuded. In this latter state you may find it considerably distant from springs or water courses. The lime stone which is dug from some depth is soft, porous, & apparently composed in the proportion of one half of the recrement of marine testacea, but if exposed for any length of time to the atmosphere it attracts & fixes the carbonic acid gas & thus acquires hardness & compactness. We frequently find masses which have lain above ground for years & probably ages, very hard, homogeneous, of a blue colour & much resembling what Minerologists term primeval limestone. It is a certain fact that in all the specimens of our lime stone which you find above ground you discern less of the animal exuvia. Ever since the settlement of this tract of country quick lime has been manufactured from this stratum, but great & long continued heat is acquired to disengage the fixed air. Vinegar of moderate tolerable strength readily extricates this gas.——
Springs of transparent & cool water suddenly gush out of the earth forming bold rivulets in several parts of this tract. The Biggin & its tributary streams derive their water almost exclusively from these sources. The Santee too receives a supply tho' the medium of Eutaw, "Rocks" & other springs. The water is highly impregnated with carbonate of Lime in so much that it is deposited on those vessels in which it is boiled in considerable quantities Those springs abound with large eels, & small fish, like wise great quantities of