In good order, Linnaeus has received Alexander Garden’s letter dated 14 May 1770{L4369} and the specimens enclosed therein.
The plant Indian Pink is already known to Linnaeus through John Hope, who has depicted and described it very well [see Hope to Linnaeus, 9 May 1767{L3908} ]. It can not be anything else than Spigelia. It is used also in Swedish pharmacy, but Linnaeus does not think it is very effective.
Linnaeus asks for a specimen of the potato louse, even if it is a very small creature.
Linnaeus makes some additional comments on the specimens of plants and animals, among those the Hamamelis.
Linnaeus has heard that there is a wild Thea in South Carolina. He asks if it can be the same as the Chinese Thea.
Ichneumon is an interesting animal, since its tail is longer than that of any other species.
Garden is happy to live in a region that is neither too hot, as the tropical regions, nor too cold, as up north. Garden has perpetual summer.