ABSTRACT
This chapter explores in more depth the techniques used by a variety of authors to describe the landscape of the New World. Travel journals, especially explorations south and west into the interior provided a great deal towards the sum of scientific knowledge about North America during this period. An undated but incredibly detailed letter from Pryce Hughes of South Carolina to his brother in law Mr. Jones supports Hedrick's claim by illustrating the importance of the transatlantic exchange of plants and seeds. The difference in climate between Carolina and Georgia and the more northerly colonies and Britain struck many of the commentators. John Ogilby raised a theme that many commentators warmed to: the use of medicinal plants to cure the ailments found in the New World. A transatlantic, intertextual, shared way of examining and cataloguing the landscape emerged during this period, with authors of texts that were aimed at a local American audience in dialogue with visitors and English residents.
