From:
James Keir
To:
Joseph Priestley
Date:
26 March 1788
Source of text:
L&P/9/87, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
No summary available.
His English is suffering due to time he has to dedicate to St George's bank, almost believes it better to give his place in the Linnean Society to Dr Canestri of the Turin Academy who would be better able to supply papers. Believes if Smith becomes a physician in London it will be to the detriment of botany and science. Has had a small picture of 'Linnaea' that appears in a bust of Linnaeus copied in marble.
Enquires after Dr Savage and Lord Verney. Hopes that Smith has received the parcel he sent; as settlement of the debt will accept any small item for his "infant Musuem". Glad Smith is enjoying the company of Baron de la Tourbie, has heard a report that he wishes to marry the Prime Minister's daughter in order to get in the diplomatic body. News of mutual friends: Ippolito [Durazzo's] wife shall give birth soon; believes [William] Batt [(1744-1812) physician and chemist] shall settle in Genoa.
Thanks for specimens; requires "Sparrmannia" to be engraved with Tournier's portrait of Sparrman; progress of his work.
Translating Pulteney's work on Linnaeus and adding a supplement of vindication.
Requests copy of Smith's "De Generatione". Does Smith know in what [Peter Simon] Pallas published about discovering the hearing organs of crayfish. Has translated [John] Hunter's "Memoir on the Digestion" [(1728-1793), surgeon], as well received as Hunter's "Animal economy" and work on venereal diseases. Plans to publish third, fourth, and fifth volumes of his own "Annotations Anatomiques" this year.
Introduces [Edmund] Davall.
Natural History Society formed in Paris, sends names of members.
Gratified that both Smith and Sir Joseph Banks think the seeds of Mr Fabbroni are 'Lathyrus sativus' and not 'Lathyrus cicera', is currently writing a paper on the subject. Flattered by invitation to join the Linnean Society. Sending seeds requested by Smith, and the delayed catalogue of seeds [from botanic garden of Santa Maria Nuova hospital, extant]. Asks if Smith can purchase and send [James] Petiver's [(c 1665-1718)] complete "Concordia Graminum" for him.
Catalogue of seeds [8pp], containing 1012 species.