List of local plants and habitats. Informs Smith that [Thomas] Hutton [(fl 1780s-1820s)] of Keswick, [Cumberland] is "a sad ignorant imposter" who does not know the most common plants.
[Letter incomplete: first half appears to be missing]
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The Linnean Society of London Collection
The scientific and personal correspondence of James Edward Smith (1759-1828), purchaser of the collections of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) and founder of the Linnean Society of London in 1788, was presented to the Linnean Society between 1857 and 1872 by his widow Pleasance Smith (1773-1877). Since then, it has been complemented by additional series. The collection was catalogued, conserved, and digitised from 2010 to 2013, thanks to the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Letters can be searched through Ɛpsilon, with links to images and summaries available on the Linnean Society’s Online Collections (http://linnean-online.org/smith_correspondence.html).
List of local plants and habitats. Informs Smith that [Thomas] Hutton [(fl 1780s-1820s)] of Keswick, [Cumberland] is "a sad ignorant imposter" who does not know the most common plants.
[Letter incomplete: first half appears to be missing]
Sending small parcel of plants, numbered descriptions and observations of the specimens, including: 'Lichen hymenis', 'L. gelasinatus', 'L. calvus', 'Sphaeria gregaria', 'L. polyrhiza', 'L. vernalis', 'L. scriptus', 'L. ripicola', 'Peziza bicolor' [Smith has annotated many in pencil and ink].
Has found 'Scandix adorata' in Yorkshire; probable that 'Turritis hirsuata' is taken for 'Cardamine bellidifolia'; glad his 'Saxifraga palmata' proves to be variety of 'S. hypnoides'; 'Lycoperdon stellatum', 'Lycoperdon fornicatum', and 'Lycoperdon recolligens' grow abundantly in his neighbourhood; has found 'Agaricus alneus'. Intends to send [James] Sowerby duplicates of the lichens.
Descriptions of two new species of 'Carex' [Smith has annotated "'C. acuta' JES" in left-hand margin of verso of first folio and "var. of 'ampullacea'? JES or a mule?" at top of recto of first folio]. Has found 'Dianthus barbatus' growing indigenous in Studley Woods. Discussion of 'Carex gracilis', which he took to be 'C. lavigata'. Has found 'Actaea spicata', 'Ribes petraum', 'Lichen saluminus'. Catalogue [extant] of 'Carex' and 'Lichen' species growing locally; offers to send specimens of any and requests specimens of any not listed.
[Letter incomplete: top third of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]
Sent plants to [James] Sowerby, listed, with details of habitats, including: 'Mentha gentilis', 'Hieracium umbellatum', 'Impatiens noli-tangere', 'Mentha arvensis', 'Poa distans'. Has found but not sending specimens of 'Bromus secalinus', 'Bromus multiflorus', 'Hypericum lubium'; has specimens in herbarium of 'Potentilla aurea', resisted persuasion to call it 'P. verna'. Asks if the fern he encloses is the 'Cyathea incisa' of "English botany" [Smith has annotated "'fragilis'"].