Researches on "Umbelliferae".
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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).
Researches on "Umbelliferae".
Congratulates Smith on his knighthood. Suffering from angina pectoris, believes that it is not always fatal and refers to two cases mentioned by Parry in which one patient died in a fall and the other took arsenic by mistake. Asks after his paper on ivy.
Thanks for copy of Smith's "Introduction to Botany". Reports from his excursion into Yorkshire: wishes Smith had been with him at the "dropping well" at Knaresborough, there were jungermanniae, lichens, and mosses; found 'Inula helerium' and 'Sedum telefitium' in a hedge bank, 'Atropa belladonna' in churchyard near Ferrybridge, Yorkshire, and in hedges near the town, and 'Colchium autumnale' in meadows about Knaresborough. Recounts anecdote in Dr [Thomas] Zouch's [(1737-1815)], prebendary of Durham and FLS, unpublished "Memoir of the life of Dr John Sudbury", dean of Durham in 1661, about the detainment of the cathedral library's copy of [John] Gerard's "Herbal" by Colonel Robert Lilburn; thinks it curious in showing the estimation in which the book was held. Invites the Smiths to visit for the Bury Fair.
Postscript by Lady Cullum repeating Cullum's invitation.
Has not heard from Smith for two years; uncertain if the Linnean Society has received his papers on genus 'Bertolonia', genus 'Callitriche', and descriptions of two new genera of 'Crustacea' and new species of Atlantic fish. Enquires after the bill he sent Smith with which to purchase and send him new natural history books. He has also sent the first volume of a scientific journal he has been publishing since the start of the year as well, but hearing no answer supposes it not acceptable. Encloses several pamphlets. Regrets that their correspondence is not more active. Wishes to know if "Flora Britannica" vol 4 and "Prodromus florae graecae" vol 2 are published.