Happy to hear his ornithological paper has been accepted by Linnean Society. Proposes Colonel [Thomas] Davies as FLS. Requests copies of lists and rules and orders [of Linnean Society].
Showing 21–40 of 81 items
Happy to hear his ornithological paper has been accepted by Linnean Society. Proposes Colonel [Thomas] Davies as FLS. Requests copies of lists and rules and orders [of Linnean Society].
Thanks for letter and "Linnean Transactions" vol 1. He has been working on 'Hyale' and 'Palaeno' and has distinguished the two "saffron butterflies", convinced the first is Linnaeus' 'Electra', gives character.
Notes and corrections on "Linnean Transactions", including [William] Markwick's paper [see RelatedMaterial below]. Death of Professor Lehnberg of Stockholm. Hopeful that reports of Dr [Anders] Sparrman's [(1748-1820)] death are groundless.
Returned Smith's book, with thanks. Offers specimen of 'Andersonia altissima', or 'Nauclea decandra' as [William] Roxburgh calls it. Requests Botany Bay seeds.
Wishes he could be in London to attend auction of Paitoni's books. Pleased to hear Smith is contemplating a "Flora Anglica" and new edition of "Flora Lapponica", suggests including all the new plants discovered since publication of "Species plantarum". Astonished by the number of botanical books being published; feels so far left behind that he must give it up. Requests books by L'Héritier; asks Smith's opinion of Krocker's "Flora Siberiaca".
Requests Smith's vote for William Frazer's candidacy at the Royal Society. Asks Smith to bid on his behalf for lot 8585 at Paitoni's election, work by Ehrhet.
Thanks for Smith's letter of 17 February [1791] and the trouble Smith took at auction of Paitoni's books, information on Harrison's herbarium, and botanical news. Arrangements for sending plates of L'Héritier's "Sertum Anglicum". Requests supplement of "Flora Pedemontana" and other botanical books. Pleased by reviews of his "Sketches of the progress of botany". His health "wretched" all winter.
Thanks for Smith's letter of 5 August [1791] copy of "Linnean Transactions" [vol 1]; wishes such an endeavour was in effect 20 or 30 years ago; praises papers by [Adam] Afzelius, Smith, and [Thomas] Martyn [see RelatedMaterial below]. Declines, for time being, Smith's offer to procure Cavanilles' "Monadelphiae". Thanks Smith for sending work on Syrian plants [Labillardiére's "Icones plantarum Syriae rariorum"].
[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "strolling about", he has visited Lord Bute's garden and raised 'Zizania aquatica'. Requests Vandelli's "Viridarium Grisley Lusitanicum" and Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum", when published.
Sends copies of his "Sketches of the Progress of Botany" for L'Héritier and [William] Curtis.
Thanks Smith for sending books, including L'Héritier, encloses bill, clearing his account with Smith; asks after text for Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum" and second part of Gaertner, and price of "Flora cochinchinensis". [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert "greatly enriched" his herbarium by a visit to Lord Bute's garden [John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792)], at High Cliff, Hampshire.
Pleased to receive confirmation of value of specimens he sent Smith some time ago, via [Nathaniel] Kindersly [Smith's cousin]. Will receive much satisfaction from "corresponding with so distinguished a Botanist as Dr Smith". Pleased to see in "Critical Review" for January [1791] that Smith has decided to make a genus of 'Paulina asiatica'; it will be drawn and described as 'Scopolia aromatica' in his next collection to be sent to the Court of Directors [of East India Company] and Sir Joseph Banks.
Requests copy of anything Smith publishes.
Progress of his work; vindicates Linnaeus.
Botanical exploration of Valencia; prices of his publications; requests identification of plants sent.
Has acquired Cusson's MS and collection of Umbelliferae.
Requests seeds of various plants.
Thanks for election as FLS. Asks Smith to enquire whether [Samuel] Goodenough would like him to send his collection of 'Fucus' and 'Confervae' straight away or whether he could wait until winter.
Thanks for Linnean Society diploma. Has a professorship and is Court Physician to the Duke, has little time for natural history. Flora of Courland does not exceed 700 plants of which there are few rare ones although the fauna is more interesting, especially migratory birds nesting in the forests and swamps. Description of the country, including geology and agriculture. Requests seeds of unspecified trees, shrubs and plants and any useful German publications that Smith would know from Sir Joseph Banks extensive channel of works and periodical papers.
Discussion of origin of two similar Latin words, seemingly "caprina" and "capricon" following a figure from Smith of 'acapricon', concluding an error in copying, following review of "Geoponica" [10th century Byzantine agricultural compendium] and "Rei Rustica Scriptores" [collected Roman agricultural texts]. Points out a similar mistake in 'Menyanthes', first adopted from Theophrastus by [Christoph] Knauth [(1638-1694)] and followed by every botanist since, when the true Greek word is 'Minyanthes', accordingly asks Smith to correct page 177 of ["Philosophia botanica"]. Comments on Smith referring him to ["Critica Botanica"] encourages Smith to correct and improve the work of Linnaeus, considering that he is already willing to change work of any other. Sends second drawing of ''Tropaeolum palmatum foliis palmatis' by a lady who sent a drawing of 'Dianthus superbus' to [William] Curtis, said lady also saw Smith's figure of 'Acapricon' and believes the mistake was easy and repeated from "Flor. Ant." p.346. Comments on 'Tropaeolum perninum'. Thanks for present although 'Satyr. hirein.' was bruised by being thrown out of its basket. Jonas has put a specimen of dried 'Tropaeolum' into a box for Smith along with drawing of 'Diathus superbus'. Asks for copy of "Flora Lapponica". Asks why 'Conv. majalis' is from a German and Dutch name rather than "nada" the essential specific name. Asks Smith to view Ferrari "de Flor. Cultura" in reference to 'Fed. casius'. Asks Smith to procure 'Theophrastus' either "by Gaza, Stapel, Scaligen".
Account for books, etc.
Has visited Switzerland and met Davall; "Celsia orientalis"; difficulty of procuring books; desires exchanges.
Introduces Mr Balla, minister of foreign affairs to the Empress of Russia [Catheriner II (1729-1796)], whom he travelled with through Italy and Sicily, asks Smith to show him his collections.
Thanks Smith for letter and present. Sending a box of insects to [Thomas] Marsham, with duplicates for Smith. Saw [Thomas] Woodward's herbarium and fossil collection and discussed establishment of a local natural history society. Rev Charles Davy [(d 1836)] of Caius College, Cambridge, proposed encouraging study of natural history on national level by having the plan adopted in every county. Asks if [James] Sowerby safely received the 'Hirudines' ['Hirudo'].