Criticisms of Smith's plates. [Jean-Baptiste] Lamarck appointed Botanist to Louis XVI. Lamarck on 'Calceolaria plantaginea'. Sends 'Aquilegia viscosa'.
Opinion of [François] Borone. Military service. "The mob" misrepresented.
Introduces L'Escallier.
Introduces Wibourg. Asks Smith to send a telescope and some pieces of "very English" music.
Invites Pulteney to become a FLS; news of the Linnean Society, including intentions, members, fees, and collections. Botanical news: 'Calycanthus praecox' in flower this winter; discovered that 'Schrebera' is only 'Myrica aethiopica' with a 'Cuscuta' on it, intends to publish this and other observations in a volume "Observationes Botanicae", but at present occupied in publishing "Icones plantarum"; Kew catalogue published in June.
Young [Joseph Franz] Jacquin staying in Britain for most of the summer. [Thomas] Marsham publishing an "Entomolgia Britannica". His herbarium now in better order than when he was at Chelsea, offers its services.
Received Pulteney's letter of 6 October [1789]. Congratulates him on admission as FLS, rejoices "to have your name on our list as one of the main pillars of our infant undertaking", believes Pultney's and Linnaeus' names ought never to be separated. Proud that Pulteney approves of his recent publications, currently working on second fasciculus and "more splendid work with coloured figures". Studying 'Arenaria' for Linnean Society and ferns for another purpose.
'Erica didyma' of Stokes distinct from 'E. multiflora' Linnaeus. [Olof] Swartz' "Prodromus" not to be had in London. Recommends Jusseiu's "Genera Plantarum", though "not altogether Linnean". Offers to acquire L'Héritier's works for him.
Anxious for news of Smith. Introduces Dr Signuel, bearer of this letter. Sending [Carl] Thunberg's most recent dissertations, completing collection of his "academic specimens". Sending work on Greek 'Staphylini' for Smith, [Jonas] Dryander, and [Sir Joseph] Banks. Requests recent "Materia medica".
Thanks for Smith's letter of 7 September [1789] and parcel of books; unfortunately several were damaged in sinking of boat. Smith's "Plantarum Icones" confirms that Smith has become Linnaeus' successor and scientific heir. Sent Smith complete set of Thunberg's "Dissertations"; will endeavour to find volume 4 of "Transactions of Royal Academy of Uppsala" and [Olof] Swartz' "Prodromus West Indies". Introduces [Adam] Afzelius, who should be in London by now
Grateful for election as a member of the Linnean Society. Will soon send copies of an "Auctarium" published the previous summer, one for Royal Society, one for Sir Joseph Banks, one for Smith, one for Linnean Society and twelve to be sold.
Agrees with Smith that Mr Whitling is neither a "scientific man" or a practical botanist, but as his company annually imports many seeds and plants from America he may be useful in producing new things for the Linnean Society, but otherwise his admittance to the Society not of any consequence.
A case of a woman, Ann Sidley, with functional supernumerary nipples. Encloses the particulars and a drawing, written up by Mr Conquest, a surgeon of Chatham, for possible inclusion in "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society" [not extant, nor does the account appear to have been published by the Royal Society]. Having examined the woman himself, makes his own observations by comparison to a similar case described in [Thomas] Bartholin's [(1616-1680)] "Anatomia Reformata". The curiosity only discovered when she began breastfeeding. Theorises on formation and connection of the "lactiferous tubes", illustrated with a small diagram.
Encloses account to be read at the Linnean Society [unstated].
Pleased that Lord Gainsborough [Henry Noel, 6th Earl of Gainsborough (1743-1798)] has been elected [to the Linnean Society] but intended for the proposal and election to be at different meetings. The King [George III (1738-1820)] is "so far better to have grown perfectly harmless & quiet, but he wavers almost every quarter of an hour" and informed that Dr [Francis] Willis [(1718-1807), physician to George III] thinks a perfect recovery will be accomplished in time with the attentions of friends. Goodenough concerned that people in the King's situation often relapse or continue with irregular waverings. The Chancellor [Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow (1731-1806)] saw the King yesterday and left convinced of necessity of immediately declaring the Regent, Goodenough convinced this likely and concludes that he understands that "the string upon which he goes off is Politicks particularly the German". Had not heard of the D of P [William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809)] declining a part in the admininstration, hopes it is not true.
Could not attend meeting on Tuesday because there was no moon for the return journey, fears his Royal Society certificate has been forgotten and asks Smith to ask Mr Greville, Mr Marsden, or Mr Blagden to sign it.
Has just returned from Oxford. Already has a copy of second edition of [Johann Daniel] Leers [(1727-1774)] but asks Smith to look out for a first edition. Arrangements for purchasing L'Heritier's "Sertum Anglicum". Asks if Smith has a spare copy of [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber's "Grasses" [ "Beschreibung der Graesser"?]. Asks after progress of Smith's next fasciculus and for Smith to send it him as soon as ready. Argues the value of giving a preface to every fasiculus for saying something upon the nature of work; additional remarks on previously published plants; and prepatory annotations on forthcoming plants. Saw at Oxford Smith's friend Dr [William] Thomson [(c 1760-1806), mineralogist and physician]; persuaded him to give him the plants Smith provided for his abandoned "Materia Medica". Also saw [John] Sibthorp who gave him Cyrpus wine and Hymettian honey and gave him a tour of the rarities of the Sherardian library and garden. Next time Sibthorp is in London intends to compare all the Sherardian collection with Sir Joseph [Banks'] or Smith's collections. Sibthorp's thousand drawings "very excellent" and he has added Linnean names to the Sherardian and Morrisonian collections in his keeping; the garden is superior to the one at Cambridge.
Notes on plants found on his summer tour of Cornwall: encloses seeds of 'Ligustrum cornubiensis', also has specimen of plant if desired; 'Genista pilosa', previously only known near Bury, growing amongst 'Erica vulgaris' on the soap rock near Lizard Point; 'Erica multiflora' on Goonhilly Downs near Helstone, universally with white flowers; offers specimens of soap rock.
Looks forward to personally paying his respects to Smith: his late brother [Sir John Cullum, 6th baronet (1733-1785)] often spoke of him and Lady Cullum says she is an old acquaintance.
FMLS diplomas sent by Smith arrived safely. His affection for Smith. Has a parcel of plants for [Samuel] Goodenough. Had a cabinet made up to same specifications as Smith's. Has drawing of 'Micropus erectus' but no conveyance for sending; easier to send from Jamaica than Switzerland. The engraving he had made of 'Crepis' no longer correct having read [Werner de] Lachenal's [(1736-1800), professor of botany at Basel] "Observationes botanica medicae" (1776) and realised a mistake made by [Albrecht von] Haller; consulted Lachenal's plants in person in Basel. Possible specimen of 'Lichen cucullatus' to send Smith, as well as 'Aretia alpina', 'Achilla moschata', 'Laserpitium simplex', and the 'Gentiana' 652 Hall[er's] "Hist[oria stirpum]", suggests the name 'Gentiana pedunculata', the same as "Flora Danica" tab 318 [extant]. Now has more specimens of 'Turritis carulea'. Only satisfied with Smith's botanical figures after seeing his "Plantarum Icones"; remarks on 'Stellaria dichotoma'. Haller's no.890 without doubt 'Stellaria cerastoides'.
On left-hand margin of recto of first folio Davall has written that he thinks [James] Sowerby's figure for 'Spartium decumbens' "excellent", though there are errors with the vexillum.
Specimen, labelled 'Swertia carinthiaca'.
Surprised Davall did not mention his marriage in last letter; hopes his new wife is "no enemy to Flora". Growing friendship with Davall's friend, [Edward] Forster of Threadneedle Street. Following his introduction to Lady Rockingham by Davall received from her her six volumes of "Hortus Malabaricus"; presenting [Joseph von] Jacquin to her at Hillingdon. Linnean Society in good health; [Jonas] Dryander has submitted "excellent" paper on 'Begonia'.
Davall's 'Spartium decumbens' figured in [Nikolaus von] Jacquin's "Icones [plantarum rariorum]" vol 2 fasc 3 as 'Genista humifusa' of Linnaeus, thinks Davall's figure much better. Smith expects his new work to eclipse Jacquin's, who "falls off grievously". Sir Joseph Banks resentful of his and [James] Sowerby's ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum"] as he would like Sowerby to contribute to similar work on Kew plants, but is otherwise on good terms with Banks and Dryander and they are thought the "best possible friends".
Gathered 'Carex tomentosa' for [James] Dickson and waiting for 'Lichen cucullatus'. Has misgivings over figuring of Davall's 'Gentiana' as 'Swertia carinthiaca' in [Nikolaus von] Jacquin's "Miscellanea Austriaca" and thinks Davall should publish it as 'Gentiana pendunculata'. Lady Rockingham gave Jacquin Sowerby's drawing of her 'Aralia', or 'Hedera'. Blunders caused by Murray's printing. Requests seeds of 'Stellaria cerastoides'. Received 'Cerastium alpinum' from [Jacob] Wyttenbach. 'Aquilegia alpina' growing from his seeds at Chelsea. Details of his next fasciculus. His joke that a 'Hastingia' sent to Banks by [Charles] Konig should be called 'Hastingia sanguinea' well received by Dryander and [Richard] Salisbury but Banks grave, thinks him "a mere toad eater to the King". Dickson returned from Scotland with many items. Received seeds of 'Smithia' and dried plants from East India [Company].
Asks if Smith received collection of 'Arenaria' from [Dominique] Villars. Davall can obtain 'Sonchus canadensis', 'Ribes petraeum' of Jacquin, and 'Hypericum dubium' of Leers. Requests copy of fasciculus [of "Icones pictae plantarum rariorum"] containing Smith's 'Antirrhinum reticulatum', and specimen.
Numbered remarks on Swiss plants sent to Smith 22 May to Smith, requests the specimens be returned, plants include: 'Antirrhinum genistafolia', 'Potentilla opaca', a 'narbonense', a "hairy variety" of 'Arenaria tenuifolia', 'Arenaria liniflora', 'Schoenus ferrugineus', and 'Senecio paludosus'. Smith should determine 'Arenaria'. Thanks for Linnaean specimen of 'Diapensia lapponica', "a piece of the Cross is less precious to a bigot catholic", and for 'Aristolochia pistolochia'. Found 'Lichen flauescens' of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin's ["Miscellanea Austriaca"]. His marriage. Wants to send Smith Chamouny honey, hopes he received the Chamois horns and seeds of 'Aquiligia alpina', 'Stellaria cerastoides' and others.
His trip to Paris: Broussonet took him to the Académie des Sciences in Paris and has enabled correspondence with Montpellier, [France]. [Jean Louis Antoine] Reynier [(1762-1824), botanist] meddling with politics and may end up in the Bastille; he is an observer of "considerable perspicacity" having determined 'Sonchus canadensis' without the the knowledge Smith had communicated. Purchased [Johan Daniel] Leers' ["Flora Herbornensis"] but plates are bad impressions.
[Jacques] Dorthes in Montpellier, [France], a good correspondent for Davall, though he himself only knows him as an entomologist. Will figure the true 'Sonchus alpinus' in his first fasciculus, now printing [presumably "Plantarum Icones"], convinced the alpine one is 'Sonchus canadensis'; [Jan Fredrik] Gronovius' [(1686-1762)] synonym belongs to 'Sonchus floridanus' as confirmed by [Sir Joseph] Banks' herbarium. Since Davall left discovered that [Albrecht von] Haller's 1338 is 'Scirpus triqueter', not 'Scirpus mucronatus'.
Received specimen of 'Lachenalia tricolor' from Lady Rockingham [Mary Watson-Wentworth]. The King [George III (1738-1820)] "confidently said to be mending". Printing "Reliquiae Rudbeckianae". 'Thouinia' of "Supp[lementum plantarum]" proves to be 'Chionanthus [zeylanicus]', having found it in younger [Carl] Linnaeus' [(1741-1783)] herbarium; intends to give [Andre] Thouin a new genus allied to 'Cordia' in new fasciculus. L'Heritier wants to name 'Morus papyrifera' after Broussonet; keeping back his own 'Broussonetia' for time being. [Jean Louis Antoine] Reynier [(1762-1824), botanist] intends to remain member of Linnean Society and was surprised they thought he was giving up natural history.