From:
Charles Rainsford
To:
Joseph Banks
Date:
31 December 1783
Source of text:
MM/2/5, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Thanks for specimens sent with letter of 3 February, including the asbestos; remarks on its unsuitability for cloth and similarity to a newly discovered Derbyshire stalactite known as “hair fossil”, requests specimen of other asbestos called "leather". Lichens found by [James] Crowe, [John] Pitchford, and himself: 'Lichen fascicularis' and 'L. tremelloides'. He and [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] found 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; their observations. A probable 'Lycoperdon' found by Mr Humphreys; observations, including similarities to 'Phallus impudicus' and 'Lycoperdon bovista'. Lists plants and lichens for Smith to look for in Westmoreland on his journey into England, hopes he will go the mountain the Old Man of Coniston for 'Carex capitata'; lists other plants found there.
Shall follow his mother's directions to not attend any funerals, though that danger small compared to "what every medical man must be often exposed to", believing that every day people are exposed to abundant sources of infection but their constitutions are "seldom in a state to receive it". In daily expectation of his medal [given by Dr John Hope for best Scottish herbarium]. Proposes to be in London next winter, and will go to Norwich first in June. Afraid last change in Ministry will renew the war. Does not think Scotland has enough spirit to be independent.
Has been confined with diarrhea but cured with castor oil and butter, and laudanum and rhubarb. His dissatisfaction at enquiries into the Theory and Practice of Physic; believes medicine is in "the most barbarous condition of any science, & only now emerging from the greatest darkness & absurdity"; practitioner commonly state that theory is nothing and practice everything; Cullen's and Browne's lessons; accounts of Medical Society debates put into newspapers, violently incensing the orthodox men, conflict between Brunonians and Cullenians. On his recommendation Dr Broussonet of Montpelier, [France], whom he was with at Carlisle, was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Medical Society; Broussonet has offered in return to gain Smith's admittance to French academies, will also gain Broussonet admittance to Natural History and Philosophical Societies. Sends his father copy of letter received from Lord Buchan on being admitted an honorary member of the Natural History Society.
Encloses seed of 'Alsa foetida', given by Dr Hope from only plant of the kind in Europe, in Edinburgh Botanic Garden, to be given to Mr Ives; also sending to Mr Jackson, [James] Crowe, and [Thomas] Woodward; history of the plant. Recently attended Assembly Ball.
Thanks for election as honorary member of the Natural History Society.
His botanising is limited to the "rude mountains" of his locale and mists have made the season unfavourable to Highland botanists. Will pass through London on his way to East Indies this summer. Studying Persian in Edinburgh in a month; intends to send Smith "some small fruit of [his] botanical labours". Hopes Smith has received a copy of his thesis. Smith's opinion of 'Lichen gelidus' well founded; hopes to send specimens but difficult to procure. The moss he thought to be a 'Splachnum' may be 'Bryum capsulis nutantibus' and the 'Lichen caeruleo-nigricans' appears doubtful, believes it may be a variety of 'Lichen calcarius'. Sending specimens of [William] Hudson's 'Helvella plana' and a similar fungus. Will give Smith the [Robert] Morison book before leaving for the Indies.
Will send a parcel once he receives instructions from Smith. Encloses '[Hypnum] proliferum' in fructification. Offers to send the 'verticillatum' of [John] Lightfoot; believes his attribution is wrong as it totally differs from those of Linnaeus and [William] Hudson. Similarly, Dr [John] Walker [(1731-1803) professor of natural history] showed that Lightfoot's 'Salix arenaria' is Linnaeus' 'Salix fusca', from specimens of [Daniel] Solander's. Offers to send Smith '[Ptilium] crista-castrensis'. Has found '[Sphagnum] palustre' and a 'Boletus' with a "delightful smell" he believes to be the 'suaveolens' of Linnaeus ['Trametes suaveolens'], Lightfoot describes one under the same name but with no odour. The society [Natural History Society, Edinburgh] "rather low" but has received a great addition in Mr Alexander. Hopes to submit a paper soon.
Thanks for gift of Litmus and Stalactites. Pleased to hear Smith has kept his health and become strong since leaving Edinburgh.
Glad to hear of recovery of Smith's health. Sending specimen of a variety of eel or other, found in stagnant waters and believed by the "vulgar" to be "an animated horsehair"; observations. Offers to send Smith a 'Gwiniad' [fish]. Unable to make anything of insects 'Cimex lacustris' and 'C. stagnorum' of Linnaeus. Has sent Smith 'Lichen furfuraceus'.
Reports on condition of local crops: oats in poor condition, the wheat is promising, and the barley likely to be destroyed by weeds, particularly 'Galeopsis tetrahit'. Fruit trees almost destroyed by small green worm, probably 'Lepidopterous' larvae; observations. All hawthorn flowers destroyed by 'Scurabens horticola', and ash, oak, fir, and plane trees similarly infertile; 'Prunus padus' and 'Ulmus campestris' the only trees to flourish. Meadows have an abundance of 'Trollius'.