After attending Smith's botanic lectures in London has a question on "Luccams" oak, sometimes called evergreen, an "accidental variety from seed of 'Qu[e]rcus cerris'. Debates why its leaves remain on the tree longer than those of deciduous oaks.
Showing 21–40 of 103 items
After attending Smith's botanic lectures in London has a question on "Luccams" oak, sometimes called evergreen, an "accidental variety from seed of 'Qu[e]rcus cerris'. Debates why its leaves remain on the tree longer than those of deciduous oaks.
Thanks Smith for his letter and invites him to visit her and her husband [Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham]. Interested in obtaining 'Strelitzia reginae' from the Chelsea Physic Garden.
List of plants sent to Bellardi by Smith in addition to those marked in Bellardi's desiderata.
Received from Smith academic dissertations by Linnaeus, plants for his herbarium and seeds, which have been planted in [Rodrigo de] Sousa [Coutinho's] garden, suggests in future Smith sends seeds rather than dried specimens to Sousa. Planning to write to [Edmund] Davall. Hopes to see a new edition of Smith's "Vegetabilium System", a bookseller in Turin would like every book on botany or natural history Smith has published or intends to publish. Satisfied with Smith's observations on the plants of uncertain classification, has consulted Scheuchzer's "Agrostographiae Helveticae Prodromus", is certain that the 'Phalaris' in question is the one described by Linnaeus and not 'Radice perenni', on which he is currently working on a memoir of for the Academy of Sciences. The 'Arenaria' he sent with the name of 'Saxatilis vill' is a perennial. Discussion of 'Arenaria zanoni', 'Arenaria flaccida', 'Arenaria capillacea', 'Arenaria striata'. Asks for advice on 'Allium nigrum', 'Potentilla verna', 'Androsace lactea', 'Ranunculus cuneifolium', 'Campanula rupestris', 'Trifolium aureum', 'Spartium [...]', 'Asperula saxatilis', 'Asperula cynanchica', 'Festuca decidua', 'Radix perennis', 'Polypodium [pessimalte]', 'Anthemis altissima', all of which Smith has received from Bellardi, this list is underlined in pencil.
Introduces Mr Istria, a medical doctor interested in natural history and botany.
Thanks for diploma of Linnean Society. Sends papers on botany and entomology. Introduces Brogniard.
Introduces Mr Newton, an "accurate botanist, & skilful mineralogist", who wishes to inspect Smith's lichens. Recently spent time with one of their old Edinburgh friends, Dr Goodwin, who has been abroad with Mr North. Would like to see Smith next time he is in Norfolk. Antrobus sends his compliments.
Account of his time in Italy: spent time with Tozzetti at Florence, brings book/manuscript from him; compliments from Abbé Fontana; sending Scarpa's last publication; received great attention from Spallanzani including response to Hunter's queries on his animal digestion experiments.
His health did not benefit much by the Italian air [Boraston had wintered in Italy]; cold weather in Florence and Pisa; regrets not visiting Nice; inconvenience of making long journies alone. Left Spallanzani's response to Mr Hunter [on animal digestion] with Dr [William] Thomson [(c 1760-1806), mineralogist and physician]; many requests to peruse it. Will send impressions from Tozzetti of 'Fucus', described by Micheli, found near Florence. On his return through Milan visited Count Castiglioni, whose brother, Luigi, remembers meeting Smith; preparing history of plants and forest trees of North America; astonished by collections of the Milanese, particularly the Marquis d'Angubola's natural history collection; Societa Patriotica.
Informed that the ship with Smith's fossils has arrived in the King's Warehouse, will send them on as soon as the duty is paid. Thomas Sikes reminds Smith of his promise for letter of introduction to Mr Stuart, for his trip to Scotland. Received parcel of plants for Smith from [Edmund] Davall.
Returns borrowed book [unspecified].
Discouraged by Smith's mention of the difficulties of settling the mints, but not yet abandoning his intention; sending Smith all his specimens, discusses 'Mentha sativa', 'M. gentilis', 'M. exigua', 'M. villosa', and 'M. sylvestris'.
Compliments to [James] Sowerby, intends to take his "little work" ["English botany"], "the botanist searches in vain for something to feast upon". Compliments Smith's "Icones pictae" but unable to purchase it. Encloses two 'Squilla' for determination.
Thanks for election as FLS. Isolated from progress of botany, owing to his "out of the way" location, not having a botanical correspondent in London, and inability to buy even old botanical books. Declines Smith's offer to acquire L'Héritier's "sumptuous work" until he is sure of its extent; would like to see the treatise on 'Geranium' mentioned in "Hortus Kewensis" but assumes the "present distracted state of France " will disrupt such publications.
[Smith has briefly noted on recto of second folio extent and cost of a book]
Thanks Smith for offering to procure botanical books for him; requests L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum"; directions for sending. Anxious to procure those books quoted by Linnaeus, particularly Dalechamp and Brunssaling. He is about to publish his "Sketches of the progress of botany" [(1790)], orginally intended as an introduction to a large scale English flora.
Reminds Smith of his request for L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum", adds L'Héritier's "Stirpes novae" to his order.
Thanks Smith for sending books [L'Héritier's "Sertum anglicum" and "Stirpes novae"], encloses payment. Requests L'Héritier's "Cornus" and second fasciculus of Smith's work ["Plantarum icones" ?]. Intends to send Smith a complimentary copy of his own new book ["Sketches of the progress of botany" (1790)].
Sends copies of his book ["Sketches of the Progress of Botany" (1790)] for Smith and Linnean Society.
Uncertainty of his coming to London. Declines opportunity to purchase Gaertner but will borrow it. Pleased to hear Smith intends to publish a new edition of "Systema vegetabilium", hopes it will be followed by a "Species plantarum". Had wished to see Lamarck's French "Flora" until seeing it was gone from the catalogue and following Smith's remarks on it.
Has heard from [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert in Ireland, where he is visiting his estate in [County] Mayo, transmits contents of his letter, including natural history finds. Directions for sending L'Héritier's "Cornus".
Praises Gaetner's book [De fructibus et seminibus plantarum (1788-1805)], but feels "somewhat repugnant" to any attempt of forming a system on his principles. Thanks for attempts of Smith and others for their praise of his book ["Sketches of the progress of botany" (1790)] but concedes it will be of interest only to curiosity of young botanists and men of general reading.
Requests remainder of L'Héritier's works as they appear in Britain though fears revolutions and politics of France will hinder the author. Requests copy of Gmelin's edition of "Systema naturae". Hopes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is not idle in Ireland. Surprised that [John] Lightfoot and others should have missed so many Scottish plants now published by [James] Dickson in his second fasciculus [of "Plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae" (1785-1801)]. Dr Patrick Browne has given Lambert a manuscript on Jamaican plants, suspects it is of little worth. Apologises for corresponding with Smith on "such unequal terms".
He has prepared a very large assortment of specimens of grasses for Smith, which he is sending with other items to Dr Russell. Transcribes extract from his letter to Russell requesting him to forward parcel to Smith. Asks Kindersley to explain to Smith the difficulties of making up such collections in countries without assistance and with poor botanical libraries.