From:
Christian Carl Lous
To:
Joseph Banks
Date:
1792-1793
Source of text:
MM/7/99, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Concedes Smith's claim that he is a lazy correspondent but has been away travelling in Italy. Saw [William] Thomson[(c 1760-1806), mineralogist and physician] in Florence, has decided to settle in Naples after discussion with Sir William Hamilton [(1731-1803) diplomat]. His garden is growing well, offers to send specimens. Complains that plants he received from the Songo firm in London have not flourished possibly due to lack of attention in transit. Recommends Smith contact the Loddigas nurseries for plants that cannot be obtained through friends. Requests seeds of 'Mimosa', 'Cassis', and 'Pinus juniperus', amongst others. Asks if [William] Aiton's "Hortus Kewensis" is worth purchasing to assist in laying out his greenhouse and to send it via Mr Aubert if so. Smith's books have been sent to Turin, Italy, to the required address.
Invites Smith to see her 'Amaryllis capensis' in flower; Crabb brought it from Holland as a bulb and neither Smith nor any other botanist have any knowledge of it, urged [James] Sowerby to draw it. She is very unwell and in addition to losing her domestic servants her favourite dog has died. Grass also ready for inspection by Smith.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Discusses his 'Hirudo' paper for "Linnean Transactions": has a third species of 'Hirudo' which is not like 'Hirudo stagnalis', asks Smith to correct his paper if necessary. Would like to see figures quoted by Linnaeus in the "Systema" as "Bergm. Act. Stock. 1756". Has named his three species 'Hirudo alba', 'Hirudo nigra', and 'Hirudo crenata'.
First part of 'Icones' published; criticism of Ortega.
Letter sent by Merlet de la Boulaye in Angers to Smith. Thanks for specimens and for election as F.M.L.S. ; death of Charnacé ; news.
Joy he receives from Smith's friendship. Presses Smith to visit. Anxious that Smith may not have received the seeds of 'Cerinthe perennis'. Glad his ideas on 'Trifolium alpestre' proved correct in "Linnean Transactions", further comments on [Adam] Afzelius' paper. 'Serapias' all a confusion for Smith. Cannot say anything on "pretended specific difference" of 'Gnaphalium sylvaticum', 'norvegicum' Retz, 'Crepis discoridis', interests him as much as 'Trifolium agaricum'. Comments on plants previously sent in various parcels.
Thanks Smith for his efforts in reconciling [William] Aiton to him. Answers Smith's queries on his health: does find fruit to be laxative, red wine makes him costive, and is most tormented with it in spring where 'Leontodon taraxacum' is eaten as they do other vegetables, stewed in butter or beef broth. Has not yet received anything from [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure [(1740-1799)]. Regarding Smith's proposal to name a genus after him would like Smith to do whatever he thinks best, but wishes he had completed his work before such an honour. Comments on 'Carex' no 11 of his parcel by Mandrot 1790.