Answers CB's question on the equation. Hopes to see him in London shortly. Chemical experiments.
Showing 61–80 of 141 items
Answers CB's question on the equation. Hopes to see him in London shortly. Chemical experiments.
Delighted that JH proposes to use William Herschel's 20-foot telescope.
Some additions to an article submitted about hyposulfurous acid; comments on work by J. B. Biot on polarization and double refraction of crystals.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Has brought letters of [Peter] Collinson [(1694-1768)] and [Johann] Dillenius to Linnaeus for Nichols' inspection; approves of plan for making a separate publication of scientific letters. Hopes Nichols will be able to procure Miss Currer's [John] Ray letters. Uncertain how long he will remain in London, "the town air is always poison to me".
Received Smith's letter of 16 September 1818. Parcel of plants for Smith sent via Captain Craigie of the Hadlow. Plans to send specimens of 'Aeginetia indica' and his own 'Aeginetia pedunculata' ([William] Roxburgh's 'Orobanche'). Will send 'Orchideae', including those described by Smith in Rees' "Cyclopedia", such as 'Neottia tortillis' and 'Neottia procera'; some 'Stelides'; and from Smith's "Exotic Botany" 'Epidendrum praecox', 'Epidendrum humile', and 'Orchis gigantea'. Will also send ferns, a parcel of them already sent to [William Jackson] Hooker. Requests Smith to send duplicates of parcels to Sir Joseph Banks, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, and [Edward] Rudge.
Observations and queries on the specimens sent with Captain Craigie, some have been annotated by Smith in pencil, plants include: 'Rubia cordifolia' or 'Rubia mungista'; 'Rubia alata'; 'Galium elegans'; 'Galium asplenifolium'; 'Hedyotis gracilis'; 'Daphne gardneri'; 'Gaultheria fragrantissima'; 'Rhododendron arboreum'; 'Cornus oblongifolia'; 'Berbersi pinnata'; 'Primula denticulata'; 'Paris polyphylla'; 'Pinus longifolia'; 'Triumfetta oblonga'; 'Ajuga hyoscyami'; 'Epidendum praecox'; 'Acrostichum flagelliferum'; 'Stellaria triandra'; 'Tacca palmata'; 'Hoya viridiflora'; 'Fraxinus floribunda'; 'Ligustrum napalense' or 'Ligustrum japonicum'; 'Buddleia paniculata'; 'Teucrium macrostachyum'; 'Jasminum dispermum'; 'Juglans pterococca'; 'Ulmus virgata'; 'Clematis smilacifolia'; 'Andromeda ovalifolia'; 'Ormosia dasycarpa'; 'Combretum costatum'; and 'Quercus spicata' [this is a very long list of plants, only those plants present in the Smith herbarium are listed here, with some exceptions].
Smith has noted on the reverse of this letter that he sent Wallich "Compendium Florae Britannicae".
Extensive account of "the various combinations" that within the last year have "conspired to subdue the happiness" of [Francis] Boott, in large part due to the actions of a fraudulent family agent, entailing significant financial losses, and disappointment of his family in America.
No summary available.
Account of his time in London, including: trip to Eltham with Captain Sandham to try and find Sherard's tomb and remains of his garden; Sandham says James Munro died of failure in nervous constitution, saw his tomb at Greenwich; visited Deptford old church to see monuments of the Evelyns and Sir Richard Browne; called on Dr Baillie, who commended his looks, expects Smith to be on his prescription for a long time, Smith's bowel complaints and treatment; calls on or news of Mrs [Catherine] Lambert, Mrs Lochee, Mr Fuller Farr.
A meeting at Longman's, who declined purchasing copyright of his manuscript and suggested shares of the first edition; they promise to push his pamphlet [probably "A defence of the Church and Universities of England" (1819)]. Is to visit the Lamberts at Boyton, [Wiltshire], possibly followed by visits to Spring Grove, [Isleworth, Middlesex, home of Sir Joseph Banks], and Hall Place, [Berkshire, home of Sir William East]. Death of Mrs Fisher, née Clay, 4 years ago. Longman very keen for Smith to write a "Dictionary of Botany" and greatly approve of "English Flora", but he has to borrow £100-£200 whilst these are writing.
Sends coloured drawing [extant] of what he believes to be an undescribed 'Syngnathus' after having consulted [Johann Friedrich] Gmemlin's [(1748-1804) naturalist] "Systema Naturae". Proposes to name it 'Syngnathus pentagonus', detailed description follows. Has recently suffered from a severe recurrence of his hematuria.
Coloured drawing of two fish, labelled "'Gasterosteus spinnachia' Linn., 15-spined Stickle-back of Pennant" by Smith and 'Syngnathus pentagonus' by Davies.
Requests arrangements for JH's visit before and for Cambridge commencement. Asks whether JW would like to renew correspondence with James Grahame, and congratulates on JW's theological book.
Has not heard from him lately, though he wrote last year from Rome and gave him a resume of his travels. William Crackanthorpe is a good companion. The pavilion is being rapidly built. Would like JH to accept hospitality at his house. Gives news of friends.
Mineral apophyllite [Argentine spar]. Offers gems and minerals from India for JH's experiments. David Brewster's papers raise questions about polarized light. Describes microscope SY found.
Learned that JH has been ill since returning from Slough. Please visit soon.
Sent JH's paper on mother-of-pearl and paper on hyposulfurous acid to David Brewster. Tell Brewster of JH's discovery of optical structure in crystals of bicarbonate of potash. Would Brewster accept paper from JH enlarging the definition of crystals?
Wishing CB success in his efforts to obtain the position of professor at Edinburgh. Relates details of his recent experiments with bicarbonate of potash.
Sends a grass for determination, which he thinks 'Aria caespitosa' [Smith has annotated "yes" in margin]; gathered it from Ben Lomond in 1812.
Received Smith's letter of 16 September, pleased he is "assisting the cause of Botany in Liverpool" [establishment of botanic garden] and hopes to see some of [Nathaniel] Wallich's Nepalese plants there. Wallich "works like a horse" dispatching plants from Calcutta Botanic Garden around the world. Hopes to return to England in 1821. His studies have focused on zoology rather than botany, receiving specimens from Nepal through Wallich's intercourse, the country is rich in 'Phasianus'. Has a "fine Alligator's head for the Society", 'Crocodilus' of [George] Shaw, and a 'Gangeticus' [gharial], figures in Shaw ["General Zoology"?] are "wretched". Pleased Smith has grown a 'Rhododendron' from the seeds he sent, would like the credit of introducing the first Indian species to England, "they do not thrive in the moist air of Bengal". Has requested latest volumes of "Linnean Transactions" and "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society" from [William George] Maton.
Is anxious to receive his article on hyposulfurous acid as the volume is almost ready for the printer.