Requests to borrow the first volume of Smith's "the Lives of the Poets" to use as an example to her youngest son.
Requests to borrow the first volume of Smith's "the Lives of the Poets" to use as an example to her youngest son.
Sends 'Carex halleriana', 'Rosa alpina', and a new species of 'Origanum' for Smith's opinion. Concerned at Smith's impending absence and shall look upon it as a year's loss to "our infant [Linnean] Society". Hopes Smith will give [Thomas] Marsham his opinion of best way in making the Society known in a "proper and respectable manner". Recommends preparing the papers already submitted so that it may be known how earnest they are to communicate findings; acquire drawings of plants and insects for which no good picture exists; to publish new new and dubious species such as 'Astragalus arenarius', 'Athamanta oreoselinum'; indexes to old botanical books; and partial floras. Requests to borrow [Richard] Brown's "Prosodia Pharmacopceorum" for a few days.
Asks Smith to determine arrangements for Linnean Society dinner and meeting. His opinion of prospective members, including: [John] Lightfoot, Macie, and Forsyth. [John] Latham joined immediately, and Dr John Sims has also joined.
[Jones, 4 pp] Observations on figures of 'Papilio' of Linnaeus and Fabricius, in case Smith attempts a new edition of "Systema Naturae".
[Smith, 6 pp] notes on drawings of various 'Papilio' and 'Phalaena' species.
Shall call on Smith on the first "fair Friday", otherwise invites Smith to visit him.
Various subjects.
"Sherardia foetida".
Thanks Smith for executing business commissions in London and gives instructions for further arrangements with Mr Elmesly, bookseller. Believes that it is only through Smith that the public can expect a good reprinting of the "Systema Vegatabilium". Requests "American seeds", will send seeds from the Alps in return.
Encloses copy of rules [of the Linnean Society], as settled at Smith's house; most members agree. Asks Smith for names of other possible members, including [William] Hudson, [John] Lightfoot, and [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert.
This letter is from two correspondents.
[L'Abbé de Ramatuelle writes:] Is studying trees of Europe; asks Smith to send boughs of all species of Engish trees packed in moss; other demands.
[D'Autie writes:] confirms the Abbé's requisitions.
Thanks for plants, the unnamed one is 'Ophrys loselii'; asks if it is the same as 'O. paludosa' in "Flora Danica". [William] Hudson doubts if 'Aquilegia alpina' is different from 'A. vulgaris'. Declines Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough's invitation to join Linnean Society on basis that he has nothing to write about; he has no botanical pretensions, other than to know the British plants and specifically those intended by [John] Ray. Has the real 'Malva parviflora' of Linnaeus, found by Hudson in Devon. Remarks on prolific accenting errors in [William Withering's] "Botanical arrangement".
A new edition of the "Systema naturae".
Discrepancies between 'Carex' listed in [John] Ray's "Historia plantarum" and "Synopsis"; surprised 'Carex caepitosa' is not in the "History", other 'Carex' anomalies. Asks Smith to remember 'Aconitum napellus' and 'Cammarum'. Disputes [Thomas] Woodward's statement that 'Arenaria verna' is probably not indigenous. Requests specimen of 'Conferva corallinoides' from [Samuel] Goodenough. Remarks on his 'Fucus multifidus'. Asks if Smith has seen Mr Rigby's treatise on sugar.
Will send plants Smith has requested through Mr Malanotte, plus any other plants desired from "Flora Pedemontana", for a stated price. Prevented from publishing fascicules by conditions in the "Clinica", but with [Carlo] Allioni's consent will publish "Nomenclatura Stirpium Pedemontana", and asks Smith to check new plants against Linnaeus's herbarium. Requests rules of Linnean Society following his election as a correspondening member. Asks for a selection of exotic seeds for two amateur botanist friends of his, a complete series of lichens and seeds of 'Rheum rhabarbarum', 'Rheum palmatum', 'Rheum ribes', 'Rheum tataricum' and 'Rheum hybridum'. The Agrarian Society he is a member of has been appointed a Royal Society by the King. Has received the specimen of 'Lichen cucullatus' Smith found at Mont Cenis, Savoy, but believes it may be 'Lichen rivularis'.
Thanks for Smith's letter and parcel of specimens, including 'Ophryis loeselii' and two other 'Orchideae'; sent it on to [John] Pitchford, who lectured him for making a joke about Lent; thanks for Retz and Bulliard works. Received Hedwig's work on mosses; his opinion. Requests Smith's opinion of variety of 'Carex panicea' in the parcel from Robinson's. Requests Smith's notes on 'Lycoperdon', particularly 'L. pistillace'; still thinks 'carpobolus' is distinct from 'Lycoperdon' and that [James] Dickson's 'Mucor urceolatus' and this should form new genus under 'Carpobolus'.
Anticipates Smith's "Introductory discourse" [to Linnean Society]; wonders whether to write on 'Lycoperdon' to correct [Charles] Bryant's [(d 1799)] mistakes. Mrs Woodward thanks Smith for the "holy chaplet". [James] Crowe has estranged himself over the election. Attempts to acquire 'Fucus' specimens.
[In postscript on recto of second folio] asks whether 'Astragalus arenarius' of [William] Hudson is 'A. epiglottis' of Linnaeus; observations.
Asks for Indian plants; wishes to correspond with Banks; La Billardière to visit Taurus Mts.; sends Pistachia terebinthus.
Introduces [Edmund] Davall.
Enquires after Dr Savage and Lord Verney. Hopes that Smith has received the parcel he sent; as settlement of the debt will accept any small item for his "infant Musuem". Glad Smith is enjoying the company of Baron de la Tourbie, has heard a report that he wishes to marry the Prime Minister's daughter in order to get in the diplomatic body. News of mutual friends: Ippolito [Durazzo's] wife shall give birth soon; believes [William] Batt [(1744-1812) physician and chemist] shall settle in Genoa.
Natural History Society formed in Paris, sends names of members.
Translating Pulteney's work on Linnaeus and adding a supplement of vindication.