Three labelled specimens: queried specimen of 'Carex teretiuscula', Anglesea, sent May; 'Carex distans', Anglesea, sent June; 'Carex laevigata', Anglesea, sent July. Probably specimens sent with letter JES/COR/4/16.
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The Linnean Society of London Collection
The scientific and personal correspondence of James Edward Smith (1759-1828), purchaser of the collections of Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) and founder of the Linnean Society of London in 1788, was presented to the Linnean Society between 1857 and 1872 by his widow Pleasance Smith (1773-1877). Since then, it has been complemented by additional series. The collection was catalogued, conserved, and digitised from 2010 to 2013, thanks to the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Letters can be searched through Ɛpsilon, with links to images and summaries available on the Linnean Society’s Online Collections (http://linnean-online.org/smith_correspondence.html).
Three labelled specimens: queried specimen of 'Carex teretiuscula', Anglesea, sent May; 'Carex distans', Anglesea, sent June; 'Carex laevigata', Anglesea, sent July. Probably specimens sent with letter JES/COR/4/16.
Numbered observations on enclosed specimens, requests Smith's opinion: 1. a 'Galium' [Smith annotation: "'G. veri' var?"]; 2. a 'Carex' [Smith annotation: "'recurva'"]; 3. a 'Euphorbia' [Smith annotation: "'portlandica'"]; 4. a 'Bryum'; 5. a 'Bryum', possibly 'B. elongatum' of [James] Dickson [Smith annotation: "yes"]; 6. a 'Stellaria' he has cultivated for 2 years [Smith annotation: "'scapigera'"]; 7. a 'Fistula' found growing among roots of 'Arundo arenaria' in 1796 [Smith annotation: "'rubra'"]; 8. supposed 'Torritus alpina', found with 'Carex' no.2.; 9. an 'Achillea' quite distinct from 'A. alpina'.
Lists habitats of species of 'Salix' he found in Scotland: 'Salix retusa', 'Salix reticulata', 'Salix lapponicum', 'Salix lanata', and 'Salix depressa'. Still has some unidentified willows.
Rages at ingratitude he has met with [no details of incident are provided]: wishes Smith would create a work on the plan of Baron Borne's "Monochologia" and call it "Causidicologica", from the "lowest blotter of paper to the director of a Royal Conscience", and would give Smith all the necessary assistance needed. Best accounts of his daughter's [Mariamne Johnes] health: thanks to [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] living in "such a consumptive latitude" he "sees it in all shapes" so they were alarmed in time and by following his advice she has recovered. Does not think she had any pulmonary disease but it might have developed, they went to Clifton [near Bristol] for treatment.
Thanks Smith for what he says of the naked barley but [Thomas William] Coke told him it was very unproductive. Asks if Smith knows of an American wheat which is six weeks earlier than the common sort, informed of by Mr Galton. His farm and garden doing "vastly well", especially the dairy, and next year intends to have 50 to 60 cows. His family rejoice at Weston's good fortune.