According to Linnaean sexual system, with headings "Monandria" and "Diandria".
[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]
Sketch drawings in ink and pencil of reproductive organs of 'Canna', 'Maranta', 'Thalia', 'Myrosma', 'Alpinia', 'Zingiber', 'Amomum', 'Costus', 'Kaempferia', 'Curcuma', 'Colebrookia', and 'Gen. nov. au. Bot.'. Labels for 'Phrynium' and 'Philydrum' but no drawings.
[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]
Observations: 'Hellenia' of Retzius and Willdenow appears to be 'Alpinia'; 'Renealmia' omitted, 'Renealmia exaltata' resembles 'Globba uviformis' and 'Renealmia' of Andrews Bot Rep are 'Alpinia'; 'Amomum' divided into 'Zingiber' and 'Amomum'; 'Amomum zedoaria' is a 'Curcuma'; 'Hornstedtia' of Willdenow to be considered; 'Alpinia comosa' of Willdenow is a 'Costus'; and 'Globba' to be further examined.
[Probably from Roscoe's working papers for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.." (1828)]
Greatly pleased to meet Corrêa today at [Robert] Brown's but unsure whether he intends to visit Smith at Norwich even though Corrêa is to stay much longer than he expected. Had a "stout tug" with Brown on 'Scitamineae', particularly 'Thalia', but could not decide whether [Edward] Rudge's plants should be united with 'Maranta', 'Thalia', or form a new genus; discusses the new genus, 'Calathea', formed from 'Maranta casupo' Jacquin "Fragmenta [botanica]" in [Georg Friedrich Wilhelm] Meyer's new "[Primitiae] florae Essequeboensis".
Informed by Fanny Blackwell that her mother, Mrs Blackwell, is kept alive only by use of blisters; doubts her recovery. Lady [Anne Margaret] Anson's [(1779-1843)] daughter, Georgiana, has very ill but past the worst. Thanks the Smiths for their hospitality at Norwich.
Sending letter via Benson Rathbone. Forthcoming publications: publishing a 48 volume collection of the Italian poets with Mr Valpy, the London printer, discusses his ideas for the series; writing a life of [Alexander] Pope [(1688-1744), poet] and publishing a new edition of Pope's works with an association of London booksellers, a considerable labour considering the continuing debate as to his moral and poetical characters; adding an additional volume to his "Life of Lorenzo"; and his "Holkham Catalogue" [of manuscripts in library of Thomas William Coke].
'Hedychium excelsum' has flowered and a new species of 'Roscoea' sent as a species of 'Orchis' about to flower [at Liverpool Botanic Garden]; proposes name 'speciosa' or 'lucida', further remarks on the plant. Has made additions to genus 'Canna' and drawn up synoptical table of 20 species, and similar for 'Hedychium' and 'Curcuma' [for his "Monandrian plants of the order Scitamineae.."]. Thanks Smith for "Correspondence of Linnaeus & other Naturalists". Smith's anecdote about identity of the peach and nectarine reminds him of a similar confusion at Liverpool Botanic Garden where an unknown plant was distributed as 'Hedychium flavum' until it dramatically increased in size the following year and turned out to be 'H. coronarium'; [Roscoe has made a sketch of the flower, in ink].
Apologises to Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley] for detaining his 'Scitamineae' figures for so long; has made copies.
Taking up Smith's proposal of his going direct from London to Holkham, [Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke], and visiting his friends at Norwich [Smith] and Yarmouth [Dawson Turner]. Publishing a vindication of himself. Failed to see Lord Mountnorris [George Annesley] at Sir George Cockburn's [10th baronet (1772-1853), naval commander]. Eager to finish his "wearisome task" in London; hopes it will answer purpose of showing [Jean Charles Léonard] de Sismondi [(1773-1842), historian and economist] in his "true light". Intends to finish his catalogue [of Holkham manuscripts] whilst there.
Delaying his visit to Smith in Norwich depending on whether [Dawson] Turner comes to visit him at Holkham [home of Thomas William Coke]. Lord and Lady Nugent [George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent (1788-1850)] and Lord and Lady William Bentinck [Lord William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck (1774–1839), army officer and diplomatist] are leaving, and death of Mrs Anson, mother of late Lord Anson, will curtail further invitations for time being. May have his catalogue of the Holkham manuscripts finished before he leaves. His happiness at time he spent at Holkham with Smith and Lady Smith.