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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).
Remarks on death of Bishop of Durham [Shute Barrington]: reread Smith's Dedication to him several times, his second wife [Jane Barrington] thinks it remarkable he underwent a lithotomy operation at thirteen years old. Will be in London for Horticultural Society and Linnean Club meetings.
Sending specimens of living 'Salix borreri', collected by [William] Borrer in Bredalbane, [Perthshire]. Invites Smiths to stay at Hale End, so they can attend Linnean Society [anniversary meeting] together. Received paper from [Henry Thomas] Colebrooke [(1765-1837), botanist] on the Quinary divisions, unsure if he was serious or hoaxing them. Concerned that the Society will never be able to accomplish rotation of chair by the vice-presidents.
[Smith noted his reply in corner of verso of first folio]: replied by telegraph will be with Forster on 1 May.
Continues account of the vegetation of Corfu. Has only explored the environs of the city, but told of "extraordinary" plants in the remoter parts of the island by director of the botanic gardens, including: 'Echium giganteum'; 'Othonna pectinata' and another 'Othonna'; 'Osteospermum piliferum' and 'Osteospermum moniliferum'; 'Nolana prostrata'; 'Chrysocoma coma-aurea'; and a yellow climber, either 'Dolichos' or 'Crotalaria'.
His discoveries: characters of two new 'Euphorbia' resembling 'Euphorbia peplus' and 'Euphorbia exigua'; and found a large white-flowered 'Lithospermum'; 'Stachys spinulosa ?' with white flowers; 'Veronica syriaca'; 'Phleum felinum ?'; 'Convolvulus tenissimus'; 'Crambe corvini' (not in "Prodromus [Florae Graecae]"); 'Lotus tetragonolobus'; 'Lathyrus setifolius'; 'Bunias erucago'; 'Ornithopus scorpioides'; 'Andropogon distachyon'; 'Aristolochia rotunda'; 'Allium subhirsutum'; 'Urospermum picroides'; 'Hesperis verna'; 'Rhagadiolus stellatus'; 'Polypodium leptophyllum ?'; 'Anthyllis tetraphylla'; 'Euphorbia amygdaloides', abundant (not in "Prodromus [Florae Graecae]"); a 'Geranium' with large flesh-coloured flowers; 'Vicca bithynica'; 'Coronilla securidaca'; etc. About to visit island of Santa Maura, the ancient Leucadia.
Pleased Smith will be coming on 1 May, arrangements for the visit. Sorry the box was not sent before 'Salix borreriana' spoiled.
Apologises for not writing but he has been ill since Christmas with a swelling in his knees which prevented him from walking and a suppresion of urine. Recovering very slowly after treatment from [William George] Maton and [Thomas] Copeland [(1781-1855), surgeon].