From:
John Latham
To:
Peter Daval
Date:
11 December 1755
Source of text:
L&P/3/82, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
[Note: letter written to Robert Batty] Thanks for news of safe arrival of Linnaean collections; he had seen some of the books at Customs House whilst collecting a parcel of insects sent from St Petersburg. Sends his compliments to Smith and invites him to Dartmouth, and asks to view the Linnaean collections when possible, never thought it would "fall to the lot of an Englishman to possess" them.
[Smith has noted his reply:] invites Latham to see the collections.
Accepts invitation to see the Linnaean collections. Scarcely knows more than the outlines of botany, his interests being ornithology and entomology.
Returns borrowed book [unspecified].
Sending copies of his "Synopsis [of birds]" and "Index [ornithologicus]" for the Linnean Society.
Happy to hear his ornithological paper has been accepted by Linnean Society. Proposes Colonel [Thomas] Davies as FLS. Requests copies of lists and rules and orders [of Linnean Society].
Thanks for letter and "Linnean Transactions" vol 1. He has been working on 'Hyale' and 'Palaeno' and has distinguished the two "saffron butterflies", convinced the first is Linnaeus' 'Electra', gives character.
Notes and corrections on "Linnean Transactions", including [William] Markwick's paper [see RelatedMaterial below]. Death of Professor Lehnberg of Stockholm. Hopeful that reports of Dr [Anders] Sparrman's [(1748-1820)] death are groundless.
Encloses paper on Sawfish [see RelatedMaterial below]. Notes on the paper, asks Smith to make any necessary corrections. Sends specimens for inspection, to be returned.
Presents his compliments and leaves two drawings of 'Lithosperum caeruleo-purpureum' for Smith.
Recently sent specimens of 'Lithosperum caeruleo-purpureum', fears their quality will have diminished. Sketched map showing where he gathered it.
Pleased his response to Smith's enquiries about 'Lithospermum' was satisfactory. Prices for his "Synopsis of birds" and "Index [ornithologicus]".
Proposes Dr [Marcus Elieser] Bloch [(1723-1799), physician and naturalist], of Berlin, with whom he has been in correspondence, as a FMLS. Recommends Bloch's work on fish [see RelatedMaterial below]. Bloch has invited him to become member of the Societé des Scrutateurs de la Nature at Berlin. Intends to send him "Linnean Transactions", requests copies of first and second volumes, so as to also send to Dr Walther of Erlang.
Transcribes supporting statement made by Dr Godfry Christian Reich of Erlangen in support of his FMLS application, in which he offers to translate Smith's "Tour of the Continent" into German. Requests Smith's opinion and response. Recommends [Johan Christian] Fabricius' "Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta".
Has recommended Dr Godfry Christian Reich as a FMLS. Dr Meyer requested to publish a new [German] edition of his "Index [Ornithologicus]", which he declined; believes Reich will be a capable translator of Smith's "Tour of the continent". Will write for copy of [Johan Christian] Fabricius' last work for Smith from his German contact. Intends to send Recih copies of "Linnean Transactions" and Smith's "Tour".
Encloses book for Smith [unspecified but probably Fabricius' "Entomologia systematica"], though disappointed to find it contains only half the "Lepidepture", the other in a forthcoming volume. Advocates proposal to make [Thomas] Pennant an Honorary Member of the Linnean Society.
No longer needs copies of "Linnean Transactions" vols 1 and 2 for Dr [Marcus Elieser] Bloch [(1723-1799), physician and naturalist], but requests copy of vol 2 for [Godfry Christian] Reich. Elected member of Societé des Scrutateurs de la Nature de Berlin. Will request shells from Boys.
Received letter from Dr Bechstein with copy of his German translation of his [Latham's] "General synopsis" and request for copy of "Index [ornithologicus]" for translation, with which he will comply. Dr [Godfry Christian] Reich sending natural history dissertations, including on 'Lichen islandicus' and . Requests specimen of 'Trochus imperialis' for friend of Reich's, who is willing to offer £4 for it, as well as 'Trochus cookii', 'Bulla vulva', [James] Dickson's "Hortus siccus britannicus", and plants from Smith's "Spicilegium botanicum". His acquaintance with German naturalists.
Arrangements for sending items to Dr [Godfry Christian] Reich. Requests Dr [Marcus Elieser] Bloch's [(1723-1799), physician and naturalist] FMLS certificate as soon as he is elected, so as to send it. Just received news of illness of [Anders] Sparrman [(1748-1820)].