James Edward Smith, Chelsea, [London], to Thomas Jenkinson Woodward, Bungay, [Suffolk]

Summary

Confirms that Woodward's specimen of 'Orobanche' is Linnaeus' 'O. ramosa'. Cannot currently procure any of the plants Woodward requested and Leers' "Flora" not currently available in London. Returns the two 'Potamogeton' specimens with notes. 'Alopecurus ventricosus' of [William] Hudson is 'Milium lendigerum' Linnaeus; no specimen in Linnaean herbarium, but a specimen of same called 'Agrostis australis'; 'M. lendigerum' should be erased from Linnaeus' works. Comments on Woodward's specimens by comparison with Linnaeus, and other plants', including: 'Bromus secalinus', 'B. arvensis', 'B. erectus' of Hudson cannot be 'B. racemosus' of Linnaeus, has the specimen of 'Festuca avenacea' sent by Hudson to Linnaeus, 'Festuca repens', 'Carex limosa', 'Brassica muralis' is 'Sisymbrium catholicum', sends seeds of true 'Sisymbrium murale' from Chelsea [Physic] Garden.

Lately found history of his Chinese books and carved rhinoceros' horn in ["Amoenitates academicae"] vol 4. Glad Woodward likes the 'Oleum cajeput' but recommends camphor for cabinets. Not leaving for his tour of Europe until after seeing Sir Joseph Banks.

Letter details

Record number

LINNEAN1460

From

Sir James Edward Smith

To

Thomas Jenkinson Woodward

Date

24 Oct 1785

Sent from

London

Sent to

Bungay, Suffolk

Source of text

GB-110/JES/COR/18/23, The Linnean Society of London

Language

English

Contributor

The Linnean Society of London[View Ɛpsilon collection]

Also published in The Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith, The Linnean Society's Archive Catalogue.

• Sir James Edward Smith
• Thomas Jenkinson Woodward