James Beattie, Aberdeen, to James Edward Smith

Summary

Thanks Smith for letters and offer of admitance to the Linnean Society, plans to visit London in 1800. Due to the slow progress of his botanical pursuits some of his discoveries have been anticipated by [James] Dickson and others. Researches have been confined to Aberdeenshire, Mearnshire and Angushire but this includes the greater part of the "Flora Scotica", rich in 'Gramina' and 'Carices' ['Carex']. Has an almost complete collection of Scottish grasses but had trouble with 'Carex'. Anticipates publication of [Samuel] Goodenough's "Monographia" [unidentified]. Anticipates publication of "Flora Britannica" and the positive effect it will have on the difficult parts of British botany. Praises "Linnean Transactions". Has sent specimens for comment of most of his 'Carices' including a 'Festuca duriuscula' or 'Festuca rubra'. Having compared inland and maritime specimens of 'Silene marita' argues that it belongs in its old genus 'Cucubalus'.

Letter details

Record number

LINNEAN1737

From

James Beattie

To

Sir James Edward Smith

Date

14 Aug 1799

Sent from

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

Source of text

GB-110/JES/COR/2/15, 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.

• James Beattie
• Sir James Edward Smith