William Kirby, Barham, [Suffolk], to James Edward Smith, 12 Great Marlborough Street, Oxford Road, [London]

Summary

Sends his 'Hirudo' paper for publication in "Linnean Transactions". His 'Hirudo nigra' same as the 'Hirudo complanata' in [George] Shaw's 'Hirudo viridis' paper, believes this 'H. complanata' is not the same as Linnaeus' and asks Smith to show Shaw the paper for his judgement. States that his three species are "not good 'Hirudines', if we [...] stick to the Linnaean definitions".

[Nicholas] Gwyn informed him of Smith's introduction to the King and Queen [George III (1738-1820) and Charlotte (1744-1818)], hopes it proves useful. Is collecting insects not described by Linnaeus to send to Smith. Asks if [James] Sowerby's drawing of the leeches included 'Hirudo nigra'. Requests copies of Smith's "Spicilegium" for himself, and a copy of this and Sir William Jones' "Tract on the legal method of suppressing riots" for Gwyn.

Letter details

Record number

LINNEAN2960

From

William Kirby

To

Sir James Edward Smith

Date

5 Apr 1792

Sent from

Barham, Suffolk

Sent to

London

Source of text

GB-110/JES/COR/6/3, 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
• William Kirby