John Stackhouse, Pendarves, Redruth, Cornwall, to James Edward Smith, Hammersmith, Middlesex

Summary

Did not see description of 'Herniaria glabra' in "English Botany" otherwise would not have sent his paper on it to the Linnean Society, has asked [Thomas] Woodward to procure it for his opinion. Advances in his microscopic investigation into the fructification of 'Fucus': believes it possible to construct a generic character incorporating most of 'Fucus' that will be analogous to Linnaeus' sexual system, except for the "vapour", which is substituted for pollen. Explains his method, wishes others could make similar investigations in different locations and describes [Thomas] Velley's contributions. Observations on '[Fucus] bifurcatus'. Relationship of his book ["Nereis Britannica"] with reviewers and the public, [William] Withering has recommended it to [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Asks if Smith has any specimens of or information on 'Fucus natans' as it was described in "Tour of the Continent", does not believe Linnaeus' claim that it is the "most common vegetable in the world". Would like to compare 'Fucus selaginoides' with 'Fucus tamariscifolius'.

Letter details

Record number

LINNEAN3332

From

John Stackhouse

To

Sir James Edward Smith

Date

3 Dec 1795

Sent from

Redruth, Cornwall

Sent to

Hammersmith, Middlesex

Source of text

GB-110/JES/COR/9/66, 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.