WCP1450

Broadstone, Dorset, Wimborne

March 3rd 1907

To W.B. Hemsley¹ Esq.

Dear Mr Hemsley I find in Spruce's² "Journals"³ very frequent references to plants by their native names only, and I am quite unable to trace their botanical names. Others are referred to their genus, but followed by — "same as Rio Negro sp.", or — "allied to Orinoco sp." —and if, with such trouble, I find such genus in his MSS. register⁴ of the species he gathered, as often as not the specific name is not entered — while in many cases no generic name is given. It has occurred to me that perhaps you have made, for your own use in the herbarium, a complete list of Spruce's plants, with his numbers, specific names (when given), native names and localities. This would be an immense help to me in trying to render the work I am doing of as much use to botanists, and future botanical travellers, as possible, and if such cataloges exists I should much like Miss Barnett⁵ to make a copy of it for me.

Such a cat[alogue] would also save me many errors both in identification and in spelling as Spruce's notes are full of contractions besides being often faintly and minutely written in pencil.

Also, do you know if any botanist has given an account of the total botanical results of Spruce's S. American collections, as compared with those of other botanicial travellers of eminence?

I see that in his four volumes of MSS. registers & descriptions of his plants the numbers of fl. plants and ferns runs up to 6580. Do you know if Mr. Bentham⁶(or Prof. Oliver⁷) consider that this number is an — under or over estimate? Also did Mr. Bentham describe all the new species, or only group them into their genera before sending out the sets? I shall be much obliged for any information on these various points you can give me.

I may add that, Mr Slater⁸, (Spruce's executor) informs me that he will present all Spruce's MSS. volumes of descriptions etc to Kew — as well as his journals, if they will be acceptable.

Believe me yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace.

Broadstone, Dorset, Wimborne

March 3rd 1907

To W.B. Hemsley¹ Esq.

Dear Mr Hemsley I find in Spruce's² "Journals"³ very frequent references to plants by their native names only, and I am quite unable to trace their botanical names. Others are referred to their genus, but followed by — "same as Rio Negro sp.", or — "allied to Orinoco sp." —and if, with such trouble, I find such genus in his MSS. register⁴ of the species he gathered, as often as not the specific name is not entered — while in many cases no generic name is given. It has occurred to me that perhaps you have made, for your own use in the herbarium, a complete list of Spruce's plants, with his numbers, specific names (when given), native names and localities. This would be an immense help to me in trying to render the work I am doing of as much use to botanists, and future botanical travellers, as possible, and if such catalogues exists I should much like Miss Barnett⁵ to make a copy of it for me.

Such a cat[alogue] would also save me many errors both in identification and in spelling as Spruce's notes are full of contractions besides being often faintly and minutely written in pencil.

Also, do you know if any botanist has given an account of the total botanical results of Spruce's S. American collections, as compared with those of other botanicial travellers of eminence?

I see that in his four volumes of MSS. registers & descriptions of his plants the numbers of fl. plants and ferns runs up to 6580. Do you know if Mr. Bentham⁶(or Prof. Oliver)⁷ consider that this number is an — under or over estimate? Also did Mr. Bentham describe all the new species, or only group them into their genera before sending out the sets? I shall be much obliged for any information on these various points you can give me.

I may add that, Mr Slater,⁸ (Spruce's executor) informs me that he will present all Spruce's MSS. volumes of descriptions etc to Kew — as well as his journals, if they will be acceptable.

Believe me yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace.