Francis Buchanan, Malola, to James Edward Smith

Item data

Ref No GB-110/JES/COR/2/132
Title Francis Buchanan, Malola, to James Edward Smith
Letter date 9 Jan 1808
Author(s) Francis Hamilton 1762-1829
Number of Pages 4

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GB-110/JES/COR/2/132 from Francis Buchanan, Malola, to James Edward Smith (9 January 1808)

Metadata for GB-110/JES/COR/2/132 from Francis Buchanan, Malola, to James Edward Smith (9 January 1808) Close

Item data

Item Type: Document
From: Hamilton, Francis
Sent from: Malola
To: Smith, Sir James Edward
Summary:

Has been investigating the Dinagepour [Dinajpur] district of India but has had very little botanical success due to the season being unfavourable although optimistic about spending the spring in the Assam region. Sends seeds of 'Ocimum sanctum' [Holy Basil] and a species which is probably the 'Ocimum gratissimum' of Linnaeus so as to allow Smith to clear up any doubts and the differences between these and the Sweet Basil.
Comments on "Babui Toolsee" [babui tulsi, Hindi] and seeds which give "fine nourishment", perplexed that the natives give preference to the other plant which has "nothing remarkable about it". States that the "Encycl. Method." names 'Ocimum basilicum' as the holy Toolsy [tulsi] of the Hindus but believes what he is sending is the real plant, which is cultivated, whilst the "Babui Toolsee" grows wild.

Letter date: 9 Jan 1808
Languages: English
Prev Ref No: 2.22
Additional Information:
Note typeNote
Finding AidsDawson, W R, (1934). "Catalogue of the manuscripts in the Library of The Linnean Society - Part I. The Smith papers: The correspondence and miscellaneous papers of Sir James Edward Smith", London: Linnean Society.
Related MaterialBuchanan, F, (1832). "A geographical, statistical, and historical description of the district [...] of Dinajpur, in [...] Bengal" Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press.
CopiesTranscript available from Linnean Society Library.