Item data
Item Type:
Document
From:
Bradbury, John
Sent from:
Monticello, Virginia
To:
Smith, Sir James Edward
Summary:
Has previously written to Smith on an animal of the 'Physophora' genus. Staying at home of [Thomas] Jefferson [3rd President of USA] with Jefferson's son-in-law, [Thomas Mann] Randolph [Jr.], an "excellent naturalist". Has discovered at least two orchids not described in books following Smith's request to look into 'Orchidaceae', many species in America. Found two species of 'Helleborine' established but not described by [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, two new 'Cacalia' and a new 'Talinum'. Believes America will be rich in 'Cryptogramia'; 'Lichen Sepincola' is abundant on 'Pinus taeda'; also rich in 'Carex'. Leaving shortly to explore Louisiana as a "first Reaper" and will winter at Fort St Louis on the Mississippi with Captain Lewis, who was sent by President Jefferson to explore the Missouri and has discovered 20 new species of animal. Randolph cultivating 'Holcus sorghum', 'Sorghum vulgare' of Persoon, and 'Sesamum indicum' for oil.
Letter date:
12 Aug 1809
Languages:
English
Prev Ref No:
2.128
Additional Information:
| Note type | Note |
|---|
| Finding Aids | Dawson, 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 Material | For Constantine Samuel Rafinesque's introduction of Bradbury to Smith, see JES/COR/8/80. |
