Item data
Item Type:
Document
From:
Gwyn, Nicholas
Sent from:
Ipswich, Suffolk
To:
Smith, Sir James Edward
Summary:
Discussion of origin of two similar Latin words, seemingly "caprina" and "capricon" following a figure from Smith of 'acapricon', concluding an error in copying, following review of "Geoponica" [10th century Byzantine agricultural compendium] and "Rei Rustica Scriptores" [collected Roman agricultural texts]. Points out a similar mistake in 'Menyanthes', first adopted from Theophrastus by [Christoph] Knauth [(1638-1694)] and followed by every botanist since, when the true Greek word is 'Minyanthes', accordingly asks Smith to correct page 177 of ["Philosophia botanica"]. Comments on Smith referring him to ["Critica Botanica"] encourages Smith to correct and improve the work of Linnaeus, considering that he is already willing to change work of any other. Sends second drawing of ''Tropaeolum palmatum foliis palmatis' by a lady who sent a drawing of 'Dianthus superbus' to [William] Curtis, said lady also saw Smith's figure of 'Acapricon' and believes the mistake was easy and repeated from "Flor. Ant." p.346. Comments on 'Tropaeolum perninum'. Thanks for present although 'Satyr. hirein.' was bruised by being thrown out of its basket. Jonas has put a specimen of dried 'Tropaeolum' into a box for Smith along with drawing of 'Diathus superbus'. Asks for copy of "Flora Lapponica". Asks why 'Conv. majalis' is from a German and Dutch name rather than "nada" the essential specific name. Asks Smith to view Ferrari "de Flor. Cultura" in reference to 'Fed. casius'. Asks Smith to procure 'Theophrastus' either "by Gaza, Stapel, Scaligen".
Letter date:
28 Nov 1791
Languages:
English
Prev Ref No:
5.54
Additional Information:
| Note type | Note |
|---|
| Additional | Smith replied 28 Dec [1791] |
| 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 | Linnaeus, C (1751). "Philosophia botanica in qua explicantur fundamenta botanica cum definitionibus partium, exemplis terminorum, observationibus rariorum, adjectis figuris aeneis." Stockholmiae: Apud Godofr. Kiesewetter.
Linnaeus, C (1737). "Critica botanica in qua nomina plantarum generica, specifica, & variantia examini subjiciuntur, selectiora confirmantur, indigna rejiciuntur; simulque doctrina circa denominationem plantarum traditur. Seu Fundamentorum botanicorum pars IV. Accedit Johannis Browallii de necessitate historiae naturalis discursus." Lugduni Batavorum: Apud Conradum Wishoff.
Linnaeus, C and Smith, J E (ed.), (1792). "Caroli Linnaei Flora Lapponica, exhibens plantas per Lapponiam crescentes, secundum systema sexuale, collectas in itinere." Londini: Impensis B.White et Filiorum.
Ferrari, G B, and Rottendorff, B, (1646). "Flora, sea de florum cultura Lib. IV. Editio nova curante Bernhi Rottendorffio ..." Amstelodami: Prostant Apud Joannem Janssonium. |
