Henry Muhlenberg, [Lancaster, Pennsylvania], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, Norfolk

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Ref No GB-110/JES/COR/7/94
Title Henry Muhlenberg, [Lancaster, Pennsylvania], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, Norfolk
Letter date 21 Mar 1805
Author(s) Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg 1753-1815
Number of Pages 4

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GB-110/JES/COR/7/94 from Henry Muhlenberg, [Lancaster, Pennsylvania], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, Norfolk (21 March 1805)

Metadata for GB-110/JES/COR/7/94 from Henry Muhlenberg, [Lancaster, Pennsylvania], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, Norfolk (21 March 1805) Close

Item data

Item Type: Document
From: Muhlenberg, Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst
Sent from: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
To: Smith, Sir James Edward
Sent to location: Norwich, Norfolk
Summary:

Has not heard from Smith for a year but anxious for his observations. Has been assisted by [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow but doubtful whether "he has hit the Linnaean plant". Complains about how often Linnaeus is wrongly cited, even in [Jan Frederik] Gronovius' "Flora Virginica". Asks if there is anyone in London to compare American plants with herbarium of Gronovius and [John] Clayton, which is in London. Has asked a similar question in Paris of [André] Michaux's herbarium, whom he remarks neglected to keep Linnaeus' received names. List of queries from "Flora Virginica" by page, asks if "Linnean Transactions" might not answer these and similar queries for those "who live at a distance from the fountain". A second list of queries asking Smith to fix the names of some plants he previously sent. Asks permission to send another packet of plants, will send it with Mr Lyons, gardener at William Hamilton's "excellent botanical garden" near Philadelphia. Asks if Dawson Turner is still alive as Turner wanted 'Conferva' specimens. News of North American botanical publications: reviews Michaux's work ["Flora Boreali-Americana"]; Barton preparing a Flora of Pennsylvania and possibly neighbouring states; Brickel preparing a Flora Georgiana; himself compiling a description of indiginous Lancastrian plants but struggles with the cryptogamia class compounded by death of [Johann] Hedwig, anxious to see the relevant volume of "Flora Britannica". Gives brief descriptions of local species of 'Populus' to help Smith determine them.

Letter date: 21 Mar 1805
Languages: English
Prev Ref No: 7.164
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 MaterialGronovius, J F, and Clayton, J, (1739). "Flora Virginica exhibens plantas quas V. C. Johannes Clayton in Virginia observavit atque collegit. Easdem methodo sexuali disposuit, ad genera propria retulit, nominibus specificis insignivit, & minus cognitas descripsit Joh. Fred. Gronovius. Pars prima [& secunda]." Lugduni Batavorum: Apud Cornelium Haak. Michaux, A, (1803). "Flora Boreali-Americana, sistens caracteres plantarum quas in America septentrionali collegit et detexit Andreas Michaux..." Parisii: Levrault. Anno XI. Barton, W P C, (1815). "Florae Philadelphicae prodromus... or, Prodromus of the flora Philadelphica..." Philadelphia: [privately]. Muehlenberg, G H E, (1817). "Descriptio uberior Graminum et plantarum Calamariarum Americae septentrionalis indigenarum et cicurum. Auctore Henrico Muhlenberg." Philadelphia: Solomon. Smith, J E, (1800-1804). "Flora Britannica" London: Davis.