Jacob Bigelow, Boston, Massachusetts, to James Edward Smith, London

Item data

Ref No GB-110/JES/COR/20/79
Title Jacob Bigelow, Boston, Massachusetts, to James Edward Smith, London
Letter date 18 Nov 1813
Author(s) Jacob Bigelow 1787-1879
Number of Pages 4

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GB-110/JES/COR/20/79 from Jacob Bigelow, Boston, Massachusetts, to James Edward Smith, London (18 November 1813)

Metadata for GB-110/JES/COR/20/79 from Jacob Bigelow, Boston, Massachusetts, to James Edward Smith, London (18 November 1813) Close

Item data

Item Type: Document
From: Bigelow, Jacob
Sent from: Boston, Massachusetts
To: Smith, Sir James Edward
Sent to location: London
Summary:

Writes on introduction of Corrêa. Necessity of European correspondence to supply defect of books during the present "imperfect state of science" in the USA; his sense of honour in having access to the "head sources of the science". Discusses botany of New England, little explored by European botanists; remarks that there are many small differences between American and European species, citing 'Salicornia herbacea', 'Callitriche aquatica', and 'Athusa cyanpium' of which he encloses seeds. Difficulty of exchanging specimens during the present war [War of 1812, conflict between USA and Britain 1812-1815]. Sends seeds of an 'Iris' and another unidentified plant; observations and small ink sketches of components. Printing an edition of Smith's "Introduction to Botany" for his students; not yet enough botanists in USA to induce booksellers to publish large works.

Letter date: 18 Nov 1813
Languages: English
Prev Ref No: 20.118
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 MaterialSmith, J E, Bigelow, J (ed.), (1814). "An Introduction to Physiological and Systematical Botany" Boston: Bradford.
Publn NoteSmith, P (ed.), (1832). "Memoir and correspondence of... Sir James Edward Smith" London: Longman, vol 2, pp.185-187.
AdditionalSmith replied 12 Jan 1815