James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk], to James Sowerby

• Main Author: Smith, Sir James Edward
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Archibald; Menzies; Betula nana
• Online Access: http://linnean-online.org/64727/; http://linnean-online.org/64727/1/JES-JS-10_001.tif; http://linnean-online.org/64727/2/JES-JS-10_002.tif; http://linnean-online.org/64727/5/JES-JS-10_003.tif; http://linnean-online.org/64727/7/JES-JS-10_004.tif

Sends parcel of poplar and alder specimens to sketch, including polar flowers; Sowerby may find the birch near London, and should draw 'Betula nana' from a garden; will send poplar leaves in June from the same trees. Pleased the 'Cyamus' seed was in such good order, what he found agrees with Gaertner's figure. Returns Mr Lewis' letter and scheme of classes, his ideas "sensible but not new". Intends to buy [George] Don's "fasiculi" ["Herb. Britannicum" (1804-1812) ?] through Sowerby, though "out of regard to him only" as there is nothing he wants. Approves of Sowerby's patterns for "Flora Graeca", though a correction is needed with colouring of 'Bromus'. Sowerby should use one or two of [Archibald] Menzies' species of 'Boronia', if they have retained their colour, for "Exotic botany", the rest to be engraved for Linnean Society. Does not think the patters for "Exotic botany" well coloured, except 'Diuris maculata'. Returns Sowerby's mineralogy manuscript. Sowerby's sketches from Don's specimens "excellent". [James] Crowe approves figure of 'Salix acuminata' in last "English botany"; he paid 6 guineas for Sowerby's microscope.