Clas Alströmer opens the letter by telling Linnaeus about his Father’s [Jonas Alströmer] death and what this great loss would mean to him, in addition to all the sequel adverse practical effects. He doesnt know if he will continue his journey, maybe he has to return home as soon as possible, but that depends on his brothers [Patrick Alströmer and Johan Alströmer], if they will care for him.
Since his last letter [Alströmer to Linnaeus, 6 July 1761{L2931}] he has described Bufonia tenuifolia, that grows in abundance around Madrid. An extensive descricption of this plant follows.
NB. Stamens should be counted with a good microscope before the flower opens; otherwise the anthers will be missing and can not be counted with accuracy. Alströmer further states that when the blossoms are out, he has not been able to see any filament or anthers, and they have always been of different numbers. In non-opened flowers, however, he emphasizes that he has always found 4 stamens in all the many ones he has opened. Consequently, he does not trust in Pehr Löfling’s last observation, but opposes it strongly.
Alströmer has noted that the peasants collect Plumbago Europea. The water extract is said to be very effective on fleas, lice and bedbugs. The herb is also used to dye wool violet. Alströmer encloses a raceme handed to him by José Quér Quer y Martinez. He does not know what it is but believes together with Juan Minuart that it could possibly be Ochna jabotapitha.
Alströmer has frequently observed a tree — in Seville called Zapote — perhaps as it reminds of the American Achras zapote. He wants Linnaeus’s opinion based on the enclosed — probably rotten — twig. He knows from Antonio Ulloa’s journey in America that of female Cochenill, egg-laying in August, the eggs are gathered and saved until June next year for new production. He shall write to José Celestino Mutis about bringing them to Europe. Alströmer is preparing a new batch of herbs and seeds to be sent to Cadiz and forwarded to Linnaeus. Since José Ortega’s death there is not a trace of Löfling. Linnaeus says in his last letter that Daphne maximum is Thymelaea pontica folio Laurocerasi Tournef. cor. & Itin. [Alströmer refers to Joseph Pitton de Tournefort’s, Corollarium Institutionum rei herbariae and presumably also to Relation d’un voyage du Levant by the same author]. Alströmer does not understand that, as he has not sent or seen that plant.