Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin received, four days previously, Linnaeus’s undated answer (December 1762){L3169} to the letter of 23 October 1762{L3140}. He thanks Linnaeus for the promise to send Species plantarum, vol. 1, through Christian Friis Rottböll.
Jacquin is glad to report that the work on American plants (Jacquin refers to Selectarum stirpium Americanarum historia) is ready, and he will send it at once. However, he deeply regrets that mail communication is so poor between Vienna and Sweden. Something he had sent had been returned to him, and even the way through Rottböll seems uncertain. However, nothing more will be sent through Johan Frederik Gronovius on account of the delays before forwarding it. So, anyway, it will have to be Rottböll for the immediate future, and the next set will contain Austrian insects and various other things.
Jacquin thanks Linnaeus for information on insects and gives some reports on the existence of some of them in Austria.
Among other botanical details, Jacquin mentions that a reference to Flora Svecica, 2nd edition concerning a lichen, made by Linnaeus in a previous letter (December 1762){L3169}, did not tally with Jacquin’s copy. Is there another edition? Jacquin wonders what the explanation might be.
Jacquin asks for details on Quassia and promises to pay great attention this year to the development of leaves and flowers in as many tree species as possible.
Jacquin wants some information on Aristolochia trilobata: he offers Linnaeus a twig without flowers and asks Linnaeus for a copy of an illustration from Andreas Sigismund Marggraf, giving a picture of the flower.