Linnaeus asks for the names of two plants grown from seeds received and kept in the warm greenhouse. Linnaeus has no idea what they are; leaves are described and enclosed, but there are no flowers. – Many other seeds grow well, and they are named.
Linnaeus is sorry he can not see in real life the numerous rare and beautiful plants that Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin describes. He is even doubtful they will ever be properly published.
Linnaeus has given special attention to Asclepiades this summer.
Linnaeus has asked a bookseller for a corrected edition of Albrecht von Haller’s Synopsis Helvetica [Linnaeus refers to the new edition of Enumeratio methodica stirpium Helvetiae indigenarum, the Enumeratio stirpium quae in Helvetia rariores proveniunt], but without result, so he asks Jacquin for information.
Giovanni Antonio Scopoli’s work [Linnaeus refers to Flora Carniolica], is still on its way to Linnaeus. – Linnaeus wishes that Wilhelm Heinrich Kramer could get the vacant position of professor of botany in St Petersburg; he would do well there, and he is worth the job.
Volkameria mitis is flowering in the garden after ten years. Other East Indian plants have grown there for a long time but still do not flower.
Three seeds are enclosed, which Jacquin should plant at the beginning of spring; the plants will be perennial in Vienna.
A letter for Scopoli is attached.
[2004-07-11]