32
Asks Adanson for the name of the author writing on drying
of indigo leaves in India, of which
Adanson had sent to him an extract.
AD 161 BEGUILLET, [Edme] [Avocat et Notaire de Dijon], Dijon, 10–13 Avril 1769. 11 pp.
Discusses Familles des plantes and emphasizes the importance of Adanson’s Species plantarum
[AD 268]; asks when this will appear. Requests a list of the “phrases” of grape varieties.
Mentions the proposed new edition of Panckoucke’s Encyclopédie. Defends Linnaeus, without
being “Linnaeiste.”
Adanson’s draft of reply, dated Paris, 28 avril 1769, includes a harsh criticism of Linnaeus.
AD 162 BERLIERE,____, Trochereau de la, Feuillencourt prés Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 18 May
1784. 3 pp.
Advises Adanson that he was asked to write chronological outline of the history of botany for a
book to be printed in Orleans titled
Botanicon parisiense, and that much
of his material was
derived from Adanson. Asks whether Tournefort knew of sexuality in flowers. Invites Adanson
to visit him.
Annotated, “recu … le 21.” Adanson’s draft of a reply, dated 22 May 1784, states that
Tournefort did not know the sexuality of plants, though known to Theophrastus and much
publicized by modern authors. Hopes to visit him at Saint-Germain.
AD 163 BERLIERE,_____, Trochereau de la, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 26 Aoust 1786. 2 pp.
Informs Adanson of the visit in France of Chevalier de Boufflers, governor of Senegal. Asks for
a list of the most beautiful plants of Senegal.
Draft of reply dated 30 Aout 1786 is titled, Catalogue des plus belles plantes du Senegal, and
lists nine genera with Ouolof names [cf. p. 20] and Linnaean synonyms in the species. Reviews
some memories of Senegal experiences.
AD 164 BONNET, [Charles], Geneve, [written between 29 Sept. and 18 Dec. 1762]. 2 pp.
Writes of sending a copy of Considerations sur les corps organisés and asks for opinion on it.
Discusses other publications of allied interest. Written by an amanuensis, signed by him. In the
draft of reply, dated 19 Dec. 1762, Adanson states that he could not yet study the books.
Discusses his effort to propose Bonnet for associé etranger, but “Linn” had the majority of the
votes. Compares Bonnet and Linnaeus. Discusses leaf anatomy studies by Horace-Bénédict de
Saussure (1740–1799) and by Guettard.
AD 165 BONNET, [Charles], Genève [postmarked], [ca.1763]. 1 p. [a portion of a larger letter].
33
Discusses his failing eyesight and admonishes Adanson to care for his eyes. Reports he writes in
haste so that Adanson may reply quickly concerning Denmark. Sends a trinket in gratitude for
proofs received of unnamed Adanson paper.
No annotations except subject heading. The missing part could have related to the Denmark
proposal; this dates the fragment as about 1763. If so, the proofs referred to might be of
Familles
des plantes.
AD 166 BONNET, [Charles], Genthod près de Geneve, 23 Septembre 1769. 5 pp.
A reply to Adanson’s letter of 30 Juillet (no draft in this collection), criticizing Bonnet’s
“Palingenesie.” Defends himself, quotes in full a letter of Spallanzani of 11 Sept. 1769 on snail’s
head reproduction. Will treat Bomare more gently than Adanson did him, but was frank on his
Dictionnaire deficiencies. Asks Adanson to show this letter to B. de Jussieu. Signed:
“Palingénésiste.”
No reply, [cf. AD 167].
AD 167 BONNET, Charles, Genthod près de Genève, 3 Mai 1775. 8 pp.
A part of 1 leaf is missing. Asks why there is no correspondence since his last letter, and cannot
presume that it was offensive. Reports having cited Adanson in his paper “Sur la fécondation des
plantes” in Rozier’s Journal de Physique, Nat. Hist. Oct. 1774. Is amazed and awed by
Adanson’s plans for his Encyclopédie universelle [AD 8]. Advises him to publish his own
discoveries first.
Discusses examples of cereal grain longevity, ascribing it to some role of gelée organique
(protoplasm). Mentions that Spallanzani’s book on snail reproduction may be delayed. Supposes
Tremella to be more zoological than botanical. Signed: “le Palingénésiste.”
Annotated with subject headings. Draft of reply (incomplete) dated 20 Juillet 1775 discusses
Encyclopédie plans. Cites his belief that the number of species in all nature is 40,000, while
others [perhaps inferring Linnaeus] consider it to be 14,684. Reviews seed longevity based on his
wheat experiments concluding Bonnet’s findings to be exceptionally high. Reports negative
results on repetitions of Spallanzani’s snail experiments, and a loss of confidence in his work in
general. New Tremella studies convince him that their movements are not spontaneous.
AD 168 BONNET, [Charles], Genthod, 4 Fevrier 1780.
A reply to an Adanson letter not represented here. Advises him (1) to make more use of his shoes
than of his pen (noting that he preaches to an “indocile” who refuses to listen); (2) to publish
only that which he has totally mastered; and (3) to sleep enough. Reports that the first six
volumes of his Oeuvres will soon be received by Adanson; is working on the next. Mentions
Clason, Scottish philosopher, whom Adanson met during his visit in Genève.
AD 169 BONNET, [Charles], Genthod, 1 Septembre 1783. 3 pp.