Correspondence of Asa Gray and G. W. Clinton
Edited by P. M. Eckel
Res Botanica
Missouri Botanical Garden
October 13, 2005
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The Correspondence of

Asa Gray (1810-1888) and

George William Clinton (1807‑1885)

 

1868-1869

 


 

Vol. 5 (65) [B 164]

 

Cambridge, Feb. 4, 1868

 

My dear Clinton,

 

Only pure want of time to read it prevented my prompt thanks for your very kind and entertaining New Years letter, on the part of my wife (who always enjoys your letters) and my self.

 

Benth. & Hook., are hurrying up next part of Gen. Pl. Hooker is at the Rubiaceae, & Bentham will soon tackle the Compositae ‑ having done the Australian ones.

 

I found fault about their doings with Punica, but Hooker insists he is right ‑ and that it has not the dotted outer leaves of Myrtacea, which is, probably more comfortable without this genus

 

As to "so‑called natural arrangement being arbitrary" ‑ of course it is. Man [cranes?] & pushes & fits & mutilates by severing here & there to get arbitrary limits where Nature has left none. She goes by transitions, and Darwin is her prophet!

 

Hervey lives at New Bedford ‑ is Cashier of a bank there: but could not find his Aster again last year ‑ which makes me regret I ever meddled with it.

 

I am hastily preparing for the immediate re‑impression of an ed. of Manual ‑ with little corrections all through (more than half typographical and 4 solid pages of addenda!

 

Psilactis near Aster.

 

How came you by it?

 

Haploesthes, near Senecio Dimorpholepis, in Gnaphalineae. Bentham in Fl. Australia ‑ the naughty man ‑ reduces my genus to Helipterum DC. (Helipterum dimorpholepis, Benth.) Pumilio. Compositae ‑ Gnaphalineae, Benth. again reduces this to Rutidosis. An awful fellow this Bentham.

 

Genus paper ‑ no you don't. It cost me an awful wear & tear to get the last & I was not satisfied with that. I can't get it made without an order of say 20 reams.

 

Find in paper ware‑house some large‑sheet heavy manilla ‑ & get it cut down. Next time I need (and that will be next summer) I shall go to bleached Manilla and add color to match ‑ but that now costs 27 cs. per lb.

 

I am at White Herbm. paper now, of which I have an order out for self & others for 100 reams. 18 lb. the ream at 27 cents the lb. I can spare you what you need of that ‑ up to 8 or 10 reams. Do you want any? Or if you want more could ‑ for a few days yet ‑ extend my order.

 

I am suffering from ague in face &c,  Mrs. Gray sends best regards

 

Ever

 

A. Gray

 

Recd. Feb. 6

 

 

In Vol. 1 of Genera Plantarum, under Myrtaceae p. 691, the leaves are "semper glandulis resinosis pellucidisve punctata", that is, always with leaves that are dotted with resinous or pellucid glandules. Dimorphlepis, A. Gray in Hook. Kew Journ. iv. 227 was indeed lumped with Helipterum in Vol. 2 (Compositae), with one species in Australia (of Dimorpholepis). Haploesthes A. Gray, Pl. Fendl. p. 109 was treated also in Volume 2 (p. 441). with one species from Mexico, "Genus foliis et involucro in tribu parum anomalum, melius tamen inter Senecionideae quam in ulla alia collocatum videtur." Rutidosis was a genus in the Compositae under which Pumilo, Schlecht. was placed. Gray published on it in Hook. Kew Journ. iv. p. 226, perhaps lumped in Benth. Fl. Austral. iii. p. 593. In Turidosis there are seven species in Australia .

 

Clinton began a correspondence with Hervey regarding his specimens and received the following set of letters throughout the remainder of the year (1868):

 


 

 

 

Vol. 5 (108) [B 120] [on printed stationary: Mechanics National Bank. Organized 1864. Capital $600,000, T. Mandell, Prest. E. W. Hervey, Cashier, J. W. Hervey, Asst. Cashier, New Bedford, Mass.]

 

April 16, 1868

 

G. W. Clinton, Esq.

 

Dear Sir:

 

Yours of 14th inst recieved. I disposed of all my spare specimens of A. Herveyi to Prof. A. Gray, but hope to find some more the coming season.

 

I thank you for the offer to assist me in my herbarium and may wish to avail myself of the privilege.

 

My banking business however takes so much of my time that I do not give as much attention to Botany as formerly

 

Very truly

 

E. W. Hervey

 

Recd April 18

 

Aster herveyi is designated a "n. sp." in Gray's 5th edition p. 229 from "Borders of oak woods, in rather moist soil, New Bedford, Mass., E. W. Hervey. Sept. - an ambiguous member, and the smallest-flowered, of the section." i.e. Calliastrum Torr. & Gr.

 


 

Vol. 5 (168) [B 60]

 

New Bedford, Sept. 22, 1868

 

G. W. Clinton, Esq.

 

Dear Sir

 

I have sent you by mail a single specimen of Aster Herveyi, the only one I can spare this season, which I hope will be acceptable to you.

 

The plant is not abundant & the demand larger than the supply.

 

You may send in return anything peculiar to your locality if you consider it worth the trouble

 

Very Respectfully

 

E. W. Hervey

 

Recd Sept. 28, ansd Oct. 2

 

 

Aster Herveyi, Gray. "Borders of oak woods, in rather moist soil, E. Mass. and R. I.; Mt. Desert. An ambiguous species, approaching the last" [A. macrophyllus L.] from Gray's 6th, 1889.

 


 

Vol. 5 (194) [B 31] [on printed stationary as above]

 

New Bedford, Mass. Dec. 21, 1868

 

G. W. Clinton, Esq.

 

Dear Sir:

 

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of a parcel of dried plants from you some weeks since.

 

I was exceedingly interested in them as they were nearly all new to me.

 

I have some hopes that you have received my Aster which had not come to hand when you last wrote me.

 

It was directed with your address before me and the postage paid, so I feel confident if you have not yet received it that the fault was with the P. O. officially.

 

I shall not fail to send you another specimen next season which would still leave me much indebted to you for your generous exchange.

 

Very truly

 

E. W. Hervey

 

P. S. I think I sent you a catalogue of N. B. [=New Bedford] Plants with my last, if not will do so.

 

Recd Dec. 23, wrote him Feb. 27

 

 


 

Vol. 5 (75) [B 155]

 

March 5, 1868

 

Dear Clinton

 

I now have a lot of Herbm. paper ‑ costs about $5.00 a ream. Don't care to spare any, but could let you have a few reams if asked for at once ‑ as it is still at warehouse in Boston.

 

Yours ever

 

A. Gray

 

Recd. March 6

 


 

Vol. 5 (80) [B 150]

 

Cambridge, 14 March [1868]

 

Dear Clinton

 

Excuse my negligence to acknowledge the $10.

 

I shall not send the paper till Tuesday or Wednesday next ‑ and shall have a matter of 25 cents to send you back in change, unless I have to pay that out in some way

 

So wait in patience

 

Yours ever

 

A. Gray

 

Recd. March 17

 


 

Vol. 5 (136) [B 92]

 

Cambridge June 2, 1868

 

Dear Clinton

 

No you don't get me to name Conferva ‑ by comparing specimens or any other way. 

 

I don't believe Hervey ever named a Conferva from Niagara Falls. I never had it if he did. I know nothing of such ignoble plants.

 

"A packet of things to be named & returned." Yes, if they are N. American things & Phaenogams.

 

I am going to end this distracting life one of these days ‑ then I shall have leisure to name anything you like.

 

The "knobs" of "the little beast" are the [budding] [horns] of the "Great Beast" we read of in Scripture. Don't wonder you are bothered ‑ for you know everything about the Great Beast has been a sore puzzle.

 

My own interpretation thereof, is, that said "knobs at top" are the body of the seed of a Cyperacea, Juncus or some other Endogen. carried up on elongating, short in germination

 

Ever Yours as of old

 

A. G.

 

Recd June 4

 

In Gray's glossary "Endogenous Stems, p. 138. "Endogenous plants, an old name for monocotyledons." p. 204 in association with the 5th edition.

 

The book of Revelations speaks of a horrible great "beast" that shall appear at the end of the age, a creature associated with Armageddon. Chapter 13:1-10, and 11-18 : verse11 "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."

 


 

Vol. 5 (142) [B 86]

 

C[ambridge] June 18th [1868]

 

Dear Clinton

 

My wife promised to write to you, but gets no more time than I. We are working to the utmost, in order to go abroad at end of August to escape winter for Mrs. Gray & get a change for me which I need. This accounts for my haste & imperfection in naming things.

 

While abroad, if I see any autographs of Linnaeus, Tournefort, &c. floating round, I'll get them for you. Remind Mrs. Gray [again, anon] & she will pick you out some autographs when she sorts my lot of letters.

 

Here is Alphonso Wood, & G. B. Emerson (Report on Trees of Mass.)

 

Yours ever

 

A. G.

Recd June 20

 

Emerson, G. B. 1875. A Report on the Trees and Shrubs Growing Naturally in the Forests of Massachusetts, 2nd ed. Little Brown and Co., Boston.

 


 

Vol. 6 (119) [L 94]

 

[On embossed stationary:] "Botanic Garden, Cambridge, Mass."]

 

Dec. 5, 1869

 

Hallo! Dear Clinton!

 

Send us a specimen of Fragaria  Gillmani,"Dead or alive I will have some."

 

You see we have got home again. I very hearty, my wife ‑ now that she is over the effects of the voyage ‑ tolerably well. She would send her love if she knew of my writing.

 

We are all alone here ‑ C. Wright away, and I am trying to get things into some order here.

 

So let us have news of yourself.

 

Ever Yours

 

A. Gray

 

Recd. Dec. 9 & ansd.

 

Fragaria Gillmani is a species Clinton has named and published himself.

Clinton seems to have clammed up completely regarding his venture into the new species-naming endeavor regarding this Strawberry. If Clinton won't write about it, perhaps Mr. Gillman himself shall. The following series of letters are those from the eponymous source of the epithet himself. Clinton, according to the International Organization for Plant Information, published Fragaria gillmanii Clinton in the Amerian Naturalist 3(4), 221. 1869. The source for the citation is "Pankhurst, R.: Rosaceae database, 2005." The recommendation of the IOPI is that the name deserves preliminary acceptance. In Homer House's 1924 treatment of the New York flora there is a species, Fragaria ananassa Duchesne, the Pine Strawberry. House says "Apparently derived form the South American F. chiloensis Duchesne, or more probably derived as a hybrid between that and the European F. vesca L." (p. 393). Perhaps Gillman's plants belonged here.

 


 

Vol.6 no. 9 [L 211 and 210, two pieces of paper]

 

61 Adams Avenue West

Detroit, March 11th

1869

 

My Dear Sir, ……..

 

    Do you know anything of a Strawberry known as the "Mexican Everbearing," brought from the Mountains of Mexico, where it grows abundantly. The plant which was brought here several years ago by a gentleman has multifplied exceedingly, - is peculiarly adapted to this climate, - and most remarkable in many respects. It will probably create a furor in the strawberry world. I enclose a bill which gives a slight idea of it. I have been unable to find its botanical name or indeed any account of it, though searching in "Hortus Kewensis," "Don's Botany," &c. &c. - Its flowers are perfect, and the plant generally bears a resemblance to F. Vesca - I thought you might be able to find something touching it, for which I would be exceedingly obliged. - It is a perpetual bearer. So you can have strawberries all season from June to December.

 

I shall be glad to get any of the plants you mention. I refer you to the marked catalogue which I sent you some time ago. Any of the new additions will be welcome.

 

The only strawberry approaching the "Mexican" in any work I have examined in the F. Chilensis, which of course it is not. Can you not find me the name?

 

Excuse my great haste, and believe me to remain

 

Ever faithfully yours

 

Henry Gillman

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton

Buffalo, N.Y.

Recd March 12

 


 

[second sheet: a printed page from some publication, only the top preserved:

 

"Mexican everbearing Strawberry! The greatest benefit and luxury of the age.

 

This variety is of good size, very rich flavor, and bears fruit from about the 1st of June until late in fall, yielding abundantly all the time. The fruit stands up on the vine, and consequently is in no danger of drooping down in the sand and becoming gritty, as is very apt to be the case with all other varieties.

 

These plants were brought from Mexico a few years ago, and have proved to be very hardy, and well suited to htis climate. They are grown and for sale by J. P. Whiting & Co., and cannot be obtained anywhere in the United States, except from them or their agents. Parties in want of the best strawberry, in every particular, to be found inthe country, will do well to purchase the Mexican Ever Bearing.

 

The following are affidavits from a few parties who have raised and known these Berries in Michigan, and are signed by men whose truth and veracity are unimpeachable. A great many more could be given if it were deemed necessary, but as these are all gentlemen of the strictest integrity, a few such names are sufficient to recommend the berry."

 

Affidavits torn away, except "State of Michigan, County of Monroe, ss.    Fenelon Scranton, being duly sworn, deposes and saith that he ... and well knows that Fenelon Scranton has been cultivating the Mexican Ever Bearing Strawberry Plant with success. 

 


 

Vol.6 no. 21 [L 197]

 

61 Adams Avenue West

Detroit, April 3, 1869

 

Hon. Geo. W. Clinton

 

My Dear Sir,……..

 

I have never seen Fragaria  Collina so cannot judge how it compares with F. Virginiana, var. Illinoensis. - It was quite a while before my dull brain comprehended your sly cut at my inclination to Darwinism. I suppose, however, I must only exercise a Christian spirit and forgive your unkind sarcasm and ridicule.

 

As to the Mexican Strawberry, I am sorry you could shed no light on it. Can it be a hybrid? Mr. Whiting the proprietor knows no more about this than any one else. The price of plants is $3 for dozen. But he permits no plants to go East this season - not till next - though he has had large

orders from Eastern men. - However I shall try to procure you come plants if you wish. Mr. Whiting has made me Genl. Agent for State of Kentucky, & it seems likely to be a big thing……

 

Excuse my hasty scribble,

 

& believe me

 

Very Truly Yours

 

Henry Gillman

 

Recd Ap. 6

 


 

Vol.6 no. 29 [L 189]

 

61 Adams Avenue West

April 13th 1869

 

My Dear Sir,

 

I have impressed Mr. Whiting so strongly with the value of your opinion on the Mexican Strawberry, - that he wishes me to be the bearer of a plant to you. And if I can possibly manage to get away this week or early next, you may expect to see me in Buffalo, when I shall be happy to present you with the plant. - Will you be there at those times?

    Of all who have seen the plant no one can name or place it. I sometimes think it is a distinct species.

 

The leafy stem which you remarked, is even more decided in the plant than shown by the cat. [catalogue] -

 

My time is so much occupied that I can make barely a flying visit. Please let me hear from you by return mail, as to see you personally will be the object of my trip.

 

With kindest regards

 

Yours most truly

 

Henry Gillman

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton

Buffalo, N.Y.

 

Recd & ansd Ap. 15

 


 

Vol.6 no. 33 [L 185]

 

61 Adams Avenue West

Detroit, April 16th

1869

 

My Dear Sir,

 

Your kind note has just reached me. Many thanks. But are you not a little premature in bestowing my name on Strawberry? If nothing occurs to prevent I shall visit Buffalo next week. -

 

I do not think I told you that I named a point after you, in my Survey, last season, on the South Shore of Lake Superior. "Clinton's Point" is about five miles west of Montreal River, the boundary between States of Michigan & Wisconsin. The point forms the western boundary of Ronto [sp?]

Bay - Little Girl's Point being the eastern one. It is appropriately named - as being a fine botanical locality. Near by I found Goodyera Menziesii very abundant & Platanthera orbiculata, Potamogeton obtusifolius, &c. -

 

To whet your appetite I send you the enclosed description of Strawberry which I have just dashed off. It is, no doubt, open to amendment. - Do you know a Strawberry having other than radical leaves?

 

Very Truly Yours

 

Henry Gillman,

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton

 

Mexican Strawberry

Stem erect, longer than the leaves, dichotomous, many-glowered, bearing aperfect trifoliate leaf variously placed from below the middle to the summit of the peduncle, which is clothed iwth a spreading or deflexed pubescence becoming more silky and ascending or appressed on the pedicles and calyx; Leaves rather thin, or in the old ones slightly inclining to coriaceous, coarsely serrate, the serrations rounded-mucronate, rugose, silky-villous, the hairs closely appressed particularly beneath, the two lateral leaflets unequal towards the base, born on long channelled footstalks which are clothed with spreading or deflexed hairs; Flower perfect, 8 lines in diameter; Calyx segments not longer than the roundish spreading petals, the exterior segments or bractlets often cleft to the base, much smaller than the interior segments which are ovate-lanceolate;  Fruit drooping, but always raised far above the ground on the erect stem, bright scarlet, of an irregular conical form, gratefully sweet, subacid, singularly fragrant, achenia numerous, superficial (not sunk in pits), closely covering the surface of the berry which is produced continuously from June to November. Propagating very rapidly by stolons or runners, also by side stools or offshoots from the central crown which are tuberous and easily separated. Height of plant 12-15 inches.

 

Henry Gillman.

 

Recd Ap. 19

 


 

Vol.6 no. 38 [L 180]

 

61 Adams Avenue West

Detroit, April 26, 1869

 

My Dear Sir,

 

On looking over Sir James Smith's "Flora", I find the following under Fragaria elatior, Ehr., comparing it with F. Vesca. "The essential difference consists in the long, wide-spreading or considerably deflexed hairs of all the flower-stalks as well as the footstalks. This is liable to no variation, or uncertainty, when properly observed. Ehrhart first used it for specific discrimination, & has distinguished all the real species of Strawberry which Linnaeus confounded, by analogous marks." How slight a difference!

 

I need hardly say Mr. Whiting is much elated by the results of my trip to Buffalo. I have forwarded your remarks with my description annexed, as you desired, to the American Naturalist. -

 

The few but delightful hours I spent with you & Mrs. Clinton in Buffalo I shall ever cherish in pleasant remembrance. - Permit me again to repeat my thanks for all your kindness.

 

Desiring to be kindly remembered by Mrs. Clinton & your Son,

 

I remain, My Dear Sir,

 

Most Truly Yours

 

Henry Gillman

 

Hon. G. W. Clinton

Buffalo

 

Recd Ap. 27  ansd 30th

 


 

Vol.6 no. 41 [L 177]

 

61 Adams Avenue West

Detroit, May 3d, 1869

 

My Dear Sir: