| Description | Correspondence of E.M. Holmes and individuals with the surname beginning with C. Details of the author, number of letters, place of writing and dates are listed below:
- CAPRON, E. (11 letters): Shere, 1879 [N.B. Includes a moss sample and 2 photographs]
1) Shere, 06 May 1879
Encloses 2 photographs, one of a cat, one of a man [himself?], and a specimen of a moss - 'Hypmum radicale' with 'Riparium'. Would like a specimen of 'Hymum elegams'.
2) Shere, 23 [January/June?] 1879
Has been ill with pain in his right side - pneumonia? Since 2 weeks before Christmas. Will take care of the sponges. Advises on the need for a micrometer on his microscope.
3) Shere, 30 June 1879
Thanks for letter, but no mosses enclosed. Just visited Ryde and found several specimens.
4) Shere, 07 July 1879
Gives address of box-maker. Speaks of a moss like Holmes's 'Seligeria', but Mr Hunt pronounced it to be 'Seligeria posilla'.
5) Shere, 13 April 1879
Has made a slide out of ['Deciformis'?]
6) Shere, 28 July 1879
Thanks for specimens of insects. Refers to Holmes's and his own illness. Had some good collecting in Isle of Wight.
7) Shere, 25 August 1879
Thanks for letter and expresses admiration for Holmes's gift for collecting and finding things. His own collection was very extensive. Been to Hayling Island and Bournemouth.
8) Shere, 03 September 1879
Thanks for moss 'Aulocomium'. Would like the 'Grimmias' offered.
9) Shere, 08 September 1879
Thanks for parcel. Grasshopper and beetle were common ones. Still ill, with impacted gallstones, or else some disease of the liver.
10) Shere, 19 October 1879
Thanks for sponges. Asks if interested in fungi, or only mosses and lichens. Complains of exorbitant charges for parcel from Holmes.
11) Shere, 30 October 1879
Thanks for specimens. Had hemilagia. Will send a list of 'Grimmias' soon. Various correspondents mentioned.
- CARRINGTON, B. (7 letters): Eccles, 1868-1890
1) Eccles, near Manchester, 14 September 1868
Identifies certain specimens.
2) Eccles, 25 March 1869
Apologises for late reply. Thanks for list of 'Hepaticas' - believes that when Holmes becomes more acquainted with the species he will be able to add more to it. Comments on various mosses.
3) Eccles, 27 June 1869
Apologises for delay in writing, believed he had already responded to it until he found it in a pile of manuscripts. Admits that he is not a good correspondent, so Holmes should never think he is neglecting him.
4) Eccles, 10 October 1877
Thanks for Hepaticas.
5) Eccles, 11 August 1890
Confidential account of ill-natured remarks by a friend on his work on the British Hepaticas; this has turned him into a recluse and prevented publication. Concluding fascicle of 'Hepat. Brit. Excis'. will be ready before Christmas. It will cost a guinea to old subscribers and 30/ (shillings) to others. Cook been strongly criticised in the 'Journal of Botany'. Holmes about to visit the West Riding and Carrington regrets the disappearances of various habitats where he studies Cryptogamia. Recommends Clapham as a centre. His wife paralysed and at Robin Hood's Bay. Pearson growing fat and rich. Wonder if Holmes can recommend a place by the sea on the South Coast for his retirement.
6) Eccles, 14 August 1890
Thanks him for his letter, and expresses his desire to re-acquaint himself with some old friends. Deplores the loss of ferns in parts of Yorkshire, but recommends various inns - at Bolton Bridge, Malham, Skipton, Ingleton. Will try to join Holmes, but can only walk 4-6 miles now. Mention of lichens and where they may be found. Terribly wet summer. Recommends the meeting of the Scottish Cryptogramma Society in September.
7) Eccles, 19 August 1890
Nervous headaches have prevented letter writing. Identifies several specimens. Refers to several mosses likely to be found in Yorkshire, and 'Geramium lucidum' at Bolton Abbey.
- CLEGHORN, H. (1 letter): Edinburgh, 1885
1) Edinburgh, 24 March 1885
Testimonial to Holmes - praises his arrangement of specimens in the British Museum, his knowledge of lichens, mosses and algae, and his facility in communicating knowledge.
- CLOUSTON, CHARLES (2 letters): Orkney, 1883 and 1885
1) Orkney, 24 March 1883
Sorry he cannot throw any light on the specimen - 'Distichum' which Holmes sent him. Is now 83 and the Father of the Church of Scotland. Suggests a friend who might help. Sends article on 'Laminaria' by a French author.
2) Orkney, 26 March 1885 - from Mr Clouston's daughter.
Thanks for return of pamphlet. Offers some dried plants, not in very good condition, but wishes to keep her father's main collection.
- COOK, JAMES (4 letters): Paisley, 1878-1891
1) Paisley, 03 May 1878
Thanks for note on the flowering of hawthorn. Will send books and encloses cutting from the catalogue of a bookseller.
2) Paisley, 28 April 1883
Sends 2 specimens of 'Fucus amceps'. Hopes to see Holmes in London and may bring specimen of 'Delesseria hypoglossum'.
3) Paisley, 14 August 1892
Does not know the Ayrshire coast well enough to help, but has passed Holmes's letter to Sir David Lands.
4) Paisley, 19 August 1891
Recommends the south end of Arran for Holmes to visit and describes how to get there.
- COOKE, W.C. (2 letters): Chichester, undated
1) Chichester, undated
Thanks for letter, which knocks 'the chemical project' on the head. Wonders which barns near Chichester have 'P. atlantica' growing on them. Remembers only one inaccessible barn whose doors were yellow as if coated by paint and thought this was 'P. parietaria'. Will investigate.
2) Chichester, undated
Thanks for letter thanking the Society for the honour electing him an Honorary Member. Hopes he will give them a short paper on one genus of mosses or fresh water algae. Becoming busier and busier to the point of slavery, and think he must 'cut the string that tethers him and pitch his tent elsewhere.' Encloses a fungus from the Downs.
- CORNISH, J.B. (1 letter and enclosure): Penzance, 1902
1) Penzance, 09 February 1902
Acknowledges letter received from Holmes, and in return is sending their transactions in relation to his subject. Three annual parts are charged at 1/ to 2/ each, and they can send Holmes all nine parts in the enclosed list for 10/ (shillings). The collection of the late John Ralfs are preserved at Penzance library, based at Morrab House. Enclosed is a list of the parts they can send Holmes.
- CORNU, MAXIME [?] (2 letters): Paris, 1887 [N.B. In French]
1) Museum of Natural History, Paris, 12 January 1887
Would like to see Holmes's collection. Thanks for specimens M. Bornet has returned to Paris. Thought Holmes must be a doctor with all his knowledge. Asks if he has received anemone 'bulbe' [bulb].
2) Paris, undated
Offers a herbal remedy for headaches.
- CROMBIE, JAMES (7 letters): Golders Green, 1870 and 2 undated
1) Golders Green, undated
Has examined the lichens sent and identifies them. Advises collecting all the 'Collemacii' before sending them for identification.
2) Golders Green, undated
Identifies several lichens. Confirms that most Channel Island lichens can be found in South West England. Found a new species of 'Lecidea' even in Hendon (?). Published a list of 'Lecidea' in Journal of Botany.
3) Golders Green, 26 February 1870
Glad to hear of Holmes's forthcoming visit to Devon and Cornwall on a lichen expedition. He should examine all rocky coasts, but comments that Dr Holl has not left much behind him where he has collected. Mentions various lichens which may be found and offers to examine specimens. Would be glad to hear of a lichenologist in Holmes's area.
4) Golders Green, 13 March 1870
Identifies various specimens. Recommends Leighton's forthcoming book. Suggests breaking new ground. Has given his duplicates recently to the British Museum. Thanks Holmes for recommending his book and suggests he should examine Leighton, near Torquay.
5) Golders Green, 06 April 1870
Has found time to examine the lichens sent and gives his identification. Asks for large specimens of 'Collemas'.
6) Golders Green, 18 July 1870
Has not yet examined all the lichens. Trying to finish other work before going to Scotland on the 25th.
7) Golders Green, [?] September 1870
More apologies for delay in examining lichens, owing to the bright sunshine and overpowering heat and his visit to Scotland and searching for another home. Sending some specimens in a box and gives names for these. Will do more from his new home in Finchley.
- CUNNACK, J. (1 letter): Helston, 1874
1) Helston, 12 October 1874
Offers help with North Cornish plants and gives his needs.
- CURNOW, WILLIAM (34 letters): Penzance, 1868-1886
1) Penzance, 22 October 1868
Sends a few more mosses and gives his requirements. Offers more plants, but does nothing with lichens or minerals or shells. Interested in sea-weeds. Gives information on habitats of various mosses, e.g.: 'Weissa cirrata misgapolit-innum', 'Trichostomum subulatum' and permits Holmes to use his discoveries for his Devon and Cornwall list. Suggests sending large specimens by train to save expense.
2) Penzance, 21 June 1869
Thanks for letter and specimen of 'Trich. [Trichostomum] subulatum' - would like another gathered early next year. Gives his desiderata.
3) Penzance, 27 June 1869
Thanks for latter and parcel. Very pleased with it and offers to supply anything he can in return. Asks for 'Fissidems viroalis'.
4) Penzance, 22 September 1869
Sends specimen of 'H. speciosum', whose habitats have recently been destroyed by rising tides. Will send flowers when season is over.
5) Penzance, 27 September 1869
Promises various mosses soon and gives a list of flowering plants set aside for Holmes. Detailed description of 'Madotheca platyphylla'. Gives list of rare 'Hispaticas' wanted. Asks when 'Bryum roseum' is in perfect fruit. Can get advice of habitats of algae from Mr. Ralf. Several habitats of local rarities destroyed by drainage or loss of trees.
6) Penzance, 15 October 1869
Sends sample. Packet of mosses arrived safely. Would like more 'Platyphylla'. Speaks warmly of Hooker's book, now about 50 years old. Looks forward to Carrington's book. Asks for 'Madotheca porella'.
7) Penzance, 04 November 1869
Has sent a parcel of plants prepaid. Has no list of desiderata in flowering plants ready. Thanks for last letter. Hopes to collect sea-weeds next season. Comments on various sea-weeds. Difficulty found by botanists in identifying 'Scapania', and would like more found of it.
8) Penzance, 10 December 1869
Been ill and got infection in his right hand under the nail. Very pleased with the parcel sent to him. Hopes to catch up soon and look at hepaticas.
9) Penzance, 23 December 1869
Thumb been so bad that he could not write on his microscope. Encloses these specimens of mosses - 'Frullamia fragilipolia', 'Scapamia' sp. [specimen] and 'S. nervosa'. Hopes to study lichens locally.
10) Penzance, 22 January 1870
Thumb nearly better. Has been on several lichen excursions with Mr Ralf and his friend, Mr Broome of Bath. Has duplicates of the lichens if Holmes wants them. Asks if any lichen exchange list available. Apologises for wrong naming of a plant and says he may have become slovenly by sending so many sets to [Rabenhorst]. Asks for 'Trichostomum xabalatum' before it is mature and 'Brym roseum'. Gives localities of lichens found by Mr. Ralph. Looking forward to Carrington's books and the impetus it will give to the study of mosses.
11) Penzance, 11 February 1870
Sends some lichens. 'Parmelia laeuigata' wrongly named. Many comments made on individual lichens. Mudd's work said to be "as clear as mud" so he regrets about not having it. Offers wholeheartedly any specimens Holmes requires. Not studied algae yet.
12) Penzance, 22 February 1870
Sent packet of lichens. Comments on these and thanks Holmes for his specimens and information. Asks for a few more, especially the curious 'Umbellaria pustulata'. Tells of certain, often lichen sounds in local orchards.
13) Penzance, 08 July 1870
Has been too busy to write, going to market at Truro and Falmouth, supervising a dozen men on his farm and market garden, and only one son to help him. No time for sea-weeds, which perish quickly. Relies on Mr Ralph for its study, and Hervey's 3 volumes. Hopes to compare notes in the winter. Mr Crombie has offered to help with lichens. Sends 'Parmelia tribera' in fruit (very rare). 'Emtosthidia curnowia' destroyed by a land-slide.
14) Penzance, 10 October 1870
Encloses 'L. squamalosus', whose former habitat near a farmyard has been destroyed. Speaks of another lichen found also at Castle-an-Dinas in Cornwall, he thinks - 'L. Aromatica'?
15) Penzance, 14 October 1870
Has sent a parcel, and thanks Holmes for his latest packet quotes a passage by Salway in the Annals of Natural History, Penzance, on the differences between 'Parmelia tribasa' and 'P. erosa'. Suggests that 'Erosa' may be the same as 'Clementi', but it is not the plant sent by Holmes.
16) Penzance, 20 October 1870
Detailed comments on various lichens, including 'P. tribaea' again.
17) Penzance, 11 September 1874
Glad to hear from Holmes again. Various lichens found on elm trees and sea-pinks discussed with Dr. Holl, who has named one found at Totnes as 'Lithographia dendrographia'.
18) Penzance, 26 October 1874
Sends 'Roccella fuciformis' in fruit and 'Lecandra poliophoe' from the Lizard rocks, also found on the Logan rocks. Will try to get better specimens before the bus stops running to the Lizard for winter.
19) Penzance, 30 September 1876
Thanks for specimens and account of rambles in Wales. Has sent a box of ferns. Recovering from his illness and thanks Holmes for the medicine he sent, with very better taste.
20) Pages 5, 6 and 7 of a letter, undated [MISSING]
70 or 80 species of brambles sent to Prof Babington for naming. Discrepancies between Continental and British nomenclature. Dr France and Mr Lees visited in August and started on the brambles. List of minutes given. Wonders if Holmes thinks of marrying, and hopes he will visit again, despite the bad time they had at Falmouth. Daunted by the task of mounting his mosses, in cartridge paper cases, one for each genus. Terrible losses suffered by the failure of banks in Cornwall.
21) Penzance, 04 December 1876
Financial difficulties caused by his acting as guarantor for his son in a manure agency in the sum of £500. Son now filing of petition of liquidation, according to Curnow's brother. Very worried, but his landlord says he will keep him in position, with a house over his head as long as he lives, as his spare money for rent is also now gone as he had left it with his son. Too heart-broken to pursue his studies, and he has put his more valuable books in safe-keeping, pending on the outcome of the meeting of his son's creditors.
22) Penzance, 10 December 1876
Apologies for delay in sending parcel. Interesting 'Lavatera' from Scilly not yet identified. Mr Ralf very cut up by the death of his young friend, Miss Cockins, for whom he was getting up a collection. Thanks for Christmas cards and presents for the children. Would like Mr Ralf to have helped with 'Parmelia simmora' in Wales last summer. Been very busy getting out his list of West Country Lichens, Mosses and Hepatics for the Record Club. Encloses some 'Bryums' and sends thanks for all Holmes's help. Has now two pounds for growing water Ranunculi.
23) Penzance, 12 October 1877
Professes thanks for letter, which "points out little incidents which give such a charm to your letter." Offers to determine 'Dicksomia' for Holmes. Dr Carrington unlikely to do much more work. Has been in correspondence with Mr Pearson of Manchester who is helping Dr Carrington with hepatics. Visited the Lizard last week, but no trace of 'Rocella phycrepris'. Notes various flowers, of which he is sending specimens.
24) Penzance, 16 September 1878
Thanks for letter about his trip to Wales. Has been looking at brambles with Mr Ralf and two visitors, Mr Seer and Dr Fraser. Will get help from Dr Babbington. Also been looking up mints especially at Land's End, Pengersick Castle, and Carbis Valley. Will gladly start on Holmes's Hepaticas during the winter. Hopes to get 'Euphorbia peplis'. Various plants found at Slapton and brought back to grow on. Would love to visit London, but may be too old and too busy.
25) Penzance, 20 January 1879
In his 70th year. Been mounting his collection of plants, taking gooseberry cuttings. Offers to mount specimens for Holmes. News of various friends and exchanges of kindnesses - Mrs Goode, Mr Smith, Dr Moore. Asks for specimens of various orchids. Dr Seer gives news of the proposed list of Hepaticas to be published by the Record Society. A bad year for fruit, but he sold 20 tons of Summerset apples at a good price. Badly bruised by a turning wagon.
26) Penzance, 02 February 1879
Thanks for another set of specimens. Hopes to collect fresh hepatics soon, now that the very cold weather has gone. Many old people died of the cold. Would like 'Isoetes' specimen. Had a packet of flowering plants from Mr Piquel in Jersey. Recommends Mrs Somax's method of drying plants with wadding.
27) Penzance, 31 October 1884
Thanks for letter and box of lichens. Sends 'Gigartima pistilata', growing on flat, dainty rocks near low water. Hopes to renew his friendship with Holmes. He is now 75.
28) Penzance, 05 November 1884
Could not find any 'Gigartima', but only its associates. Been to Cape Cornwall but it was too wild for small weeds. Cannot help with other sea-weeds - engaged on his Hepatica collection and only came on 'G. pistillata' by chance. News of Mr Marquand 10-week visit to Dartmoor: other friends now working on them.
29) Penzance, 09 November 1884
Sends 13 specimens - all he could find - of 'Gigartima pistillata' and fears he may have destroyed it altogether. Like Holmes, he had been looking for it all his life. Would welcome any specimens of sea-weeds, having got new impetus from Holmes. Seen large specimens of 'Digitata' at St Just. Gives list of lichens needed. Frightened by Leighton's Lichen Flora, as he cannot work on spores.
30) Penzance, undated
Has been laid low with bronchitis, but will send on the two books of Hepatica, one for Holmes, one for Mr George and hopes they will like them.
31) Penzance, 17 April 1885
Thanks for £5 note, and wishes he could have given his books as present. Asks for Mr Griffiths address in Wales. Will send any specimens he can to Mr Batters.
32) Penzance, 18 April 1885
Sends 'O. amphation' and offers 'Lophocolea speciata' or 'Cephalozia jackari' if required.
33) Penzance, 23 April 1886 - 'cf.' letter from Tellam, 23rd December 1886
Thanks for letter and account of Mr Waterfall's enjoyable life. His own life exposed to the vagaries of weather, markets, etc. His only just surviving financially for the last 9 or 10 years, with the help of kind friends like Holmes. His son also lost 4 tons of glass in his green-houses through a hail-storm and friends helped him with a collection of £50. Curnow owed his landlord £2.50 in rent last Christmas and his landlord suggested parting, after proper notice, since Curnow unwilling to pay half-yearly rent. Has therefore advertised his fruit. Frees locally and will leave in a year. Resentment at being turned out after improving the land for 50 years. May go to Australia and live with his brother. Is now 77. Various mosses alluded to. Wishes to get rid of parts of his herbarium - the lichens and books of continental mosses, etc.
34) Part of a letter, undated
Is looking for 'Carex' specimens to grow. Refers to Holmes's visit and offers to meet him at Penzance Station. Visited Helston with Mr Ralf and found 'Hyberinum undulatum', 'Scirpis acicularis', etc. Mr Currack showed them the localities of various plants.
- CURTISS, F.A. (Mrs) (7 letters and 2 postcards): Jacksonville, 1894-1896 [N.B. Also includes a list of species and a letter from Holmes to Mr A.A. Curtiss (son)]
1) Jacksonville, USA, 12 March 1896 - Postcard
Sends son's algae for identification. Not entirely satisfied with Agardh's determinations. Some 'Zonarias' from the Bahamas enclosed. Some African plants expected.
2) Undated Lists
Desiderata and duplicates of Algae - suggests that Holmes add a few names of algae from South Africa and Ceylon [Sri Lanka] in his list of British algae.
3) Sevenoaks, undated - from E.M. Holmes
Has some, but not all, duplicates. Very laborious to issue his 25 sets of 25 specimens in his spare time. Hopes to visit U.S.A. and see the 'Algae Curtissianae'. Asks if any British herbarium has taken the whole set issued by [Mr] Curtiss. Encloses above list (2) of desiderata and asks for any medical plants collected in the Southern States and Mexico for the B.M. [British Museum] Herbarium.
4) Jacksonville, 12 June 1894
Thanks for letter of Feb 25th about the possibility of an exchange of specimens. Has specimen from Florida and Key West. Has now the most complete collection of American algae in the world, despite the inaccessibility of most of the coral 'keys' (islands). Has sent two new species to Agardh.
5) Jacksonville, 26 July 1894 - Postcard
Will send algae specified by Holmes.
6) Jacksonville, 05 September 1894
Thanks for letter of 20th August with list of algae, which she has marked. Will send package of plants specified and two species of 'Delesseria', which Prof. Agardh is also studying. Her supply of duplicates is limited. Would like specimens from Japan, Ceylon [Sri Lanka] and Cape of Good Hope, as she specialises in 'Siphoneae', 'Dasycladeae' and 'Valoniae'.
7) No address, 06 May [September?] [no year]
Thinks she should defer sending her list until she has more to offer in exchange, but would like a few from Japan, Ceylon [Sri Lanka], and Cape of Good Hope.
8) Jacksonville, 26 November 1894
Wonders if her package arrived (sent on Sept 6th). A friend just going to the West Indies wishes to exchange specimens with Holmes via herself.
9) List of specimens [Missing]
10) Jacksonville, 04 January 1895
Received letter dated December 19th and package on December 28th. Thinks another package has been lost. Not having heard from Holmes, she has promised an exchange with Dr Anderson of Santa Cruz, California, for a few new species of algae that she is missing from her herbarium. She has a large collection of Pacific Algae, and Anderson is planning to publish a work on Algae of the Pacific Coast, which she believes is much needed. Complains of TARLOW'S many mistakes in identification. Much interested in Holmes's specimens, especially the 'Delesseria'. Her friend, Mrs Hall, who is now collecting in the West Indies, is not interested in British species, but they would be willing to exchange if Holmes can supply plants from Australia, Ceylon [Sri Lanka], Japan and Africa.
11) Jacksonville, 26 January 1895
Encloses Holmes's list marked with those she does not have. She now has specimens that Holmes desired from the Pacific that she is happy to send him if Prof Tarlow has not sent them to him already. Mentions Mrs Hall again and her search in the West Indies, and her willingness to exchange with Holmes for some foreign plants. Also some specimens from the river and from Key West.
12) Jacksonville, 29 March 1895
Thanks for letter. Apologises for the excess postage paid by Holmes on her package, and feels that no further exchanges possible on account of high cost of transit. Her aim is to make her American collection as complete as possible, so has been declining all foreign exchanges. Mrs Hall now back with many good specimens. Notes on various people with whom exchange is possible. Thanks for specimens, and comments on naming of plants.
13) Jacksonville, 06 January 1896
A change in the British postal system may make further exchanges possible. Sends list of possible specimens and stresses that only good plants needed. Mrs Hall's finds now with Prof. Agardh, but none were new.
14) Sevenoaks, 09 September 1899 - from Holmes [last page is missing]
Thanks for the memoir of Mrs Curtiss sent by her son. Regrets that he could not send some specimen to her on account of there being no parcel post to the U.S.A. Sends a memoranda about himself and would be glad to buy specimens of the new species found by Mrs Curtiss and described by Agardh. |