| Reference number | NLB/11/674 |
| Alternative reference number | NLB/11 p330 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from John Kirk, to George Francis Scott-Elliot |
| Date | 5 September 1895 |
| Description | Letter embodies what was today agreed to by the Royal Society regarding the disposal of Scott-Elliot recent collections made in the expedition to East Africa [partly funded by a Government Grant].
The two best and most complete sets of plants shall eventually be deposited at the British Museum and the herbarium at Kew [Gardens] with these sets to be as far as possible equal and to include the best and most typical specimens of each species.
Until the final distribution takes place Scott-Elliot shall be free to work at the systematic description of his collections or to place individual groups in the hands of others in this country with a view to description and publication; it being understood that in such case the collections shall be returned intact for the purpose of selection of the two best groups.
Discusses what should happen if Scott-Elliot wishes to to place part of his collections in the hands of continental botanists or others with a view to retention by them of the specimens on which they work.
While the Flora of Tropical Africa is in progress those who may be engaged on any group of plants for that work shall be given every facility to access Scott-Elliot's collections and shall be allowed if necessary to take any portion of them temporarily to Kew for comparison and reference. This does not allow the previous publication of new spices found in Scott-Elliot's collection without his consent in any form other than the Flora of Tropical Africa. The names of gentlemen engaged in the preparation of special groups of the Flora of Tropical Africa will be communicated to Scott-Elliot from time to time by the Secretary of the Royal Society.
Every endevour will be made to anticipate foreign competition by early publication in this country of the many interesting additions which Scott-Elliot's collections contain so that he may receive full credit as the first competent explorer of the botany of a region now placed under the protection of the British Flag. |
| Extent | 1p |
| Format | Carbon |
| Access status | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA6270 | Kirk; Sir; John (1832 - 1922) | 1832 - 1922 |