Robert Jameson's Instructions, 1817
In 1972, Jessie M. Sweet M.B.E., B.Sc. wrote a paper on "Instructions to
Collectors; John Walker (1793) and Robert Jameson (1817) with Biographical Notes
on James Anderson (LL.D.) and James Anderson (M.D.)" which was published in the Annals
of Science Volume 29, pages 397-413.
This paper draws attention to "Robert Jameson's Instructions to Collectors, 1817" which were
printed in the Edinburgh Magazine and Literary Miscellany; A New Series of the Scots Magazine
Volume 1. August to December 1817, Edinburgh; Printed by George Ramsey and Company for Archibald
Constable and Company, Edinburgh; and Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London. Pages 367-369.
These instructions, aimed specifically at persons who might be able to collect specimens
for The University of Edinburgh's Museum of Natural History, were as follows:
"Some time ago an application was made to Government, by
the University of Edinburgh, for the improvement of its
museum of Natural History. For this purpose, it was
requested, that instructions might be issued to the
different ministers and public servants abroad, recommending
that they should avail themselves of every opportunity of
collecting specimens, and should transmit them to the
University to be added to its museum. A favourable answer to
this application having been received from Lord
Castlereagh,Professor
Jameson drew up the following directions as to the best mode
of preserving the various objects of Natural History. We
gladly avail ourselves of his obliging permission to insert
them, as we are persuaded that, besides answering the object
immediately in view, they will be found eminently useful to
all who pursue the different branches of this extensive and
important science".
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