| Collection | GB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections |
| Level | Item |
| Ref No | MS 38/67 |
| Alt Ref No | 145 |
| Title | Papers of David Skene: correspondence: Letter from David Skene to John Ellis |
| Date | 21 February 1766 |
| Extent | 1 item |
| Creator Name | David Skene (1731 - 1770), M.D., of Aberdeen |
| Description | Letter from David Skene to John Ellis in which he discusses criticisms of Essay on Corallines (1755); he remarks that Ellis is likely to have a number of enemies on his hands yet he does not feel sorry for him, despite the disagreeable nature of the disputes - 'your essay has made you pretty well known thro. Europe and what it has not done, your enemies will compleat. I have always found that where a man's merit is properly founded, his antagonists turn out to be his best panegyrists and I believe no doubt this will be the avent of the present state'; he states that he believes it true that Poyssonil, Jussieu and Reaumur amongst others had previously suspected the animal nature of marine production but that Ellis has set it in a clearer, more distinct light, supported by facts that were not available before; he discusses the manner in which Ellis has presented his findings and written his book; he will be glad to see a plate of his carolina animal sent by Dr Garden and will also be glad to see Ellis's paper on sponges as he is puzzled as to whether a sponge is an animal or plant; he gives him an account of his last sea side excursion in which he picked up some of the tubular habitations and their guests and had the opportunity to examine them while still alive; the inhabitant of the serpula triquetra has never been properly described and he gives an account of it to Ellis; he also examined the inhabitant of the serpula teres and describes it to Ellis; he states that he has examined many specimens of the tabul: aren: ang: which he found entertaining and describes it; he will be glad to see Pallas' performance, 21 February 1766. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | The records are available subject to the signed acceptance of the Department's access conditions. |