Notebook containing observations by Rafinesque on the natural history of the Hudson Valley, circa 1815-16

Abstract

Rafinesque's descriptive specimen list of fish, shells, reptiles and amphibians, insects, plants, and fungi collected during a field trip from July to August circa 1816. Rafinesque often uses the abbreviation "NG," probably indicating what he thinks is a "new genus". Many locations are covered in this volume some of which include but are not limited to Cohoes Falls (Waterford, New York), Albany (New York), and Lake George (New York). This item includes numerous detailed drawings of specimens collected, especially fish. Text is in mostly French, but identifications use English common names and Latin taxonomic names. Some illustrations of specimen include measurements. Numerous detailed, hand drawn maps are included throughout the notebook. Rafinesque also lists plants found near and in Albany by Mr. Jacob Green and Dr. [Romaga] Beck. An itinerary is included at the end of the item. A piece of correspondence dated Sept. 24, 1816 from D. Mitchill identifying a shell and another specimen Rafinesque presumably collected during this trip.

Date Range

1816

Start Date

1816

End Date

1816

Access Information

Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.

Topic

• Fungi
• Herpetology
• Entomology
• Ichthyology
• Invertebrates
• Naturalists

Place

• New York
• Hudson River Valley (N.Y. and N.J.)
• United States
• New Jersey
• Albany

Form/Genre

• Fieldbook record
• Scientific illustrations
• Field notes
• Maps
• Correspondence

Accession #

SIA RU007250

Collection name

C. S. (Constantine Samuel) Rafinesque papers, 1815-1834 and undated

Physical Description

1 notebook

Physical Location

Smithsonian Institution Archives

Sublocation

Box 1 Folder 1