Letter received by Banks from John Sibthorp, 10 December 1787 (Series 72.148) - No. 0004

[Page 4]

Sr. Joseph Banks Esq 
President of the Royal Society 
Soho Square

Fr. Sibthorpe 
Decr. 14 -- 87
    -- 15 --

The Scammonia mentioned by Dios. [Dioscorides] to grow in Mysia is not the Con. [Convolvulus] Scammonia but C. Farinosus.  This grows plentifully about Lonpadi on the Road from Smyrna to Prusa.  The Lignum Rhodium said to grow in Cypress [Cyprus] by the modern writers is the Liquidambar Styraciflua.  The [indecipherable] or Prior of the Convent of Antiphonito [possibly Antiphonitis] to where I went expressly to examine this wood pointed out probably ye very Tree which Pocock has described.  The Trunk of it was much hacked but several new suckers were coming up near it, it is called [indecipherable].

It was probably introduced from Armenia by the Venetains when they possessed Cypress.  My Paper will not permit me to trouble you with any further remarks.  I shall only add, that I shall be happy if I can add any thing to your Museum.  I arrived late last night & shall flatter myself with the frequent Honour of your command.  Being with much Truth,
Sir
Your much obliged & faithful Friend

​John Sibthorp

Oxford
Decr. 10th 1787