John Ellis (naturalist)

John Ellis ( * 1710 or 1714 † October 15, 1776 in London) was an Irish botanist and zoologist, who dealt extensively with, among other zoophytes. Its official botanical author abbreviation is " J.Ellis ".

  • 4.1 works
  • 4.2 journal articles
  • 6.1 Literature
  • 6.2 Notes and references

Life

John Ellis was either 1710 (derived from James Edward Smith) or 1714 ( stated on his marriage certificate of 29 June 1754) was born. It is very likely with the Irish Henry Ellis (1721-1806), the second colonial governor of Georgia and governor of Nova Scotia, used. Around 1733 he had established himself in London's Lawrence Lane as linen merchants. In 1753 he was representative of the Irish Linen Board ( Irish linen Committee) in London and sat down in the 1750s for the interests of the Irish linen craft a. The mid- 1750s he became a member of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, to which he belonged until 1760.

On April 16, 1752 was a guest of Philip Carteret Webb (1700? -1770 ), Whose garden in Busbridge he had created, for the first time at a meeting of the Royal Society in part. Barely two months later, on 17 June 1752 his first independent publication was read on his studies of the marine fauna and flora. In 1754 he became a member of the Royal Society and later published a year his first more extensive work An essay towards the Natural History of the Coral Lines. For Philosophical Transactions he delivered a total of 27 botanical and zoological contributions.

In the first half of the year 1754 married Ellis. His first daughter Martha was born on December 27, 1754. The twins, born on May 6, 1758 Mary and Elizabeth and his wife died in the year 1758.

For the together with his partner James Fivey -run trading company, he had to file for bankruptcy in January 1760. He retired from the Lawrence Lane in a furnished room in Gray 's Inn, where he lived until 1774.

John Ellis cultivated extensive ties with the British colonies in North America. He tried for example to introduce the rhubarb, and tea there and hit 1758 before even to suspend premiums for the successful introduction of plants in Georgia and North Carolina and South Carolina. In 1763 he received the support of Henry Ellis and Lord Robert Henley ( 1708-1772 ) the post of " Royal Agent " for West Florida. In this position he had from London to manage the financial resources provided by the Crown to maintain the colonial government. After his bankruptcy in 1760, he was thus again financially secure and was able to devote his scientific studies. 1770 were also assigned the tasks of " Colonial Agent " for the Caribbean island of Dominica Ellis.

Around March 1771 seriously ill Ellis. His health deteriorated then more and more. In 1774 he could barely see, and moved to the countryside to Hampstead. On October 15, 1776, he died.

Work

For the first time John Ellis appeared in public as a naturalist in appearance than he a consignment of plants and corals from Anglesey and Dublin so arranged between autumn 1751 and spring 1752, they caught the attention of Stephen Hales. His research into the plants and marine animals are characterized primarily by the use of the microscope.

Carl Linnaeus ruled 1772 Ellis:

" They are still the mainstay of Natural History in England, because your attention is always focused on everything that reproduces these studies and promotes. Without your help the rest of the world would know very little about the findings of your clever fellow countrymen in all parts of the world. They are the portal through which the nature lovers are routed to these discoveries. I certify on my part that I have gained more information through your manifold help than by any other person. "

Zoological contributions

Together with the illustrator Charles Brooking (1723-1759) visited Ellis in August 1752 Isle of Sheppey, and examined with the aid of one of John Cuff (around 1708-1772 ) constructed water microscope, which was later known as " water Ellisches microscope " known corals. Two years later he examined again accompanied by Georg Dionysius Ehret before Brighthelmstone in Sussex corals and could in 1755, based on these studies, published his first extensive work An essay towards the Natural History of the Coral Lines.

In the following years he worked with sponges, crinoids and sea pens. In 1765 he described in On the Nature and Formation of Sponges, the similarities between sponges and the leather coral Alcyonium digitatum ( Dead Sea hand) that made him come to the conclusion that sponges are animals.

In 1768 he was honored by John Pringle for his contributions on the Animal Nature of the genus of zoophytes, Called Corallina and An Account of the Actinia Sociata with the Copley Medal. In the first article he had the sea anemone Actinia sociata from the Caribbean described as an independent species, which was previously regarded as a colony of polyps. Microscopic observations and chemical analyzes, which he carried out with the assistance of Daniel Solander and Peter Woulfe, he was able to prove in the second font that corals are animals and not, as claimed by Job Baster and Peter Simon Pallas, plants.

In the meantime, he published nor description of the male and female Cochenilleschildlaus ( Dactylopius coccus ) and together with the description of a John Hunter in South Carolina by Alexander Garden discovered Armmolches.

Shortly before his death he was able to prove in 1775 that the soft corals of the genus Gorgonia must be attributed to the animal kingdom. Its begun work on zoophytes Ellis could not finish. His daughter Martha published thanks to the financial support of John Fothergill and later by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander of the taxonomic help publish their father's posthumous 1776 work entitled A Natural History of Many Curious and Uncommon zoophytes.

Botanical contributions

John Ellis botanical contributions are not quite as extensive as his zoological services. 1761 he described for the first time the two plant genera Gardenia and Halesia ( Halesia tetraptera ). 1767/68 he studied at the request of Linnaeus fungal spores microscopically. In 1768 he published the first description of the Venus Flytrap ( Dionaea muscipula ), whose figure was part of the first edition of his 1770 published monograph for safe transport of seeds and plants ( Directions for bringing over seeds and plants, from the East Indies ).

1770 was followed by the description of the Florida anise ( Illicium floridanum ) and 1771 of the genus Gordonia with the way Gordonia lasianthus. With the history of coffee dealt his last published work during his lifetime Historical Account of Coffee ( 1774).

Ehrentaxon

Carl Linnaeus named in his honor the kind Ellisia from the family of water -leaved plants ( Hydrophyllaceae ).

Writings

Works

  • An essay towards a natural history of the Corallines, and other productions of the like kind, Commonly found on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, to Which is added the description of a large marine polype taken near the North Pole, by whale - fishers. , in the summer 1753 A. Millar, J. and J. Rivington, and R. & J. Dodsley, London, 1755; online
  • Directions for bringing over seeds and plants, from the East Indies and other distant countries, in a state of vegetation: together with a catalog of seeking foreign plants as are worthy of being Encouraged in our American colonies, for the purposes of medicine, agriculture, and commerce. To Which is added, the figure and botanical description of a new sensitive plant, called Dionaea muscipula: or, Venus 's fly -trap. L. Davis, London 1770
  • An historical account of coffee: with at engraving, and botanical description of the tree: to Which are added sundry papers relative to its culture and use, as in article of diet and of commerce. Edward and Charles Dilly, London 1774
  • The natural history of many curious and uncommon zoophytes, collected from various parts of the globe. B. White & son, London 1786 - posthumously with Daniel Solander in 1786; online

Journal articles

  • Observations on a Remarkable Coral -Line, in a Letter from Mr. John Ellis to the Rev. Thomas Birch, DD Secret. R. S. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 48, 1753/1754, pp. 115-117. online
  • A Letter from Mr. John Ellis to Mr. Peter Collinson, FRS Concerning a cluster calamari, Found in the Sea Near the Coast of Greenland. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 48, 1753/1754, pp. 305-307. online
  • A Letter to Mr. Peter Collinson, FRS Concerning a Particular Species of Coralline. By Mr. John Ellis, FRS In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 48, 1753/1754, pp. 504-507
  • A Letter from Mr. John Ellis, FRS to Mr. Peter Collinson, FRS Concerning the Animal Life of Those Coral Lines That Look Like Trees minute, and Grow upon Oysters and Fucus 's All Round the Sea- Coast of This Kingdom. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 48, 1753/1754, pp. 627-633
  • A Letter from Mr. John Ellis, FRS to Philip Carteret Webb, Esq; FRS Attempting to Ascertain the Tree That Yields the Common Varnish Used in China and Japan; to Promote Its Propagation in Our American Colonies; And to Set Right Some Mistakes Botanists Appear to Have Entertained Concerning it. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 49, 1755/1756, pp. 806- 875.online
  • An Account of a Curious, Fleshy, Coral -Like Substance; In a Letter to Mr. Peter Collinson, FRS from Dr. John Albert Schlosser, MDFRS with Some Observations on It Communicated to Mr. Collinson by Mr. John Ellis, FRS In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 49, 1755/1756, pp. 449-452. online
  • An Account of a Red Coral from the East - Indies, of a Very Singular child: In a Letter from Mr. John Ellis, FRS to Mr. Peter Collinson, F.R.S. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 50, 1757/1758, pp. 188-194. online
  • Remarks upon the Letter of Mr. John Ellis, FRS to Philip Carteret Webb, Esq; FRS Printed in the Philosophical Transactions, Vol xlix. Part ii. p. 806 By Mr. Philip Miller, FRS In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 50, 1757/1758, pp. 430-440. - Philip Miller; online
  • An Answer to the Preceding Remarks. By Mr. John Ellis, FRS In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 50, 1757/1758, pp. 441-456. online
  • An Account of Some Experiments Relating to the Preservation of Seeds: In Two Letters to the Right Honourable the Earl of Macclesfield, President of the Royal Society. From John Ellis, Esq; F. R. S. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 51, 1759/1760, pp. 206-215 online
  • The Method of Making Sal Ammoniac in Egypt; As Communicated by Dr. Linnaeus, from His Pupil Dr. Hasselquist, Who Had Been Lately in Those Parts: By John Ellis, Esq; F. R. S. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 51, 1759/1760, pp. 504-506. - Carl von Linné
  • An Account of the Plants Halesia and Gardenia: In a Letter from John Ellis, Esq; F. R. S. to Philip Carteret Webb, Esq; F. R. S. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 51, 1759/1760, pp. 929-935
  • An Account of the Male and Female Cochineal Insects, That Breed on the Cactus Opuntia, or Indian Fig, in South Carolina and Georgia: In a Letter from John Ellis, Esq; to Peter Wych, Esq. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 52, 1761/1762, pp. 661-667
  • An Account of an Encrinus, or starfish, with a Jointed Stem, Taken on the Coast of Barbadoes, Which Explains to What Kind of Animal Those Fossils Belong Called Star Stones, Asteriae, and Astropodia, Which Have been Found in Many Parts of This Kingdom: In a Letter to Mr. Emanuel Mendes da Costa, FRS By John Ellis, Esq; F. R. S. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 52, 1761/1762, pp. 357-365. online
  • An Account of the Sea Pen, or Pennatula phosphorea of Linnaeus; Likewise a Description of a New Species of Sea Pen, Found on the Coast of South Carolina, with Observations on Sea - pens in general. In a Letter to the Honourable Coote Molesworth, Esq; M. D. and F. R. S. from John Ellis, Esq; FRS and Member of the Royal Academy at Upsal. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 53, 1763, pp. 419-435. online
  • On the Nature and Formation of Sponges: In a Letter from John Ellis, Esquire, FRS to Dr. Solander, FRS In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 55, 1765, pp. 280-287. online
  • An Account of an Amphibious bipes; By John Ellis, Esq; F. R. S. To the Royal Society. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 56, 1766, pp. 189-192. online
  • Extract of a Letter from John Ellis, Esquire, FRS to Dr. Linnaeus, of Upsal, FRS on the Animal Nature of the genus of zoophytes, Called Corallina. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 57, 1767, pp. 404-428 - with Peter Woulfe; online
  • An Account of the Actinia Sociata, or Clustered Animal Flower, Lately Found on the Sea - Coasts of the New - ceded Islands: In a Letter from John Ellis, Esquire, FRS to the Right Honourable the Earl of Hillsborough, FRS In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 57, 1767, pp. 428-437 and 434-435 online
  • A Letter from John Ellis, Esquire, FRS to the President, on the Success of His Experiments for Preserving Acorns for a Whole Year without Planting Them so as to be in a state fit for vegetation, with a View to Bring Over Some of the Most Valuable Seeds from the East Indies, to Plant for the Benefit of Our American Colonies. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 58, 1769, pp. 75-79. - William Aiton; online
  • Observations on a Particular Manner of Increase in the animalcula of Vegetable Infusions, with the discovery of an indissoluble Salt Arising from Hemp Seed put into water Till It Becomes Putrid. By John Ellis, Esq; F. R. S. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 59, 1769, pp. 138-152. online
  • A Copy of a Letter from John Ellis, Esq; F. R. S. to Dr. Linnaeus, F. R. S. & c. With the Figure and Characters of That Elegant American Evergreentree, Called by the Gardiners the Loblolly Bay, Taken from Blossoms Blown Near London, and Shewing That It is not an Hibiscus, as Mr. Miller Calls It; Nor to Hypericum, as Dr. Linnaeus Supposes It; But at Intire New Genus, to Which Mr. Ellis Gives the Name of Gordonia. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 60, 1770, pp. 518-523 online
  • The Copy of a Letter from John Ellis, Esq; F.R.S. to Mr. William Aiton, Botanic Gardener to Her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales, at Kew, on a New Species of Illicium linnaei, or Starry Aniseed Tree, Lately Discovered in South Florida. In: Philosophical Transactions. Volume 60, 1770, pp. 524-531 online
  • On the Nature of the Gorgonia; That It is a real Marine Animal, and Not of a Mixed Nature, in between Animal and Vegetable. By John Ellis, Esq. FRS in a Letter to Daniel Solander, MDFRS In: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Volume 66, 1776, pp. 1-17 online
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