18th Century Vials... Seeds Of Scholars...

These bottles did not belong to Darwin, firstly because they predate him and secondly because the labels are handwritten in French. I can still imagine the harvesting work, the sampling lined up in trunks, the notebooks filled with writing relating many descriptions and details, in a somewhat dark cabin swaying everywhere. They had courage, these scientists, geographers, naturalists, botanists who accompanied distant expeditions, to the ends of the world. Seven blown glass vials, bearing the mark of their pontil, with the collar applied hot, escaped oblivion. They remained cloistered in a castle attic somewhere near Saint Malo. All have kept their original wax seal. Six bottles still have a label, and four are very readable: Bombay Peanuts (peanuts), Terffl America seeds (for clovers), Ceradille seeds from Porto Cabello (Venezuela), and Hamburg Ergot Rye. The last two I decipher "tin ores" and "coffee in Pickemin, St Homes Gana Africa" (my research gives the harvest by hand is called Picking...). The last silent bottle contains pods with unknown seeds. Measurements: heights 10cm diameter 5cm and 7cm x4cm for the smallest. Authentic testimonies, .... Emotions ....