On 30 December 1760 Linnaeus had received Antoine Gouan’sGouan, Antoine (1733-1821).
French. Botanist, Montpellier. Student
under Sauvages. Director of the
botanical garden in 1767, later
professor of botany and medicine.
Although an admirer of Linnaeus he tried
to develop a hybrid of his system of
classification. Correspondent of
Linnaeus. letter [Gouan to Linnaeus, 18 December 1760Letter L2833].

Linnaeus sees that Gouan is busy working with the systematics of fish. Gouan had asked about some of Artedi’s fishes. However, Linnaeus cannot answer, since he does not have Lister’s work on fish at hand. However, Linnaeus knows for sure that Peter Artedi’sArtedi, Peter (1705-1735).
Swedish. Ichtyologist. Close friend of
Linnaeus. Cyprinus no. 19 is Linnaeus’s Cyprinus albanus no. 23, as can be seen in Systema naturae, 10th editionLinnaeus, Carl Systema
naturae, 10th edition (Stockholm
1758-1759). Soulsby no. 58. . Linnaeus is certain that Capriscus is a species of Balistes, but he does not know whether it is Balistes vetula or another species of Balistes.

Linnaeus has not seen Balistes scolopax. He has often wondered why Artedi put Scolopax in the genus Balistes. He hopes that Gouan will define this fish.

Linnaeus does not know where the rumour regarding an expedition to Spain originates. People from France, Italy and Spain have written to him about it. However, there has been no letter of invitation. He therefore concludes that it is all a mistake.

Linnaeus has received Roche’s [Linnaeus means Bartolomo Giambattista RoncoRonco, Bartolomo Giambattista
Italian. ] seeds. If Linnaeus knew where Ronco was, he would write and thank him. Linnaeus has not seen Ronco’s Manettia. He would like to know what genus it belongs to in order to insert it in his Systema naturae.