Thanks for Smith's London hospitality and the valuable books. Notes on his specimens following comparison with Linnaean plants, including: 'Silene conica', 'Urtica baleanica', and 'Turritis hirsuta'. [John] Pitchford keen to compare Linnaeus' specimens with Ray's. [William] Withering does not expect information from the Linnaean collections and as Smith intends to publish offers to return the observations Smith previously sent. Smith's father wants Smith to finish his medical studies before doing anything with the collections; Woodward recommends publishing now so Smith's name as proprietor is known.

Recommends Smith leave the 3 herbarium cases at Norwich during his Edinburgh absence for security and so that he can compare the grasses for Smith; recommends not consulting [James] Crowe as he is unwilling to hear any difference of opinion. If he intends to recommends selling the fossils now; comments on fossils he wants from Jeans. [John] Lightfoot suggests that 'Saxifraga autumnalis' and 'S. aizoides' are the same. Requests specimen of 'Anthericum calyculatum', observations on 'Arenaria larcifolia' not being 'A. verna'.

Sends coloured drawing of 'Lycoperdon coliforme' [extant] from [William] Withering's "Botanical Arrangement", found near Bungay, [Suffolk]; observations with reference to [John] Ray's and [Joseph Pitton de] Tournefort [(1656-1708)] figures and descriptions; differences between 'L. fornicatum' and 'L. stellatum'. Dissatisfaction at [Charles] Bryant's [(d 1799)] forthcoming 'Lycoperdon' monograph [see RelatedMaterial below]. Discusses 'L. pedunculatum' of [William] Hudson with reference to Ray, Tournefort, and [Albrecht von] Haller [(1708-1777)], and 'L. fraxineum', 'L. pisiformis', 'L. nigram', 'L. varialossum', 'L. fuscum', and 'L. epidendum'.

Thanks for the books Smith acquired for him, particularly the "Plantae Capenses"; his own recent sales and acquisitions. Accepts offers of Scottish pebbles and marbles. Recommends [John] Latham's "History of Birds"; comments on vastness of modern discoveries in ornithology. Possible visitors to Smith in Edinburgh. Directions for sending books and specimens of lichens, 'Fucus', and 'Conferveae'.

Drawing of 'Lycoperdon coliforme' [on verso of first folio]

Replied to Smith's letter of 19 May [1785]. Remarks on Smith's proposed "Flora Britannica"; can wait for Smith to finish his Edinburgh studies to ensure it is perfect; convinced many plants not in [John] Lightfoot will be found in Scotland; Smith may finish before [William] Withering's ["Botanical arrangement"]. Withering publishing a pamphlet on medicinal properties of 'Digitalis'. Received [James] Dickson's "Fasciculus", remarks on plants: 'Hypnum stellatum', 'Targionia hypophylla', 'Sphaeria maxima', 'Lycoperdon fraxinum'. Dickson and Smith's Oxford journey postponed. Fossils: commissions Smith to purchase books for him.

Finds that the 'Melampyrum sylsaticum' in woods near Bungay is 'M. pratense'; 'Scleranthus perrenis' plentiful here and near Norwich. Minerals. Discusses Linnaean collections; glad Smith is not disposing of the fossils yet. Commissions for White's [bookseller]. Account of a balloon ascent at Norwich, by Mr Decker, in stormy conditions. He and [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] are to botanise on Suffolk coast in July.

Postscript at top of verso of first folio: has two young plants from seed of 'Rumex paludosus' from Dr [John] Hope's garden; observations.

[John] Pitchford sending Smith specimens of 'Orobanche ramosa'; observations and long character description. Received 'Oleum cajeput' from Pitchford. Ordered [Richard] Relhan's "Flora Cantabrigiensis" for Smith. Requests Schmidel's "de Buxkaumia" and Schreber's "de Phases" if he comes across them in Europe.

Replies to Smith's letter of 24 October [1785], having heard that Smith's Europe trip is postponed until spring. Further observations on 'Orobanche ramosa' he sent Smith and another parasitic plant in Huntingdonshire, 'Cuscuta'. Responds to remarks on plants in Smith's previous letter [see RelatedMaterial below], including: 'Milium lendigerum' being 'Agrostis australis', 'Bromus', 'Festuca repens', and [Charles] Bryant's [(d 1799)] 'Carex'. [Richard] Relhan to publish a Cryptogamic appendix to his "Flora [Cantabrigiensis]"; comments on 'Sphaeriae'. Comments on 'Sisymbrium murale' and 'S. catholicum'.

Sends specimens for [Samuel] Goodenough, including: 'Orobance ramosa' near Bungay; 'Lobelia urens' Shute Common, Devon; 'Galium pusillum' Matlock, Derbyshire; 'Melampyrum arvense' near Norwich, Norfolk; 'Marchantia conica' Bungay; 'Lycopodium alpinum' Old Man of Coniston, Lancashire, the hill evidently a former volcano; and 'Astriplex pedunculata'. Sends 'Orobance ramosa' for Sir Joseph Banks, [James] Dickson, and [William] Curtis and will send Banks Norwich specimen of 'Bromus arvense' when found. Sends Smith possible variety of 'Ervum tetraspermum'.

Examined [Albrecht von] Haller's plates and descriptions according to [William] Hudson's reference; notes. List of his Hudson desiderata: 'Poa alpinia', 'Juncus filiformis', 'Elatine alsinastrum', 'Orchis corioptore', 'Salyrium hircitrum', 'Carex limosa', and 'Carex strigosa' are marked. Sends Smith specimens of 'Marchantia conica'. His bookseller, T Miller, reports from Portland sale that lots sold cheap, that Da Costa was a great buyer, and Royal Admiral shells sold for £1 6s 9d each.

Remarks on Smith's comments in his previous letter on Amsterdam and Leyden; wonders whether [Nicolaas Laurens] Burman [(1734-1793)] reminded Smith of [William] Hudson. Compliments Smith's literary style in his letters and translations. Has failed to find 'Orobance ramosa' in hemp fields again. Books to acquire, including Leers' "Flora", Schreber's "de Phasco", [Schmidel's] "Dissertio de Buxkaumia", and Bulliard's plates ["Histoire des champignons" (1791-1812)]. News of mutual East Anglian friends. Asks if Broussonet intents to publish any more of "Icthyology".

Replies to Smith's letters of 2 October [1786] and 12 February [1787]; pleased that Smith still thinks of his Norwich friends; thanks for Bulliard [plates for "Histoire des champignons" (1791-1812)] and offer of Leers' "Flora". Comments on [Anders Jahan] Retzius' [(1742-1821)] output. Thanks for 'Gnaphalium luteo-album' and 'Agrostis minima'. Smith's access to so many famed herbariums like "taking a journey to Jupiter or Saturn". Smith's 'Senecio acanthifolius' must be "magnificent". If Smith travels through Switzerland recommends consulting [Albrecht von] Haller's [(1708-1777)] herbarium as useful for a "Flora Anglica" considering so many Swiss plants are native to England. Comments on Smith's account of his travels, including visit to [Louis] Gerard, time in Genoa with Marquis [Ippolito Durrazo], Florence, and [Lazzaro] Spallanzani's [(1729-1799), Roman Catholic priest and natural historian] disgrace, and the non-reviews of Smith's tract attacking "so great a personage".

Has not found any new cryptogamia this winter but [James] Dickson's expedition to Scotland produced 150 new species of mosses, jungermanniae, and lichens, though many were lost when [James] Crowe's portmanteau was stolen. Saw Smith's mother in Norwich who informed him of [Robert] Batty's relapse, including vomiting blood. An election declared void on account of bribery by House of Commons following petition by Sir T Beever, details of reelection. Death of his father-in-law, Mr Manning; short confinement after long decline from diabaetes.

Heard of Smith's arrival in Paris, agreeable tour to Mount Cenis, and travels in the Alps; discusses Saussure's "Voyage dans les Alps"; thanks for promise of Alpine specimens to complete English series. Will show [James] Pitchford Smith's account of 'Malampyrum sylvaticum', though is convinced the other is 'M. pratense'; infallibility of [John] Ray and [William] Hudson. [James] Crowe found 3 specimens of 'Ophyrs loeselii' on St Faith's bogs, [William] Sole found them near Cambridge, roots sent to [William] Curtis and [James] Dickson.

Difficulties of Dickson's new Scottish botanical discoveries. Keen to learn more about 'Fucus', at Cromer, [Norfolk], saw 'Ulva plumosa', 'Ulva fistulosa', and 'Fucus verracosa'; observations. Discusses acquisition of books: Leers' "Flora", Retzius' fasciculus, and Bulliard's plates ["Histoire des champignons" (1791-1812)].

Discusses Smith's living arrangements for near future. Asks Smith to pick up parcel from [William] Withering for him; contains a variety of 'Carex panicea'. List of London commissions for Smith to carry out for him including books and desiderata list [extant, 4 pages of plant names, some have been marked].

Smith's imminent establishment of a botanical society [Linnean Society, founded 1788]; discusses possibility of writing a paper on 'Lycoperdon' and difficulties of its current classification, and suggests additional paper on 'Cryptogamia'. Message for [Samuel] Goodenough: waiting for response from his Yarmouth, [Norfolk], friend on 'Fucus'.

Thanks for Smith's letter and parcel of specimens, including 'Ophryis loeselii' and two other 'Orchideae'; sent it on to [John] Pitchford, who lectured him for making a joke about Lent; thanks for Retz and Bulliard works. Received Hedwig's work on mosses; his opinion. Requests Smith's opinion of variety of 'Carex panicea' in the parcel from Robinson's. Requests Smith's notes on 'Lycoperdon', particularly 'L. pistillace'; still thinks 'carpobolus' is distinct from 'Lycoperdon' and that [James] Dickson's 'Mucor urceolatus' and this should form new genus under 'Carpobolus'.

Anticipates Smith's "Introductory discourse" [to Linnean Society]; wonders whether to write on 'Lycoperdon' to correct [Charles] Bryant's [(d 1799)] mistakes. Mrs Woodward thanks Smith for the "holy chaplet". [James] Crowe has estranged himself over the election. Attempts to acquire 'Fucus' specimens.

[In postscript on recto of second folio] asks whether 'Astragalus arenarius' of [William] Hudson is 'A. epiglottis' of Linnaeus; observations.

Asks after Smith's "botanical institution" [Linnean Society]; understands they met at Smith's house and that Smith's introductory discourse was well received. Still waiting on Smith's 'Lycoperdon' notes so he can write paper on the genus; justifies his decision to focus on only British species. Sends parcel of a few marine plants for [Samuel] Goodenough, asks for his and Smith's opinion. [John] Pitchford has the true 'Fucus pinnatus' of [William] Hudson but convinced it is 'cartilagineus' of Hudson in fructification. Sends Goodenough specimens of common brown 'Fucus' of Yarmouth beach; observations on its "newness", specimen enclosed for Smith [envelope extant but specimen missing, labelled 'Fucus subsuscus', located 18.74].

Hopes Smith has recovered from his illness. Would prefer to be a Fellow rather than Associate of the Linnean Society; requests information and rules of the Society. Pleased by Smith's short paper on the irritability of plants. Postponing writing his 'Lycoperdon' paper until the winter; requests Smith's notes and transcript of Dillenius on 'Bovista'.

He and [John] Pitchford searched in vain for 'Ophrys loeselii' in St Faith's bogs, which have been improved and drained, but found new habitat for 'Carex limosa'; [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] found 'Carex strigosa', a "capital addition" to the Norfolk flora. Received four specimens of 'Algae': 'foeniculaceus' of Gmelin and [William] Hudson; 'Abies marina' of Gmelin but erroneously labelled; a non-descript 'Fucus'; and a non-descript 'Conferva'; observations on all. A recently published figure of [Louis] Gerard's 'Thesium alpinum' does not resemble the Suffolk plant, asks for comparison with Linnaean herbarium. Requests specimens of 'Equisetum sylvaticum', 'Mentha villosa', and 'M. sylvestris'. Asks if 'Fucus pyriferus' Linnaeus is Sir Joseph Banks' 'Fucus giganteus'.

Confirms his intention to become a FLS and sends specimens for their herbarium, including 'Carex strigosa' for Smith and Goodenough, and 'Fucus', including: specimen resembling [William] Hudson's 'F. obtusus' and 'Ulva filiformis'; a 'Conferva'; and others. Discussion of 'Lycoperdon epiphyllum' and 'Serrhula arvenii', latter observed as parasitic in bean fields. Requests specimens of Smith's Matlock plants, including 'Lichens'. Discusses figures of 'Thesium alpinum'.

Asks after botanical publications, including Bulliard's "Champignons", Leers' "Flora", and Bolton's "Fungi", errors with the latter. Sends parcel of seeds of 'Carex strigosa' for [William] Curtis. Attended [Thomas William] Coke's "magnificent fête" at Holkham on 5 November; the newspaper reports were not exaggerated. All anxious for news of the King [George III (1738-1820)], whose illness has been "universally deplored".

Replies to Smith's letters of 23 January [1789] and 8 February [1789]; thanks for parcel of plants, including 'Ecinophora spinosa', no longer considered a British plant, and the 'Cryptogamia'. Requests 'Ligusticum cornubiense' lately found in Cornwall. Thanks for [Dillenius] transcript from "Catalogus [plantarum sponte circa] Gissam"; has not made further progress with his 'Lycoperdon' but sends another paper on 'Fucus subsuscus' [see RelatedMaterial below] inspired by letter from [Samuel] Goodenough. Comments on new paper, which includes additional notes on 'Ulva plumosa', but not a new 'Ulva'; observations on this. Discusses 'Fucus setaceus', a possible new species, and other marine plants.

Will send Linnean Society specimens of 'Polypodium phegopteris', 'P. dryopteris', 'Galium boreale', and 'Carex strigosa'. Approves of Smith's plan and reasons for an "Observationes botanicae" instead of a "Flora Anglica". Offers to write account of 'Fucus hypoglossum', after acquiring permission of Sir Joseph Banks. The unexpected recovery of the King [George III (1738-1820)] "transfer'd his disorder to the nation, such universal uproar is occasion'd by it"; illuminations in Norwich; describes Bungay's alternative more muted celebrations. Discusses doubts over 'Carex caespitosa' and 'C. gracilis'.

Discusses his figure of 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; would like a specimen of Smith's 'L. fragile'. Describes [James] Dickson's method for preserving fungi. Found 'Hydnum infricatum'; observations, sent specimen of that and 'Agaricus' species to Dickson. Unfavourable season for fungi. Added 'Leonurus cardiaca' and 'Alopecurus ventricosus' to the Norfolk flora. Has a specimen of 'Lysimachia thrysiflora' but would be glad to see the true 'Elymus arenarius'; previously saw [James] Crowe's and [William] Curtis' specimens.

Asks after the mineral specimens Smith offered to procure for him. Has acquired copies of [Sébastien] Vaillant's [(1669-1722)] "Botanicon parisiense" and Phillip Miller's copy of [Pietro Antonio] Micheli's [(1679-1737)] "Nova genera plantarum".

Thanks for box of books, especially the [Leonard] Plukenet [(1642-1706), botanist], marbles and pebbles, and plant specimens. Discusses the specimens, including plants: 'Aralea', 'Sitbaldier', 'Acrostichum septentrionale', 'Gnaphalium alpinum', 'Silene acaulis', 'Empetrum nigrum'; requests 'Saxifraga nivalis', 'Saxifraga caespitosa', and 'Ranunculus reptens'; lichens, including: 'Lichen laratus', 'L. pubescens', 'L. plumbius', 'L. ventosus', and 'L. gildius'; gathered 'L. omphaloides', 'L. scrobiculatus', 'L. geographicus'; and 'Juncus', including 'J. spicatus', 'J. campestris', 'J. biglumis', also the 'Arundo epigeios' he sent Smith. Smith's 'Lycoperdon' is clearly new.

Charles Bryant [(d 1799)] published and dedicated his pamphlet to Sir Joseph Banks; thinks Banks cannot have read it as he sent a letter of thanks, and in doing so "prostituted his pen", especially as he is the "present head of English botanists"; Bryant's errors.

Lists his Lightfoot desiderata. Has not said anything on the mosses Smith sent; [John] Pitchford thinks Smith's 'Fontinalis pennater' is 'Hypnum crispum'. 'Fontinalis squamosa' or 'F. minor' appears to be 'F. antipgretica'.

Thanks for specimens sent with letter of 3 February, including the asbestos; remarks on its unsuitability for cloth and similarity to a newly discovered Derbyshire stalactite known as “hair fossil”, requests specimen of other asbestos called "leather". Lichens found by [James] Crowe, [John] Pitchford, and himself: 'Lichen fascicularis' and 'L. tremelloides'. He and [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] found 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; their observations. A probable 'Lycoperdon' found by Mr Humphreys; observations, including similarities to 'Phallus impudicus' and 'Lycoperdon bovista'. Lists plants and lichens for Smith to look for in Westmoreland on his journey into England, hopes he will go the mountain the Old Man of Coniston for 'Carex capitata'; lists other plants found there.

Thanks for the "Monachologia", the truth in which must have "extremely enraged" the gentry concerned; reactions of [John] Pitchford, [James] Crowe, and [Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist]. [James] Dickson's work on 'Cryptogams' progressing; Sir Joseph Banks is engraving the plates for him; 'Lycoperdon phalloides' is to be included; thinks 'Lycoperdon coliforme' should be; [William] Withering's reasons for not figuring it in his own cryptogamic plant catalogue. Withering thanks Smith for his paper, he knew of Smith from Dr Stokes. Severe frost, which has brought out a great variety of wild fowl, identified with [Thomas] Pennant. New fasciculus published by [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet.

Sending Smith proofs of first sheet of [William] Withering's work, for Smith's comments; his own opinion; discusses pronunciation and accenting of trivial names; [John] Pitchford will be unimpressed that Withering has not inserted [John] Ray's synonyms. Thanks for 'Ulva umbilicalis'. Received a lichen from Devonshire, where many of the Scottish ones grow.