Anxious for news of Smith. Introduces Dr Signuel, bearer of this letter. Sending [Carl] Thunberg's most recent dissertations, completing collection of his "academic specimens". Sending work on Greek 'Staphylini' for Smith, [Jonas] Dryander, and [Sir Joseph] Banks. Requests recent "Materia medica".

Thanks for Smith's letter of 7 September [1789] and parcel of books; unfortunately several were damaged in sinking of boat. Smith's "Plantarum Icones" confirms that Smith has become Linnaeus' successor and scientific heir. Sent Smith complete set of Thunberg's "Dissertations"; will endeavour to find volume 4 of "Transactions of Royal Academy of Uppsala" and [Olof] Swartz' "Prodromus West Indies". Introduces [Adam] Afzelius, who should be in London by now