Linnaean collections still disordered but Woodward welcome to consult it. Elder Linnaeus' herbarium in "perfect order" but the younger's is unarranged [Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), and Carl Linnaeus the Younger (1741-1783)]. Offers Woodward first refusal of the duplicate books. Discusses Murray's new edition [of "Systema vegetibilium"], which is a "faulty work", as is the "Supplementum plantarum". Has copy of Artedi for Woodward.

Details his preparations for visit to London to view the Linnaean collections; asks for a list of duplicate books. Discusses possible works that Smith could base on the collections, including a "Flora Britannica" and a selection of Linnaeus' correspondence. Supposes the new edition of "Systema vegetibilium" not as useful as the former, which is now scarce.

Details of his and [Robert] Stone's [(c 1751-1829), botanist] pending visit to London. Received [William] Hudson's specimen of 'Corrigiola' from [John] Pitchford; totally unlike 'Illecebrum verticillatum' of Vaillant's figure and "Flora dan[ica]".

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]

Thanks for Woodward's advice in his last letter; will guard his herbarium but give small displays. [William] Withering's polite behaviour in offering not to make use of the botanical information Smith gave him. [John] Lightfoot and Sir Joseph Banks have both offered Smith their herbariums and assistance for his intended "Flora Britannica". Keeping the fossils for the present and will not move the herbarium, but will bring the grasses to Norwich at the end of June with specimens of 'Orthoceras' and 'Anthericum calyculatum'. Jeans has none of Woodward's fossils. Going to Oxford to consult Dillenius' mosses and Rudbeck's "Campi Elysii" volume 1. Found [Robert] Stone's [(c 1751-1829), botanist] ticket to admit him, as Miss Taylor, into the British Museum.

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.

Confirms that Woodward's specimen of 'Orobanche' is Linnaeus' 'O. ramosa'. Cannot currently procure any of the plants Woodward requested and Leers' "Flora" not currently available in London. Returns the two 'Potamogeton' specimens with notes. 'Alopecurus ventricosus' of [William] Hudson is 'Milium lendigerum' Linnaeus; no specimen in Linnaean herbarium, but a specimen of same called 'Agrostis australis'; 'M. lendigerum' should be erased from Linnaeus' works. Comments on Woodward's specimens by comparison with Linnaeus, and other plants', including: 'Bromus secalinus', 'B. arvensis', 'B. erectus' of Hudson cannot be 'B. racemosus' of Linnaeus, has the specimen of 'Festuca avenacea' sent by Hudson to Linnaeus, 'Festuca repens', 'Carex limosa', 'Brassica muralis' is 'Sisymbrium catholicum', sends seeds of true 'Sisymbrium murale' from Chelsea [Physic] Garden.

Lately found history of his Chinese books and carved rhinoceros' horn in ["Amoenitates academicae"] vol 4. Glad Woodward likes the 'Oleum cajeput' but recommends camphor for cabinets. Not leaving for his tour of Europe until after seeing Sir Joseph Banks.

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'.

Encloses a pamphlet he has just printed [possibly "A dissertation on the sexes of plants" (1786)], requests Woodward's opinion. Requests accurate observations for Woodward's theory that 'Orobance [ramosa]' and 'Cuscuta' render barren the plants they parasitically attach to. Observations, from Linnaean herbarium, on 'Agrostis australis' and 'Milium lendigerum' being the same. Notes on 'Bromus erectus', 'Bromus racemosus', and 'Sisymbria murale' in Linnaeus' herbarium. Has learnt how to decipher most of Linnaeus' herbarium marks and has gone through the whole with Sir Joseph Banks.

[Botanical notes on address label on 'Cerastium latifolium', 'Sedum villosum', and 'Spergula pentandra', in Smith's hand]

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.

He has taken all his examinations and taking his degree tomorrow; pleased with Leyden and friendliness of [David] van Royen [(1727-1799)] and [Frédérique Louis] Allamand [(1735-1803)], but the garden is inferior to many in England. Amsterdam garden neater, but [Nicolaas Laurens] Burman [(1734-1793)] is evasive and "shelters his ignorance under his professional dignity". Spends his mornings with Royen looking over his herbarium, his uncle's, Herman's, [Paolo] Boccone's [(1633-1704)], and Ranwolf's; 'Conium royeni' is 'Caucalis daucoides'. Royen recently resigned Leyden botanical chair, reserving use of the garden, and wanted [Carl Peter] Thunberg to succeed him, but a young man of inferior skill was appointed instead [Sebald Justinus Brugmans (1763-1819), physician and botanist].

'Eryngium campestre' and 'Menyanthes nymphioides' only worthwhile wild plants seen so far. Dismisses his dissertation "de generatione" as "an exercise & a sketch". Disappointed by Amsterdam booksellers; his opinion of that town and Leyden. His future movements. Difficulty of finding Leers' "Flora".

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.

Thanks Woodward for his "excellent" drawing of 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; discusses other species including 'L. pedunculatum' and 'L. fraxineum'. Sorry Charles Bryant [(d 1799)] is publishing "his folly & obstinacy to the world"; intends to defer his own paper on the subject. Found 'Lycoperdon stellatum'; his observations, and a new species he is calling 'L. fragile'; definition.

Recently spent two months in Yorkshire and Westmoreland; found many lichens, sent some to [John] Pitchford. Planning an expedition to Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond, Taymouth, Blair, and Dunkeld. His future plans: will spend time in Norwich and London, graduate, and undertake a tour of Europe.

Dr [John] Walker [(1731-1803), Scottish minister and natural historian] has found plants in Scotland not in [John] Lightfoot, including: 'Rubus arcticus', 'Lysimachia thrysiflora', and "indubitable" 'Elymus arenarius'; comparison of latter with other specimens.

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].