Printer lacks copy for current volume of "Linnean Transactions", and papers on humblebees and Correa's on 'Doryanthus' are missing. Will arrange for [Erik] Acharius and Dr Westring to be proposed as FMLS. [Thomas] Marsham just set off on tour through Wales, he desires Smith to solicit [James] Crowe for his subscription to the Linnean Society charter. The charter with currently with the Attorney and Solicitor General.

Sending 'Phascum' specimens; his method for keeping them. Finds that most botanists have confounded 'P. multicapsulare', 'P. aphyllum', and 'P. stoloniferum' under 'P. acaulon'; observations.

Sends 'Bryum canceolatum' by request, also 'P. muticum', 'P. acaulon', 'P. bryoides', 'Lichen narius' of Hoffmann, 'L. punctiformis', 'P. curviocollum'; a "singular production", 'P. scandens'.

Thanks for specimen of 'Hypnum smithii' and opinion on 'Phascum' specimens he sent Smith; observations on these, including possible new species of stemless 'crispum', 'P. aphyllum' different from 'P. muticum', 'P. bryoides'. Approves of name 'Salix russelliana'. Finds that the 'P. scandens' is 'Mnium annotinum' Linnaeus; sends specimen in fruit; observations. Sends specimens of 'Lichen punctiformis', and 'Lichen luteus' Withering, which grows on bark of pollard ashes. Also sends 'Bryum rusescens'.

["Spec. 1" annotated in pencil at top of verso of folio]

Sends specimens of 'Salix rubra' and 'S. fissa'; inclined to think they are sexual varities; his reasons. Encloses specimen of 'Erodium moschatum' gathered Ampthill Warren; will send specimens of 'Salix russelliana' catkins when in flower; sent [James] Sowerby 'Mnium annotinum', transcribes comments by Dawson Turner on this, who thinks it 'Trentepohlia' Hoffmann and now calls 'Surculum bulbiferum'. Encloses specimens of 'Lichen psora' [extant] and 'Bryum flavescens', found near Clapham Park Wood, new to England.

Specimen labelled 'Lichen psora'.

Thanks for Smith's "Tour"'. Comments on sermon by Smith's friend Houghton. Hopes to see Smith soon.

Sends 'Primula' for [James] Sowerby; first sent to him 2-3 years ago; rare in Bedfordshire and Worcestershire pastures and orchards; called the black cowslip; credits Mrs Abbot with its discovery. Sends specimens of female 'Salix russelliana' catkins and 'Bryum fragile' [James] Dickson from Aspley Wood.

Relieved to hear of recovery in Smith's health. Encloses specimen of either Smith's 'Scirpus multicaulis' or 'S. viviparous', found Ampthill Bog. Previously sent it to [James] Sowerby with a Cyptogamous plant Sowerby named 'Blasia pusilla'.

["Spec. 3" annotated in pencil at top of verso of folio]

Received [James] Crowe's and Smith's subscriptions for Linnean Society charter.

He has just finished 'Mammalia' for his ["Animal biography"], his present authorities are Gmelin's "Systema naturae", [Thomas] Pennant's "British Zoology", Pennant's "Synopsis of Quadrupeds", and [George] Shaw's "Arctic Zoology"._x000D_

Has chosen title "Sketches of Nature, descriptive principally of the Economy of the animal and vegetable kingdoms", manuscripts now in London._x000D_

Transcription of specimen passages for his "Synopsis of British Zoology", for criticism [2 pp]._x000D_

Intends to visit North Wales again, prior to publication of second edition of his tour; expects to receive assistance from [Hugh] Davies, and would like to access Pennant's papers; will send [James] Sowerby rare plants.

Sends specimen pages of the manuscript for his new 4 volume work on Natural History, for Smith's opinion; the "tribunal of the public is a somewhat awful one to young writers". The arrangements principally adopted from Gmelin's ["Systema naturae"], [George] Shaw's "General Zoology", and [John] Latham's "Synopsis [of birds]"

Thanks for Smith's criticisms and approval of his manuscript; his intention for it not to claim attention but to be useful. Altered the section on bats following Smith's comment that he had made free with [George] Shaw's work. Preparing second edition of his Welsh tour; spent four months there this summer; intends to include sketch of [Thomas] Pennant's life in style of anecdote, which seems to lay "the greatest hold on the attention of the public".

Thanks for first 2 volumes of "Flora Britannica". Gave the seeds of British plants sent by Smith to Mr John McKay; Dr Rutherford pleased, has made many changes to the interior of the Botanic Garden. Notes on horned cattle. Account of [James] Playfair's [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] findings from his study of honey bees, particularly regarding drones. Great changes in the Edinburgh Natural History Society this winter, which is now entirely experimental chemistry. Dr Waltner extremely ill. College classes well attended.

Has been in Fife but did not find any plants of interest. Dr Rutherford ill this season; hopes it is not serious on account of the great contributions he has made. Dr Waltner continues very ill. Joy of the country; "peace and the prospect of plenty shines in every face".

Communicated Smith's favourable opinion on [James] Playfair [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] experiments on honey bees and drones to Playfair; further details of this, including frustrations of establishing experimental hive. Charles Morse very agreeable young man. His and Smith's opinions of war and peace accord. Health of McKay, Dr Rutherford, and Dr Waltner. Industry of [George] Don; if Sir Joseph Banks gave him £100 a year he would make many more discoveries.

Sending small parcel of plants, numbered descriptions and observations of the specimens, including: 'Lichen hymenis', 'L. gelasinatus', 'L. calvus', 'Sphaeria gregaria', 'L. polyrhiza', 'L. vernalis', 'L. scriptus', 'L. ripicola', 'Peziza bicolor' [Smith has annotated many in pencil and ink].

Has found 'Scandix adorata' in Yorkshire; probable that 'Turritis hirsuata' is taken for 'Cardamine bellidifolia'; glad his 'Saxifraga palmata' proves to be variety of 'S. hypnoides'; 'Lycoperdon stellatum', 'Lycoperdon fornicatum', and 'Lycoperdon recolligens' grow abundantly in his neighbourhood; has found 'Agaricus alneus'. Intends to send [James] Sowerby duplicates of the lichens.

Descriptions of two new species of 'Carex' [Smith has annotated "'C. acuta' JES" in left-hand margin of verso of first folio and "var. of 'ampullacea'? JES or a mule?" at top of recto of first folio]. Has found 'Dianthus barbatus' growing indigenous in Studley Woods. Discussion of 'Carex gracilis', which he took to be 'C. lavigata'. Has found 'Actaea spicata', 'Ribes petraum', 'Lichen saluminus'. Catalogue [extant] of 'Carex' and 'Lichen' species growing locally; offers to send specimens of any and requests specimens of any not listed.

[Letter incomplete: top third of second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Sent plants to [James] Sowerby, listed, with details of habitats, including: 'Mentha gentilis', 'Hieracium umbellatum', 'Impatiens noli-tangere', 'Mentha arvensis', 'Poa distans'. Has found but not sending specimens of 'Bromus secalinus', 'Bromus multiflorus', 'Hypericum lubium'; has specimens in herbarium of 'Potentilla aurea', resisted persuasion to call it 'P. verna'. Asks if the fern he encloses is the 'Cyathea incisa' of "English botany" [Smith has annotated "'fragilis'"].

Received balance of Smith and [James] Crowe's subscriptions to Linnean Society charter. He has been at Dover, [Kent], and all along the coast to Margate. [George] Shaw returned Huber's paper "without altering it in the least degree".

Dispatched Professor [Eugen Johann Christoph] Esper's [(1742-1810)] FMLS diploma several months ago. Congratulates Smith on the return of peace [between Britain and France] with the ratification of the preliminaries [of the Treaty of Amiens, signed 25 March 1802]; "the mob" took the horses from the Consuls carriage and drew them home.

Asks after the Linnean Society's charter, understanding that had been at Weymouth to received the royal signature. Received letter from Dr Walter Wade of Dublin informing him of discovery of 'Eriocaulon septangulare' in Ireland, never before seen outside the Isle of Skye; details of Wade's habitat; encloses specimen for the Society.