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.

Asks if the 'Fucus fastigiatus' of the Linnaean herbarium has any fruit on it as described in "Linnean Transactions" vol 3 p200, and if so requests smallest sample possible in order to draw it under microscope; he has made some important discoveries respecting fructification in this species and its affinities.

Requests to become a subscriber of "Flora Graeca". Does not wish the remaning volume of "Flora Anglica" ["Flora Britannica"?] to come out until the modern cryptogamists are more advanced. Has much to add to the physiology of 'Fucus' from parcels of winter specimens in fruit sent from Cornwall, Bognor, [Sussex], and the Isle of Wight.