Thanks for Swiss plants. Condolences on death of Smith's "particular friend", [James] Crowe. Requests that when Smith and [Dawson] Turner again examine plants bearing an external resemblance to known species that they do not "believe [their] eyes" without a more accurate examination.

[James] Dickson "pledges his reputation as a Cryptogamist" that the 'Dicranum' he [Rudge] sent is a new species and has nothing to do with 'D. varium'; characters of each; encloses two specimens examined by Dickson under microscope. Last summer found 'D. scottianum' on rocks near Tunbridge Wells, [Kent].

[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert has "perfectly recovered his health & spirits", and Sir Joseph Banks is better; he has not had a regular fit of gout but slight attacks in leg, knee, and arm, with an erisipalous appearance.

Received Smith's letter of 20 October [1807] today; has not yet received [Johann Baptist von] Albertini's "Conspectus Fungorum" from Germany; hopes Albertini will send a copy as he assisted in collecting materials for it. Encloses specimens of some of the fungi he sent for the work, and hopes to also send the copper plates.

Lists fungi he has found since his last letter to Smith: 'Boletus fimbriatus', 'B. mucidus', 'B. cinnabarinus', 'Thelephora hirsuta', 'T. calcea', 'T. polygonia', 'Tremella encephala', 'Agaricus amesthystinus', 'A. procenus', 'A. violaceus', 'A. fratensis', 'A. luridus', 'A. coccineus', 'A. conicus', 'A. poittacinus', 'A. seracius', 'A. punus', 'A. copinusdomesticus', 'A. frauncilus', 'A. caudicinus', 'A. semiglobatus', 'A. fascicularis', 'A. subdulcis', 'A. anuginosa', 'A. campestris', 'A. collinitus', 'Capninus extinclonius', 'C. candicans', 'Gymnopus latus', 'G. alboviolaceus', 'G. lactillacris', 'Boletus subtomentosus', 'B. fuscus', 'B. deofunctor', 'B. vitneus', 'B. hepaticus', 'Helvella cinerea' (very rare), 'Lycoperdon pratense', 'L. umbrinum', 'L. bovista', 'Filago rusa', 'Spumaria mucilago', 'Stemonitis ovala', 'S. fascicularis', 'Accidium tussilaginus', 'Amanila spadicea', 'Hydnum ochnaceum', 'Clavaria protensis', 'C. cornea', 'C. elurnia', 'C. mirani', 'Peziza sancoides', 'P. anomala', 'Sphaeria hypoxylon', S. digitata', 'S. fusca', 'S. poronia', 'S. deusta', 'S. doliolum', and 'S. disciformis'. Found all of the above with [Henry] Steinhauer at Kirklees Hall, the seat of Sir George Armitage.

Has sent Smith specimen of 'Anemone vernalis'. Will send a fern with the copper plates, variety of 'Cyathea fragilis' from Castleton, which he has been unable to find in "Flora Britannica", which he hopes will be completed.

Discusses his essay, "De Pisolitho", which he sent for Smith's opinion, and quoting of Scopoli's 'Lycoperdon arrizon' as a synonym for 'Pisolithus arenarius'; proposes naming it 'P. scopolii' [coloured drawing extant]. Apologises for delay in sending promised plates of [Johann Baptist von] Albertini's "Conspectus Fungorum", which his friend Mr Steinhaur will now do. Lists recent fungi he has found: 'Xyloma acerinum', 'Agaricus lactifluus var. deliciosus', 'Clavaria ericelorum', 'C. gyrans', 'Sphaeria militaris', 'Hydnum repandum', 'Peziza papillata', and 'Tremella auriformis'; always uses [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's names, despite some of them not seemingly appropriate for the plants they are meant to denominate.

He has minutely examined the fern mentioned in his last letter and concludes it is either new or a new variety, possibly of 'Aspidium spinulosum'. Found a variety of 'Blechnum boreale'; observations. Bolton's discovery of 'Hyminophyllum pyxidifenum'.

Coloured drawing labelled "'Pisolithus arenarius'.

Encloses two rare fungi he recently found [extant]: 'Xyloma pini' and 'Trichia reticulata', observations on his finding them. Thanks Smith for offer to send ferns; directions for sending. Will be glad to hear when the fourth part of "Flora Britannica" is published.

Two specimens, labelled, "'Trichia reticulata'" and "'Xyloma pini' Messrs de Albertini & de Schweiniz" [attached to JES/COR/26/26].

Has waited in vain for coloured copy of appendix to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's "Pinus" to send Smith. Returning manuscript of Linnaeus' Lapland tour with copies of all the cuts executed by Austin, who has noted the charge for each already done and those remaining.

Pleased that [William] Roscoe's paper has been accepted for current volume of "Linnean Transactions" and answers Macleay's queries regarding the paper: could find no drawing of 'Phrynium', "petalatoides" should be "petaloides", approves of Macleay's mode of arranging specific names, and suggests name 'Globba' instead of 'Colebrookea', with explanatory text.

Unable to leave for London today on account of severe weather and illness. Received "Linnean Transactions" vol 8: the shell paper "very valuable" but wonders "how some of [Richard] Salisbury's trash got admittance" instead of his own papers, especially that on 'Conchium'; criticises Salisbury's paper on a salt storm. Macleay right to leave Salisbury's "lying pamphlet" out of the list of presentations to the Society; agrees with [Samuel] Goodenough that it ought to be expelled but will leave it to the Society to decide. Upset at the Society's response to the matter, but does not intend to defend himself in "Transactions" as he will not put himself "on a footing with a man whom [he now has] materials to drive out not only of our Society but of all society".

Disagrees with Smith's opinion that 'Cyamus' is the bean of Pythagoras his followers were forbidden to eat. Transcribes his account of the plant for Smith to either suppress it or alter it, presumably before publication, explaining his reasoning with detailed reference to Herodotus and Theophrastus. Asks whether he or Smith is to take 'Cyathea'. Comments on the 'Cyathodes laurina' mentioned in [Edward] Rudge's paper in the 8th volume of "Linnean Transactions", supposing it to be new. Enquires whether the rumours as to Smith's brother Frederic marrying a lady of his own acquaintance are true.

Returns [Thomas] Hardwicke's paper and his own on 'Conchium' for "Linnean Transactions"; defends his choice of name and his belief in right to give names, as discussed in his forthcoming "Introduction to Botany". Thanks for forwarding box and letter from Ventenat from France, which contained sequel of Ventenat's "Jardin de la Malmaison" and Redoute's "Liliaces", Ventenat has requested plants. Surprised to receive anything from France considering the "awful condition we are in", but he does not despair. Enquires after box of living plants including 'Ophrys corallorhiza' sent by Edward Maughan from Edinburgh.

[Letter incomplete: second folio cropped, presumed destroyed]

Returns enclosed corrections; does not think the anatomical descriptions of animals ought to be "mutilated" in "Linnean Transactions"; "readers of zoology know what to expect". Objects to [Richard] Salisbury's paper "for bringing in forced illustrations that are needlessly indelicate, especially as all his writings shew that he does it with a malicious design to discredit the Sexual System of Linnaeus, as he always affects to call it". Asks Macleay to provide names for the species in the paper, as the Linnean Society should be committed to not omitting these, which "distinguish the works of true scientific naturalists". Gratified by Macleay's opinion of "Exotic botany".

Pleased his paper on the "Vitellus of seeds" is to be printed [in "Linnean Transactions"], afraid Council may find it too controversial. His paper on ferns intended only to be read, as he intends a more complete one for the Linnean Society.

Sending a turkey. Received request from [William George] Maton for papers for the Linnean Society, happy to comply. Maton has asked whether the reference to Eden in his preface [to his "Introduction to Botany"] alludes to [Richard] Salisbury and "Paradisus Londinensis", to which he answered the passage was first written for his introductory lecture of April 1805, before their dispute, but would write the same now, as he "neither go a step one way or the other to avoid or to meet him".

Sends a 'Potamogeton' for Smith's opinion, wary of [James] Sowerby's view that it is 'Potamogeton [heterophyllus]'. Describes in detail his "haemorrhage of the urinary tract" [hematuria]. Enquires after [Dawson] Turner and [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855), naturalist]. Questions Smith how the three specimens of 'Daviesia' sent to him correspond with entries in "Annals of Botany" and asks for specimens of the two other species of 'Daviesia', [Smith has annotated each question "yes"]. Sends specimens of 'Juncus', asks which is '[Juncus] articulatus'.

Thanks for portrait of Smith. Enjoyed meeting [Francis] Buchanan, introduced him to [James] Donn [(1758-1813) gardener]. Last proof sheet of "Hortus Cantabrigiensis" corrected this morning.

Account of his life at Caius College as an undergraduate, including details of his studies of Greek and the classics. A poem of his own composition, "Anglica fuse redditum" is appended on the final page.

Thanks Pleasance Smith for the "angels of pleasure" she sent, being what [Richard] Pulteney used to call letters "from those he esteemed". His experiences with poetry. Praises [James Edward] Smith's "Preface" [to "An Introduction to Physiological and Systematical Botany"].

Sends Cryptogams for determination.

Saw Lady de Clifford's Chinese botanical drawings, is hoping to buy the remaining half of the packet. Progress of the Marquess' [of Blandford, George Spencer-Churchill] garden at Whiteknights, [Reading, Berkshire], he has planted 85,000 foreign trees since Christmas. Has seen or dined with [Sir Abraham and Amelia] Hume, [Edward] Rudge, [William] Roscoe, Sir Joseph Banks, and Lord Seaforth. Sir Th[omas Gery] Cullum ill.

Asks Smith to review last sheet of his manuscript [on pines], notes that the appendix and plate of 'Dacrydium' is also ready for Smith, particularly wishes to know what Smith thought of his writing on 'Cupressus pendula' of [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Plants from Lord Seaforth's collection coming into flower including a 'Commersonia'. Shortly visiting the Marquess of Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)] at Longleat, [Somerset]. The Marchioness of Bath extremely interested in botany and is teaching it to her son. Has been exploring tumuli with Sir Richard Hoare, who is to publish "An account of Antient [sic] Wiltshire". Received letter from [Jacques-Julien de] Labillardière saying he is sending specimens of his New Holland [Australia] plants.

No longer needs Smith to correct the last sheets of his work [on pines]. Received [Alexander von] Humboldt's "Travels in South America", several "Annals of the Museum" with interesting papers by Corrêa [de Serra] on carpology, and a number of Humboldt's "Plantes Equin[octiales]" with figure on the Brazil nut, 'Bertholletia excelsa'. In his "Travels" gives an account of the 'Cusparia febrifuga' which produces the "Angustura bark of the shops", also figured in ["Plantae Aequinoctiales"]. In postcript "I see your friend [Richard Salisbury] has not forgot you in his last number of Para[disus Londinensis]".