Congratulates Smith on arrival of the Linnaean collections; considering visiting London to see them. Understands that the Linnaean mosses have thrown the British mosses into "entire confusion", and expects the same for the grasses, Umbelliferous, and Syngensious plants, and 'Salix'.

Received letter from [James] Dickson on 'Lycoperdon coliforme', which he is including in ["Fasciculus plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae"]; asks if Smith has seen [James] Sowerby's drawing of the specimen he sent. Asks how numerous 'Fucus' are in comparison to number in "Systema vegetibilium", and whether it is worth buying the new edition. If Smith disposes of any book duplicates requests [Peter] Artedi.

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'.

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.

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'.

Sending several good specimens of 'Myriophyllum verticillatum'; observations.

[Note in Smith's hand:] "right JES".

All eager for information on the arrangement, presentation, and contents of Linnaean collections. [Edinburgh] Natural History Society continues to flourish; increasing membership; account of a recent meeting including debate on Linnaeus. Account of a recent meeting at the Medical Society, including debate on medical methods.

Linnaeus' manuscripts "a very great acquisition, [...] the world may wonder that such a collection was ever permitted to leave the country in which it was made"; expecting another volume of "Amoenitates academicae" from Smith. Asks Linnaeus' motive for crediting his dissertations to others, suspects vanity. Praises [James] Dickson, bearer of Smith's letter; hosted him before he left for Highland expedition; account of his time in Edinburgh. Comments on Smith's decision to gain degree from Leyden; "an Edinburgh degree is far superior to & more honorable than any other".

Congratulates Smith on his election as FRS. Discusses recent publications by Sparrman and [Richard] Relhan. Account of debate with Dr [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician] concerning latter's "joy at seeing commencement of the attack on Linnaeus' system".

Accepts invitation to see the Linnaean collections. Scarcely knows more than the outlines of botany, his interests being ornithology and entomology.

Pleased the Linnaean collections answer Smith's expectations. A "Flora Britannica" needed to correct errors amongst English botanists and the false Linnaean names. Unable to accept Smith's invitation to Chelsea.

[William] Hudson has found 'Corrigiola littoralis' on coast of Devon. Lord Bute has begun printing his [botanical] work, and has presented a copy to the Queen [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)].

Thanks for Smith's civilities in London. Encloses a plant from [Thomas] Woodward; observations on its possible classification. Notes on 'Matricaria' and 'Chenopodium'.

Congratulates Smith on acquisition of the Linnaean collections. Informs Smith the sale was settled with [Johan Gustaf] Acrel for 900 guineas just before Sibthorp offered 1000 guineas. Swedes angry with Acrel selling the collection. Recommends Smith visits Göttingen. Asks Smith to send [Joseph] Black's "Lectures on [the elements of] Chemistry". Requests catalogue of Linnaeus' books. Message for [Jonas] Dryander that Sir Joseph [Banks] could acquire much of his desiderata at an upcoming auction by Professor Spielman in Strasbourg. Message for [John] Lightfoot that he has almost a complete collection of the terrestrial and fresh water shells of Switzerland to send to the Duchess of Portland [Margaret Cavendish Bentinck (1715-1785) wife of 2nd Duke of Portland].

Botanical news: asks if [James Dickson] has published his "Lyncean discoveries"; informed by [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet of a 'Rosa unifolia' from Ispahan, Persia, in the Paris garden; presumes first part of L'Héritier's "Plant. Rarior" is almost ready; [Carl Peter] Thunberg has been examining 'Bohun upas' which he believes to be a species of 'Sideroxylon'; believes Ferber will succeed to chair of Bergman; [Johann Christian Daniel von] Schreber is writing monograph on 'Aster' and dissertation on 'Boletus suaveolens'; flora and fauna of Lombardy expected from [Giovanni Antonio] Scopoli; [Werner de] Lachenal [(1736-1800)] and [Horace Bénédict de] Saussure [(1740-1799)] collecting materials for a natural history of Switzerland. Is in Göttingen as a practitioner and observing use of medicinal plants including experimenting with 'Caryophyllata' and as the hospital is run by "a pupil of Vienna" so 'Cicuta', 'Arnica', and 'Pulsatilla' are in constant use.

Sends plants for comparison with Linnaean specimens; congratulates Smith on acquiring the collection; would purchase it if Smith should want to sell it.

Sends figures of foregoing plants, also an "Atraphaxis".

Sends plants for determination.

Sends "Atraphaxis"; exchange of duplicates.

Captain Cook's and other expeditions rich in results; expected return of Desfontaines; Lamarck's collections.

The Duchess of Portland [Margaret Cavendish Bentinck (1715-1785) wife of 2nd Duke of Portland] pleased to see Smith's collection, thanks for her presents. Offers to support Smith's candidature at Royal Society. Asks Smith to examine 'Murex ambiguus', 'Murex despectus', and 'Murex corneus' of Linnaeus.

[Part of second folio cropped, no significant information appears to be missing]