Thanks for present of game. For his paper on ferns asks Woodward whether he prefers the genus they agreed, 'Asplenium nodosum', not common in gardens, or 'Trichomanes canariense', which is; if Woodward chooses the 'Asplenium' he will name the other 'Davallia', otherwise will call the 'Asplenium' 'Porocarpus'.

Continuing work on his "Tour of the Continent"; has been "very ample" in his account of [Jean Jacques] Rousseau [(1712-1778), philosopher] and had intended to attempt an apology for him until seeing Capel Lofft's [(1751-1824), radical editor and writer] "most eloquent & sufficient" defence of him against [Edmund] Burke [(1730-1797), politician]. Recently received many specimens from Botany Bay; difficulty of settling natural order of some. Second fasciculus of "Icones pictae" printing and last two fasciculus of Dickson's "dried plants" will complete the work. 'Ligusticum cornubiense' figured in next fasciculus of "Icones pictae". Sorry for recurrence of Woodward's old complaint, urges him to come to London for medical advice.

Thanks for Pulteney's letter of 4 [Dec 1791] and bill. Discusses arrival of remaining prints for first volume of Cavanilles' ["Icones et descriptiones plantarum quae aut sponte in Hispania crescunt"]. Gaertner dead, unclear if his 5 remaining "Centuriae" will be published. Laments death of Dr Pictairn, said that his collection will be sold.

Note in Davall's hand that this letter was received 13 January 1792.

Acknowledges receipt of Davall's letters of 6 November, with seeds, and 2 December, and parcel of plants via Mr Mandrot. Observations on plants, ordered by Greek letters: 'Trifolium rubens' HL, 'Trifolium pratense' HL, 'Trifolium alpestre' HL, 'Trifolium filforme' HL, 'Astragalus cicer' Linnaeus, 'Serapias palustris' HL, 'Potentilla norvegica' HL, 'Gnaphalium sylvaticum', 'Filago germanica' HL, 'Crepis dioscorides' HL, 'Festuca', 'Cuscuta europaea', 'Veronica hybrida' HL, 'Centaurea paniculata' HL, 'Campanula rhomboidalis', 'Thalictrum lucidum', 'Geranium sanguineum', 'Geranium rotundifolium', 'Lotus maritimus' HL, 'Sisymbrium murale' HL, 'Cheiranthus alpinus' Jacquin, 'Sium latifolium' HL, 'Lychius quadridentata' HL, '[Lychius] alpestris' HL, 'Silene alpestris' "Hortus Kewensis" and Jacquin.

Observations on plants, ordered by Roman letters: '[Arenaria] ciliata', 'Anemone sulphurea', '[Thlaspi] alpestre' HL, 'Erysimum cheiranthoides' HL, 'Lathyrus cicera' HL, 'Lathyrus palustris' HL, 'Orchis palustris' Jacquin, 'Acrostichum ilvense' Hudson, 'Acer opalus', 'Lavatera punctata', and 'Carduus crispus' HL.

Responds to Davall's letter of 6 November: pleased by his approval of first volume of "Linnean Transactions" but thinks his scheme for Linnean Society figuring plants not feasible; has not heard from [Werner de] Lachenal [(1736-1800)] or [Dominique] Villars, and Villars may have heard of his 'Arenaria' from Professor Wiborg at Copenhagen; thanks for seeds, gave most to Fairbairn and some to [William] Aiton [(1731-1793)]; [William] Curtis angry with Smith for helping [James] Sowerby with "English Botany" as he thinks it infringes on his domain, he owes Sowerby £50 and is a "man of very unsound principle, & a bad temper at bottom"; [Edward] Forster sorry Davall is not impressed with the specimens he sent, which he thought very valuable; does not know Davall's lichen 46, and 48 is found in England on Charlton Church and used to be called 'Lichen cretaceus'; will send on "English Botany" and box of lichens.

Responds to Davall's letter of 2 December: distressed by Davall's ill health, essential for him to exercise, asks if fruit is laxative or not for him and whether red port makes him costive; thanks Davall for enabling exchange of lichens with with [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure [(1740-1799)]; will write to [Carlo] Bellardi; wishes to settle about 'Davallia' as what he intended is a 'Trianthema', asks if he would prefer 'Trichomanes canariense' or an Indian genus from his uncoloured icones.

His brother Richard spending the winter in a lodging by himself, "doing nothing, & burying good taste & abilities in mere sloth". Lady Rockingham in good health. Many seeds from Botany Bay lately.