Sending specimens of 'Arundo neglecta', 'Rottboellia filiformis', very rare, 'Silene alpestre', and non-descript 'Poa'; observations. Observes what Goodenough says about 'Viola', there seem to be 3 species under name 'V. canina'. Does not think 'Arundo neglecta' can be what [John Leonard] Knapp has drawn for 'A. calamagrostis'; supposes he has received better 'Rubus' specimens from [Charles] Lyell.

Detailed observations on 'Avena', particularly 'A. pubescens' and a new glaucous one. Found new species of 'Aira' by the sea. Could not find 'Chaerophyllum'. Seeds for 'Galium witheringia' all gone for this year, but will collect seed next year as it is a common plant here. Sorry to disagree with Goodenough on the 'Gnaphalium'. Encloses seeds of two varities of 'Daucus mauritanicus'.

Desires Goodenough's opinion on remainder of the plants he sent via Lyell. Sent [James] Sowerby a 'Cochlearia', who thought it 'C. anglica', would like opinion on this and 'Potentilla tridentata', which grows amongst roots of 'Erica vulgaris'.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. nondescript 'Poa', different from most other species including 'P. compressa'; 2. 'Asplenium alternifolium' from America; 3. an 'Agaricus' growing on 'Trichosotum lanuginosum'; 4-5. 'Biameages' [?]; 6. possible 'Lichen abietinus' of "English botany"; 7. 'Conferva' growing on decayed 'Agaricus'; 8. 'Conferva'; 9. [indecipherable, same as 4 and 5]; 10. 'Dicranum strumiferum'; 11. minute 'Grimmia'.

Long desiderata for his garden, to be sent by franks or ship from London to Dundee.

Smith need not fear burdening Goodenough with his post. Sorry to see that the impudence of the Carlisle choristers has "blazened forth in the public papers" [the choristers refused to sing at services until their salaries were raised]. Asks Smith to bring native specimens of 'Ophrys corallorhiza' when he comes to London, previously received a foreign specimen of it but it is now found near to Edinburgh. Asks if Smith has figured 'Serapias latifolia', a bed of is growing wild near Rose Castle. Presumes [Hugh] Davies will rise to [Edward] Donovan's [(1768-1837), zoologist] letter in the "Gentleman's Magazine" on their dispute over fish [see RelatedMaterial]. Expecting a "fiery session" in the House of Lords this season on account of the British troops in Spain and Walcharen and Catholic Emancipation and equates the political situation to that directly before the fall of Carthage and the French Revolution.