JDH thanks his father, William Jackson Hooker, for the constructive criticism of his collections, the first he has made in a new country. The collections JDH is leaving for [Ronald Campbell] Gunn to send home are better. Since arriving in Hobart Town [Tasmania, Australia] JDH has only worked on botany, collecting the spring plants in locales advised by Gunn & shunning society with the exception of attending Government house when necessary & a ball given for the ships' officers. Explains why it is impossible for him to collect in the Western tier during the current season. Notes that flora in the centre of the island is less advanced; Acacia mollissima only just in bud in the interior. Describes a collecting excursion to Lake Echo, en route JDH stayed in a stock keeper's hut in Marlborough. Describes the interior of Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] as a table land of marshes covered in dead Eucalyptus timber - all the trees were killed in the 1837 frost along with the undergrowth of Leptosperma, Bedfordia & Fagus cunninghamii. All nature suffered that year, hundreds of kangaroos died. The forest only survives on the highest hills, where JDH gathered the 'Cyder tree' Eucalyptus, but it was the wrong season to tap for its fluid. On return trip JDH travelled via Hamilton & the estate of the clergyman Mr Naylor at Cheny[?] on the River Derwent. By the river are: Phebalium retusum, Pleurandras, Eurybius & many flowering shrubs. The cataracts [gorge] is densely wooded & full of bush kangaroo & plants new to JDH: a beautiful Gleichenia, Sprengelia, some Eucalypti & Acacia. Briefly discusses novel species he has found amongst the gum trees & the Crucifera & Cryptandra of Van Diemen's Land. Mentions a feature of the labella of Pterostlides [Pterostyllis] orchids. Is still working on his sketches of Kerguelen's Land plants.

JDH informs his father, William Jackson Hooker, that the expedition is leaving Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania]. Discusses his collections going to Brown. JDH has more specimens from Kerguelen Island & Tasmania, some will go to WJH privately through [Ronald] Gunn, with whom he has shared collections. JDH hopes that Thomas Spring Rice, Baron Monteagle, gets WJH the Directorship of RBG Kew. Thanks WJH for sending news of his friends & discusses Fitch, Gardner, Harvey & Arnott. Mentions mosquitoes. Cummings made better St Helena collections than JDH. Discusses his family's health. Has written to Brown, who once lived at Risdon, where JDH found new Eucalyptus, Cryptandra & Cruciferous plants. Wants WJH to ask Brown about the Xanthorrhoea covered 'grass tree hill'. Describes Thomas Gregson & his son John Gregson. Discusses Sir John & Lady Franklin whom he accompanied to Port Arthur, where he collected specimens incl. Anopterus glandulosus on a Sunday. Captain Ross strictly enforces the Sabbath. JDH shares specimens with Captain Crozier & Miss Cracroft. JDH has also collected fossil woods & made sketches. Discusses his botanical books. Describes Jorgen Jorgensen's state as a drunkard. Discusses Lady Franklin's terms for employing a gardener. The expedition will now go to Campbell's Island, where JDH hopes to collect seaweed, then south to follow the coast of Antarctica. Whilst at sea JDH will draw specimens preserved in spirit. JDH thinks he has got better at collecting, though it has been a bad season for plants in Tasmania. Recounts Captain Biscoe's account of Campbell Island. Describes the difficulty of transporting plants in Wardian Cases incl. the Kerguelen Cabbage which Captain Forman of the 51st Regiment at Hobarton is also growing from seed. Fruits & livestock will be taken to Campbell's Island. Mentions the attribution of Wardia. JDH hopes Thomas Thomson will collect in China or Persia. Discusses his finances & recommends investing money in Tasmania.