Letter of introduction for Buchanan's friend [John] Fleming [(1747-1829) physician, Indian Medical Service, Bengal] who is bringing a copy of Buchanan's manuscript on fish, asks Smith to advise and assist as to corrections and publication. Hoping to return to Calcutta soon, will try to send specimens collected from area of Mount Emodus.

Sends his book on the local flora of Turin, and catalogue of the Botanical Garden at Turin. Asks for botanical correspondence with Smith on same terms Smith had with Dr [Jean Pierre Marie] Dana, who died a year ago. [Carlo] Allioni and [Carlo Antonio Ludovico] Bellardi are in good health. Requests seeds of 'Hedysarum gyrans' and 'Dinoaea muscipula'.

Has sent a package to Smith from [George] Don. Has been unable to answer Smith's previous letter due to demands and uncertainties of militia duties. Has asked the Duke of Gordon's agents about procuring ptarmigan eggs for Smith's friend.

Sending Smith specimens of a possible 'Ajuga pyramidalis', received from William Gibb, gardener to Lord Seaforth of Braham Castle, Dingwall, Scotland, desires opinion. Despairing of acquiring the ptarmigan eggs in spite involvement from the Marquess of Huntly.

Glad to hear of Smith's improvement in health and offers his own "quack" remedy when himself recently afflicted with two similar cases himself of an infusion of dandelion roots. Has been informed by the Marquess of Huntly that there will be plenty of ptarmigan eggs next season if desired. Has acquired [George] Don a position at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, which will be of great service to [Daniel] Rutherford. Recently sent [James] Sowerby a new 'Clavaria' but he never writes. Offers to send Smith a recently found in seed 'Asperugo procumbens'.

Sending specimens of several lichens and rare mosses.

Account of plants collected on his journey to Oxfordshire, including habitats, sent specimens to [James] Sowerby; 'Juniperus communis', 'Rumex sanguineus', 'R. venis', 'R. rubris', 'Festuca bromoides', 'Sisymbrium irio', 'Tordylium maximum', 'Asplenium ceterach', 'Carex inflata', 'Asarum europaeum' never seen wild old habitat of [John] Ray at Cheverill's Green near Dunstable is lost, 'Geranium nodosum'. Provided for 7 'Papilio iris' larvae which travelled with him. Since returning has also sent 'Oxalis corniculata', naturalised in woods behind Oakley House from Stratton Park, Hampshire. Honored by Smith's classing him amongst his friends in "Linnean Transactions" vol 6 'Salix' paper.

Bedford River "abounding" with 'Chara flexilis' "English botany 1070". Encloses "curious production" with habit of 'Conferva' [extant]; observations. Believes 'Chara flexilis', 'Ceratophyllum submersum', and 'Ceratophyllum demersum' can be consolidated under one genus; observations. Lists plants he has found since 1798 as a supplement [to his "Flora Bedfordiensis" (1798)], for Smith's "Flora Britannica". Prays for recovery of Smith's health, "so valuable to the botanical world".

Specimen of a plant.

Sending specimens of mosses. Frustrated by Dawson Turner's tendency to not acknowledge him for plants he sent; examples. "Enchanted" by Smith's drawings of 'Asarum europaeum' and 'Geranium nodosum'. Sending specimen of 'Phleum paniculatum'. Previously sent all the plants he is sending to [James] Sowerby, including: 'Hypnum denticulatum', 'Sphagnum arboreum', 'Neckera heteromalla' Hedwig, 'Bryum flavescens', 'Bryum sericeum', 'Inrium annotinum' in both states being 'Trentepohlia erecta' Hoffmann and Teesdale, 'Bryum dicksoni', 'Barbula fallax', 'Scirpus acicularis', and 'Hypnum polycarpum' Hoffmann; habitats provided for all.

["Spec. 2" annotated in pencil at top of verso of folio]

Death of one of Smith's "most affectionate friends" [Smith annotation: "Mr J. Mackay", John Mackay (1772-1802), employed at Dickson nursery, Edinburgh]. Still waiting to hear from [James] Playfair [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] to hear further on bees. Dr Waltner still unwell and his class dormant. Received Devon 'Fucus' specimens from Lady Ashburton, sends onto Smith.His health good.

Two coloured drawings each of flowers of 'Ophrys arachnites' and 'Ophrys apifera'.

Disappointed not to see Smith in London, wished to show him drawing of 'Ophrys arachnites' from Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] collection, originally from Switzerland; thinks it distinct from 'Ophrys apifera', drawings of each, corrections for "English botany", description of 'O. arachnites'. Observations on 2 hothouse annuals currently flowering: 'Mollugo stricta' and a new plant which came as 'Nama repens'. Found a new species of 'Carex' in his woods; observations.

Thanks for 'Salix' cuttings, some of which have taken root. Arrangements for paying his Linnean Society subscription arrears. Dissatisfaction at not having received a Society anniversary meeting invitation for some years.

Specimens of 'Cyperus fuscus' sent to Smith for confirmation, at request of Mr Charlwood; received two from Italy under names of 'C. fuscus' and 'C. rotundus'.

Requests Smith's support for William Smith, who is standing as Parliamentary candidate for Norwich with Mr Fellows. Cannot think Smith has much partiality for the present members after the "bullbaiting business".

He has been busy acting as an executor and repairing a house in Clapton, [Essex], they have just moved into. Forwards parcel from [Adam] Afzelius. Reminds Smith of his promise of sending willow specimens.

Hopes complaint in Smith's face is better. [Lewis Weston] Dillwyn [(1778-1855), naturalist] moving to Wales, believes it will delay his 'Conferva' book. Asks for publication date of fungi part of Smith's "Flora [Britannica]", as he intends to write his own remarks. Compliments [James] Sowerby's figures [in "Coloured figures of English fungi.."], letter-press not as good and he has figured same individual under different appearances several times. Recommends fungi books for Smith to borrow from Sowerby, including Butch, Bolton, [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon, Bulliard, and Schaeffer.

"Flora Londinensis" bought by Samuel Curtis, of the estate of William Curtis, his intentions unclear.

Sending descriptions of 'Polypodium aculeatum' and 'P. lobatum', to clear up the synonyms [extant, 3 pp].

Found 'Hieracium sylvaticum' on same hill as mentioned in [John] Gerard's [(1545-1612), botanist] "Herbal", apologises if incorrect as ornithology is his favourite pursuit, not botany. Sends specimens for "English botany", notes on habitat. Examined 'Pilosella' of John Bauhin.

Asks Price to send volumes 3, 5, and 6 of "Linnean Transactions" and Linnean Society charter and laws for [David] Hosack of New York.

The Linnean Society charter has passed "the ordeal" of the Attorney and Solicitor General and is now waiting to pass the Great Seal; "the trouble which has attended it is inconceivable". Warns Smith to be prepared for a summons to London, for whenever the charter passes the Great Seal the Society will consist of no more than the 15 people named on it, and it will be necessary to elect the others as soon as possible after, and the bye-laws need framing.