Disputes the 'Mentha' Smith and Goodenough determined as 'M. sativa'; convinced that all 'Mentha' can be found both hairy and smooth on the underleaf depending on soil and situation; discussion of other 'Mentha' including 'M. arvensis', 'M. gentilis', M. rotundifolis', 'M. sylvestris', 'M. villosa'; desires to see [Edmund] Davall's specimens and to hear from [William] Hudson on subject.

Pleased to hear that [Samuel] Goodenough now concedes that the Linnaeus' 'Carex caespitosa' is the same as the London 'C. caespitosa'. Requests specimen of 'Cerastium alpinum'. Congratulates Smith on escape from fire at the Pantheon, [Oxford Street, London].

[Note on separate piece of paper] an article in January [1792] edition of "Monthly Magazine" proposes an explanation for the formation of "fairy rings", brief summary.

Concerned to hear of weak state of [William] Hudson; intends to write to him on subject of 'Mentha villosa', which needs to be "fully cleared up", as does 'M. sylvestris'; observations, including on differences in length of stamina depending on condition; 'M. gentilis'. Thanks Smith for mentioining his name to a Parisian Natural History Society who sent him a prospectus for a new periodical work.

Congratulates Smith on appointment as the Queen's [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)] botanist, pleased he will have opportunity to look over [John] Lightfoot's plants; errors for Smith to look out for in his letters to Lightfoot, if they are extant, including on 'Carex' and 'Salix'.

Notes on Lightfoot's confounding of 'C. caespitosa' with 'C. recurva'.