Condolences on death of [François] Borone. Brief account of [Thomas] Rackett, [Charles] Hatchett [(1765-1847) chemist], and [William George] Maton's tour of Cornwall and Somerset. Thanks Smith for naming 'Pultenaea' for him, asks if figures of the species could be published in "Linnean Transactions". Sending copy of his catalogue of Leicestershire plants.

[Copy or draft]

Thanks for copy of "Icones plantarum". Sending a "trifle" from his "youthful days".

Congratulates Smith on marriage. Anxious for L'Héritier, hopes he can finish "Stirpes novae" and "Gerania", asks if [Antonio] Cavanilles second volume is published. Suffered from ill-health in the last winter, discusses the proverb relating to doctors "that they never get meat till they have no teeth".

He has little botanical news, his lectures taking up too much of his time. His "Flora Britannica" and also a "Florula" of New Holland are going on well. Believes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert has provided Pulteney with a sketch of his 'Proteacea', overseen by Sir Joseph Banks and [Jonas] Dryander: order of 'Rutacea' numerous and difficult; 'Dicandria Papilionacea' most troublesome of all; 'Pultenaea' stands firm. He has been "addicted" to butterflies recently; in a few days a "splendid" work on "the rarer lepidopterous insects of Georgia" is to appear, including new plants not figured in "Hortus Kewensis".

Invites Pulteney to Norfolk to see the Linnaean shells, reassures him that none "strayed" whilst they were being organised. About to publish a volume of miscellaneous natural history papers. [Adam] Afzelius and [Archibald] Menzies are preparing accounts of their travels. Staying here till 25 May.

His practice too busy to allow him to visit London. Hopes Smith's "Flora Britannica" will prevent publication of "crude and indigested compilations of others", and pleased to hear of Smith's "Proteacea", "florula of New Holland [Australia] plants", and ["Tracts relating to Natural History"]. Would have liked to visit Smith in Norwich to compare his one thousand shell collection with Linnaeus'. [Thomas] Rackett has purchased [Emanuel Mendes] da Costa's plates [(1717-1791) English naturalist] and plans a new impression [of unnamed work but presumably "The British Conchology"]. Relieved to hear of L'Héritier's safety but disappointed he has not finished his works. Requests remaining numbers of L'Héritier's "Pertumn", "Gerania" ["Geraniologia"], and "Plantae Rariores" ["Sertum Anglicum"], and [Antonio] Cavanilles' "picture volumes" ["Icones et descriptiones plantarum"?].

A long time since he heard from Smith, though kept informed by their mutual friend, [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, who is his only contact with those who share his pursuits. Pleased to hear of L'Héritier's safety. Asks Smith to procure Cavanilles' most recently published volume of "Icones" for him.