When reading in [George] Don's letters he is struck with "the simplicity of his style, & the acuteness of his remarks". Hopes to hear from Smith soon, wishes he would visit "this retired Philosophical spot"; one of the area's two botanists brought him specimens of 'Rubus sylvaticus' and 'Cistus heliantheum' to have planted in the garden, fears he lost his botanical standing by confusing the 'Cistus' with 'Vaccinium'.

Query regarding 'Mespilus tanacetifolia' and Smith's variety in "Florae Graecae prodromus". Reviews first volume of Lord Valentia's [George Annesley] "Travels", wishes there was more natural history and less politics. About to begin his "summer campaign" on Salisbury Plain with Sir Richard Hoare.

Arrived back at Norwich 1 July [1809]. Informed by [Robert] Brown that the two species of 'Centrolepis' in [Edward] Rudge's paper ['Description of several Species of Plants from New Holland'], were stolen from Sir Joseph Banks' private herbarium, and do not grow in Port Jackson, [Sydney], as stated in the paper; Brown remarks that [Richard] Salisbury is "making a cat's paw of Rudge, to interfere with Brown's work"; certain that the specific characters are Salisbury's and "very uncouth, & a disgrace to our Transactions". Leaves it to Macleay and Brown to decide whether the paper should be suppressed or corrected.

Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. native 'Agrostis arundinacea' [Smith annotation: "'Arundo neglecta' Ehrhart. Can it be Knapp's 'calamagrostis'?"]; 2. 'Rubus' like 'R. fruticosus' [Smith annotation: "I cannot make it out"]; 3. full grown seed vessels of 'Thlaspi hirtum' and what he calls 'T. incana'; 4. 'Galium uliginosum' [Smith annotation: "right (burnt the spec[ime]n)"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Encloses further specimens he hopes will be new to British flora. Numbered observations: 1. 'Galium witheringia' [Smith annotation: "right!"]; 2. 'Gnaphalium' like close to 'germanica', supposes 'Filago arvenses' of Withering [Smith annotation: "'germanicum'?"]; 3. variety of 'Achillea millefolium' [Smith annotation: "a var[iet]y of 'millefolium'"]; 4. a 'Daucus' like 'D. carota' [Smith annotation: "'Carota'?"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. two varities of true 'Hieracium paniculatum' of Linnaeus; 2. a 'Thalictrum' distinct from 'T. minus'; 3. a 'Hypericum' possible hybrid of 'H. hirsutum' and 'H. quadrangulum' [Smith annotation: "wrote March 20 1810, surely only 'hirsutum' in a wet soil"]. Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith, apologises for inconvenience to Goodenough.

Sends leaf and seed head of a 'Geum' gathered between Kendal and Shap, Cumberland, by Mr Forster of Stoney, thought to be either 'Geum montanum' or 'Geum rivale' [Smith annotation: "merely 2 states of 'G. rivale'"], sends a seed of the latter for comparison and imparts his own opinions. Also sends specimens of an 'Epilobium' from Westmorland.

"What an indefatigable creature is this [George] Don?". Asks if Don is right about 'Agrostis arundinacea', thinks it may be an 'Arundo epigeios'; 'Thlaspi hirtum' and 'T. incanum' appear distinct. Invites Smith to visit in August; has just discovered a botanist in his neighbourhood who is a Cambridge man and may prove more than an amateur, of which he already has two.

Has resigned management of the King's [George III (1738-1820)] merino flock due to ill health. Only way Banks knows of obtaining the sheep is at the King's sale.

Having heard that Smith a very good collection of live willows requests specimens of the different species, so they can be drawn for her collection.

Relates his fruitless efforts to obtain [William] Sole's copy of "Menthae Britannicae" annotated with observations and censures on "Flora Britannica" caused by Smith's classification of 'Mentha' in "Flora Britannica". Describes arrangement and presentation of [Thomas] Velley's "Phaenogamous" and marine plant collections, herbarium and remainder of his botanical collections, the whole being offered to Linnean Society for 150 guineas by his widow, requests repsonse. Offers his drawings and descriptions of fungi of his region should Smith decide to augment "Flora Britannica" with this class. Encloses specimen [extant] of a 'Byssus' collected from an abandoned coal mine in Crickhowel, Brecon, Wales.

Specimen of 'Byssus'.

Numbered observations on enclosed plants: 1. a 'Lemna' like 'L. trifolia'; 2. an 'Equisetum' with habit of 'E. variegatum'; 3. a 'Potamogeton' possibly 'P. graminosum'; 4. a 'Poa' probably not variety of 'P. nemoralis' [Goodenough annotation: "'Poa angustifolia'? S.C."]; 5. possible 'Festuca triflora'. Will be among the 'Hieraciums' next, when he will be able to "puzzel [sic] all the Botanists of England". Asks Goodenough to forward this letter to Dr [James Edward] Smith.