List of desiderata. Specimens sent by Smith [Oct 93] marked with a tick.

His second volume ready for printing; its contents; 'Xanthium fruticosum'; the 'Encelia' really a new genus.

Sent copies of his "glossary"' ["Language of Botany"] to Smith and Linnean Society, includes: from "Hortus Kewensis" 'Achillea squarrosa', and from [Carlo] Allioni 'Achillea herba-rota', 'Achillea ligustica', and 'Achillea tanacetifolia'. Asks if Smith knows "'Achillea lutea' Krocker siles n. 1443". Difficulties with 'Achras' species in "Hort. Malab. vol 3 tab 29, 30, 31" [Rheede van Draakenstein's "Hortus Indicus Malabaricus"?] and between 'Achras' and [Olof] Swartz' 'Bumelia'. Asks what 'Achras balata' of Gmelin "Syst. 574.5" is. Preparing 'Aconitum' for press, asks for any of Smith's observations especially 'Aconitum lycotonum'.

Acknowledges Smith's thanks for dedication [of "The language of botany"]. Asks Smith to correct any errors in the glossary in advance of a second edition. Discusses botanical terminology and the trend of words changing their meaning.

Forgot to mention that the Cape Coast lily she sent Smith was from the Marquess of Bath, who had it from a young man he sent to Africa; he did not know what part of Africa it was from.

Received Smith's letter of 20 February 1792. There is a description of the "Diandrous" timber tree Smith intends to name after him in Roxburgh's plant drawings sent to Court of Directors [of East India Company], sent specimen of the tree to [Alexander] Dalrymple [(1737-1808) geographer] for possible use in mathematical instruments. The 'Lythrum orixensis' flowering in his garden is similar to 'Grislea', further observations, sends new sketch of flower and capsule to replace his faulty former description [on the reverse of the letter Smith has written: "drawing of 'Lythrum' put into herb[ariu]m at 'Grislea'"]. Encloses specimen of 'Indigofera caerulea', too northerly for [Johann Gerhard] Koenig [(1728-1785)] to have come across it. Efficacy of 'Swietenia' bark in curing fevers even after Peruvian-bark has failed, has sent a sample for Smith. Hopes Smith received seeds.

In postscript encloses seeds of 'Lythrum orixensis', asks Smith to forward a note to [William] Aiton [(1731-1793) Kew gardener], and for Molesworth to send potato seeds, believes those in India are still propagated from the first ever sets planted in Asia.

No longer possible for Woodward to stay during his visit for Linnean Society anniversary meeting as his mother, youngest sister, and brother from Yorkshire are visiting at the same time. Asks if Woodward saw letter in last month's "Gentleman's Magazine" criticising his specific character of 'Geranium lucidum' in "English botany"; his response to appear in May issue in which he will also own the work. "English botany" to start including 'Cryptogamia', but not fungi. Has Woodward's drawing of 'Agaric' from [James] Sowerby.

Correcting the press of Woodward's 'Lycoperdon' paper; finds it amusing, though doubts Charles Bryant [(d 1799)] will. "Great loss" of [William] Aiton [(1731-1792), director of Kew Gardens] to Kew, his son [William Townsend Aiton] "clever & civil". Fourth fasciculus of "Icones pictae" out this year. Still working on his "Tour", some already printing. Feels better this winter than he has for many years.

Details of his journey and pending visit to London. Expects [Charles] Bryant [(d 1799)] to be "very angry" on reading his paper [on 'Lycoperdons'], expects an attack in the "Gentleman's Magazine". Saw the attack on Smith's 'Geranium lucidum' of "English botany" in "Gentleman's Magazine"; unsure who the author is and attempts to apologise for him. Approves of "English botany" including cryptogams but warns against figuring too many for fear of "disgusting the florists & the ladies". Hopes to send [James] Sowerby 'Cineraria palustris' and others from Yarmouth; doubts whether the drawing of 'Agaric' is the 'Clypeolarias' of Bulliard, as [William] Withering refers to it. Visits from Sir John Rous [1st Earl of Stradbroke (1750-1827), politician] who grows exotic trees in his plantations, does not study them scientifically but knows their names in "Hortus Kewensis".

Thanks for 'Fl. Lapponica' and plants from New South Wales; negotiations for books; sends his Dissertations for Royal and other Societies.

Sending fifth volume of "Transactions of the Royal Scientific Society of Uppsala", via Dr Avent, who is returning to England; wishes there was greater exchange of correspondence between England and Sweden. Smith unanimously elected to Royal Society. Concerned to hear that Smith's letter to a German on subject of sale of Linnaean collections has been disclosed, but gratified Smith wishes he [Acrel] be cleared of all impropriety. Clearance of his debts with Smith. Introduces Dr Bierchen.

His health is poor and after an emetic and other evacuations now feeling benefit of a course of 'Cinchona officinalis', though if it were not for botany, his wife, and Smith, he would be happy to die. Reminds Smith of his intention to visit in summer of 1793; he has no companion for his walks and is in "a kind of exile". His wife has given birth to a strong and healthy boy, if he lives he must be a botanist.

His library: obtained good Dillenius ["Historia muscorum" (1741)] from Paris for £11 and now has some of his chief desiderata of rare books including [Johannes] Loesel's [(1607-1655)] "Flora Prussica", [Fabio] Columna's "Phytobasanos", and [Nicolaas Laurens] Burman's [(1734-1793)] "de Geraniis", and [Paolo] Boccone's [(1633-1704)] "[Icones & descriptiones rariorum plantarum] Sic[iliae]" but not Boccone's "Museo di Piante rare". Sends money draft settling accounts with [James] Sowerby and [James] Dickson. Requests copy of Sowerby's "Flora luxurians" for his wife, though she prefers 'Geranium striatum' to the brilliant luxuriant flowers. Encloses paper from his Lausanne bookseller Mr Pott to be forwarded to Elmsley.

Smith should keep [Horace Bénédict] de Saussure's [(1740-1799)] lichens, expects to receive more. Has been unable to search for 'Anthericum serotinum' promised to [Richard] Salisbury as the only habitat he knows is 150 miles from Orbe; had hoped to receive Salisbury's coloured work ["Icones stirpium rariorum" (1791)]. Apologises for not sending seeds for Smith and [William] Aiton: 'Crataegus chamaemespilus', 'Veronica praecox' Allioni, 'Crepis leontodontoides' Allioni, 'Turritis alpina', Linnaeus, 'Avena strigosa' Schreber, will wait to collect fresh ones.

First postscript, on left-hand margin of verso of first folio: thanks Lady Rockingham for present of "Icones pictae" and hopes to obtain seed of 'Celsia linearis' Jacq. Second postscript, on left-hand margin of recto of first folio: asks after Mr Este.

Sending plants and cryptogams from Hannover. Requests 'Lichen' specimens, listed.

Thanks Smith for 'Carex incurva'. Received 'Thlaspi hirtum' of "Fl[ora] Ang[lica]" from [Dawson] Turner, it is possibly 'Thlaspi vaccaria' of Ray "Syn[opsis methodica]" 305.5, believes Hudson wrong. [Thomas] Woodward and himself believe Linnaeus wrong in 'Ligusticum cornubiense' because of cramped figure in Ray's "Synopsis". Summarises his observations on the 'Mentha' genus, as transmitted to Edward Forster junior: [William] Hudson correct on 'Mentha sativa' and 'M. gentilis' but wrong on 'M. sylvestris' and 'M. villosa'; 'M. arvensis'; makes other observations including comparisons across Linnaeus, [John] Ray, [William] Withering, and [Johann Adam] Pollich. Hopes for figure of Edward Forster's 'Mentha sativa' next autumn, concedes it is too late for 'Saxifraga oppositifolia'.

The paper [unidentified] Smith sent to the Turin Academy arrived too late to be included in the already completed volume of memoirs but in gratitude to Smith the Academy has ordered that the paper be printed immediately. [Carlo] Allioni and [Carlo Antonio Ludovico] Bellardi send their respects.

Received Smith's letter of 22 January [1793]. Sending papers on natural history of the mole and meteorological phenomena in Perthshire [see RelatedMaterial below].

Outbid for a house at an auction but purchased three acres of good pasture ground for £430. Returns [Jonas] Dryander's observations and also for Dryander a few pages of his "Flora Anglicae" pamphlet and enclosed Smith the title page. 'Holosteum umbellatum' is in full flower and seed, his pot of 'Arabis stricta' no longer flowering and now resembles an '[Arabis] turritis'.

Encloses duplicate pages to correct printer errors in the large paper copies [of his pamphlet?]. Also encloses specimens of 'Holosteum umbellatum' for [William] Hudson.

Sending Smith smaller than planned parcel of plants via Mandrot, including series of specimens and gradations of 'Saxifraga hirculus'. Still weak from his "last terrible illness" and a pain in his chest which he is treating with Letters water and milk. Rearranged his herbarium so looking forward to receiving Smith's promised Botany Bay plants. Hopes to build a greenhouse for exotic plants to spite those who keep theirs to themselves. Relates anecdote of a Berne apothecary who came to his garden and passed pots of 'Turritis alpina' and 'Arenaria liniflora' only to be in ecstasy at pot of 'Pelargonium radula', almost ancient in English gardens but entirely unknown in Switzerland, was not impressed with herbarium specimen of 'Arenaria saxatilis' Linnaeus and mocked his one specimen of 'Ixia'; he is a good chemist but a "wretched blunderer in Botany" and though he has much greater herbarium and garden he insisted a plant he [Davall] knew to be 'Saxifraga sarmentosa' was 'Martynia perennis', a dispute in which [Joseph von] Jacquin also became involved.

Has three seedlings of 'Morina persica' and will send every seed to England to "replace this fine (lost?) plant ex HK". Has a place where he successfully winters 'Gerania'. Requests via [John] Fairbairn seeds of 'Pelargonium cordatum', 'Pelargonium betulinum', and 'Lamium loevigatum' at Chelsea. Would like to establish communications with [Adam] Afzelius.

His parcel much more considerable than he intended and includes a box of lichens, lichens listed on sixth folio with some comments. Will soon send mosses for [James] Dickson and seeds for [William] Aiton not in "Hortus Kewensis". Letter signed 12 May 1793.

Note by Davall letter received 31 [May 1793]. Resonds to Davall's letter of 5 April 1793: congratulations on birth of son; grieved by state of Davall's health, approves of taking 'Cinchona' and recommends red port wine for costiveness.

Success of his lectures: zoological had seventeen subscribers and botanical twenty-four, including eight or nine ladies "of distinguished rank & elegance", they are beginning to be celebrated so another year would be better attended, and enjoys delivering them. His publications are bringing him some money. His "Sketch of a Tour on the Continent" now printing after having held it back from diffidence and fear of altercations for "I must & will shew myself the friend of truth & humanity".

Receiving good things from François [Borone] in Sierra Leone, he proposes to return next December. Reports on Mr Este, who is very friendly and came to his lectures, believes he was distressed and ill used by Captain Topham and went abroad, but now editor of "The Courier", "a very democratic paper, but a very clever one", and he is going to Pavia soon. If he earns enough money and the political situation is quiet hopes to take a trip on the continent, but would contemplate going with a young man as a "bear-leader" to Italy.

"English Botany" after no.24 is being enlarged to six plates monthly and charge to half a crown. Justifies making a profit by the trouble it gives and inclusion of original material. Nearly 900 are sold and last month owned it as his in the "Gentleman's Magazine". Davall's accounts with [James] Sowerby and [James] Dickson, asks if he wants Dickson's "Hotus siccus Britannicus". Pleased Davall now has Dillenius' ["Historia muscorum"] though despairs of finding him [Paulo] Boccone's [(1633-1704) "Museo di piante rare" (1697)]. 'Celsia linearis' Jacq now common in gardens, it is 'Hemimeris'. There are only fifty copies of [Richard] Salisbury's "Macaroni" book, as [Jonas] Dryander calls it [probably "Icones stirpium rariorum" (1791)] but catalogue of his garden will do him much honour ["Prodromus stirpium in Horto ad Chapel Allerton vigentium" (1796)]. No news of Duchess of Devonshire [Georgiana Cavendish (1757-1806)] yet.

[Note in Davall's hand] "wrote in haste 4 June about sending me "English Botany" &c.".

Travels in Germany ; visiting Copenhagen.

Recently sent specimens of 'Lithosperum caeruleo-purpureum', fears their quality will have diminished. Sketched map showing where he gathered it.