Sorry to hear of Smith's indifferent health in the "severe" winter. Botanical queries: asks if there are any species of 'Malaxia' other than 'M. paludosa'; what is "peat-moss"; is 'Brassica muralis' to remain or be reclassified a 'Sisymbrium'; what is the species of 'Geoffraea', now 'Hopea', Smith saw in his hothouse; which seeds of syngenes flowers to make trial of; are there plants called 'Aristolochia nigra' or 'A. hyeanalis'; what is new name for 'Osmunda crispa' and 'O. struthiopteris', is it now 'Davallia canariensis'. Found 'Hesperis inodosa' near Falmouth, [Cornwall].

Correction of his previous letter: wishes to know all species of both 'Malaxia paludosa' and 'M. exacum'.

Recalls the botanical assistance he once received from Smith. Encloses copies of his pamphlet ["Account of the Management of the Poor in Hamburg since the year 1788", not extant, see RelatedMaterial below]. Hopes Smith found something worthwhile in the "Suriname 'Papillions'". Asks for introductions in towns on his route back to London.

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Glad Smith liked his sermon; has received many compliments on it. Accepts Smith's change to wording in his paper '[Observations on the British] Fucus' and explains he decided to indefinitely express the notion that 'Fucus' are nourished solely by the surface. Does not agree with Smith over terminology used to describe capsules of '[Carex] pseudocyperus', refers to Linnaeus. Has sown the Rose of Jericho sent by Smith. Offers to have drawn the 'Dentaria bulbifera' which is about to flower in his garden. Sorry that Smith is leaving Great Marlborough Street, largely on account of its turning the Linnean Society adrift. Will enquire about a house on the Mall in Hammersmith. Remarks on formation of Greek words. Does not like [François] Borone's epitaph as there is "too much play on Flora" and fears the phrase "and art thou gone?" without proper cause for its introduction will be ridiculed by wits. Thinks Smith's family epitaph "beautiful" but points out several errors. Sorry that Smith's "Flora" is interrupted ["English Botany"?]. Copies out Smith's family epitaph and marks his alterations.

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Writes in reference to 'Pyrola uniflora', specimens of which he once sent to [James] Hoy of Gordon Castle and which has since been included in a work of [James] Sowerby's, but believes Sowerby has not succeeded in correctly documenting it and will send more specimens for further attention. Relates that John Mackay [(1772-1802) employed at Dickson nursery, Edinburgh] has discovered many plants in north and west Scotland overlooked by [John] Lightfoot, list sent to Sowerby along with specimens of 'Eriocaulon decangulare', Mackay to send seeds of same shortly. Recommends Mackay as a collector. Has received from Dominica seeds and drawing of plant sent as the true 'Iecacuanha' but believes it to be 'Asclepias curassavica' as does [Daniel] Rutherford, will send specimen if desired.

Sends specimens of 'Dentaria bulbifera' should Smith wish for [James] Sowerby to draw them. The parcel Smith sent on was from [William] Withering, not [Thomas] Woodward, concerned Woodward's parcel containing rare seaweeds may be lost. Charmed with Smith's "Syllabuys [of a course of lectures in botany]" but advises him not to expand on the contents at full length otherwise it would be "another "Phil[osophia] Botanica" in a fashionable dress". His sermon heavily criticised by in a review ["A sermon [on Psal xvii 13] preached before the Hon house of Commons Feb 25, 1795"]. Asks if Smith thinks he and Woodward are justified in thinking the root of 'Fucus' has something to do with its nourishment; conjectures that it may be where all the nerves of the plant meet.

Informs Smith of a house available in Kensington Square. Asks Smith to enquire after a missing parcel of his sent by [Thomas] Woodward to Norwich for Smith to take care of. Received letter from [William] Withering containing specimens and asking about 'Carices', one specimen was labelled as "definitely 'Carex caespitosa'" and the other as Goodenough's 'Carex stricta'; thinks them both 'Carex recurva'. Withering also sent specimen of 'Carex pauicea' with an account of its habitat in Cornwall and asked whether it is [Nikolaus Joseph von] Jacquin's 'Carex praecox'; he "always thought his blunders with 'Carices' inexplicable". Fears that if Smith does leave London it will interrupt his presidency of the Linnean Society "to the sickness if not the death of it"; asks Smith to think how to secure the Society.

Condolences [on death of Smith's father], and hopes Smith's health will be restored. He has broken his knee-cap and is confined to his room. Asks the date on which he was admitted to the Linnean Society [as an Honorary Member, 1794], believes it was in place of the Duc de Noailles. Hugh Davies is visiting.

Asks Smith to look over the fasciculus of ["Nereis Britannica"] as far as it is finished and to show it to the Linnean Society. Notes on his intentions and other matters, including: apprehension that no sexual office has been attributed to the "air bladders" [of seaweed], and perplexed by the urn-shaped vessels in fronds of '[Fucus] serratus vesiculosus'.

Keeping Woodward's specimens of 'Ulva atomaria' and 'U. ligulata' to finish their descriptions, but not publishing them in "English botany" before "Linnean Transactions", 'U. diaphara' appearing in July. Returns Woodward's 'Chrysanthum', thinks it 'C. inodorom'. Received wild Hampshire 'Tamarix gallica' from Maton. Changes made to Woodward's 'Ulva' paper. Breakfasted with [John] Stackhouse yesterday; discusses Stackhouse's and [Thomas] Velley's quarrel over fructification of 'Fucus', thinks Stackhouse "most in the right"; his general dislike of disputes; he and Stackhouse have agreed to call 'Ulva/Fucus punctatus' 'Fucus maculatus'.

[David Elisha] Davy's "metamorphosis" into an "unfrocked state". Received another visit from Stackhouse, who is like Woodward in "face & speech", but taller, desiring him not to get involved in his dispute with Velley; his relief, as Velley is an "endless talker". Intends to leave for [Thomas] Johnes' in Wales morning after Linnean Society anniversary meeting.

Has amongst his Scotch plants a perforated 'Ulva', near 'Agarum'. Goodenough's and his paper on Fucus' will be read on 2 June. Has nearly engaged a house opposite Lee's garden in Hammersmith, [Middlesex], and the Society are also taking a house and employing a clerk. He has "many weighty matters" on his mind but "remarkably well, & too much occupied to be melancholy". Intends to publish new genus 'Boronia' in next number of "[Botany of] New Holland" [in honour of François Borone].

Thanks for Smith's "Syllabus [of a course of lectures on botany]". Sorry to be missing Smith in Norwich previous to his going into Wales. His poor health: constant swelling of his foot and ankle and shrinkage of his person. [William] Withering would like Smith to visit him in Birmingham, [Warwickshire]. Glad Smith likes [John] Stackhouse, though does not have a personal acquaintance with him. Concern at Smith's move from London to Hammersmith, [Middlesex].

Discussion of Linnaeus' definiton of reproductive organs of plants and [Thomas] Velley's criticism of his remarks on same in the preface of ["Nereis Britannica"]. Quotes from a letter by Velley to himself discussing this further and the absence of floresence in seaweed, gives his own botanical opinion of the matter.