Praises Gaetner's book [De fructibus et seminibus plantarum (1788-1805)], but feels "somewhat repugnant" to any attempt of forming a system on his principles. Thanks for attempts of Smith and others for their praise of his book ["Sketches of the progress of botany" (1790)] but concedes it will be of interest only to curiosity of young botanists and men of general reading.

Requests remainder of L'Héritier's works as they appear in Britain though fears revolutions and politics of France will hinder the author. Requests copy of Gmelin's edition of "Systema naturae". Hopes [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert is not idle in Ireland. Surprised that [John] Lightfoot and others should have missed so many Scottish plants now published by [James] Dickson in his second fasciculus [of "Plantarum cryptogamicarum Britanniae" (1785-1801)]. Dr Patrick Browne has given Lambert a manuscript on Jamaican plants, suspects it is of little worth. Apologises for corresponding with Smith on "such unequal terms".

Apologises for any trouble Smith had with her style and titles in dedicating his book to her ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum.."]. Dr Pictairn and [James] Lee visited yesterday. Asks if [Richard] Salisbury remembers seeing blue lily in flower on visit of five years ago and what sort of leaves and bulb it had.

Payment for books, etc.

'Passiflora biflora'; new plants from Peru and Mexico; sends seed for determination. ["Pallasia, J.E.S."].

No summary available.

Thanks for letter and for [Richard] Salisbury's invitation to visit Chapel Allerton, intends to take it up next year. His son has seen the botanical collection of Mr Eyre of Hassop, including the opportunity to eat the fruit of the 'Musa' or fig-banana of the West Indies, had previously seen the plant at Kew but not the fruit. At Bakewell saw [William] White Watson's collection of fossilised plants, found in mines, including the "Arundo bamboo" of the exotic 'Euphorbia' and possibly 'Dodecatheon meadia', many of the other impressions appear to be of ferns. White Watson also has a collection of petrified shells, Staunton gives his own theory on their formation. Smith's young friend "too much of a Tyro" to make much progress in Buxton's botany without a guide.

Thanks for Smith's letter and the promise of an ongoing correspondence. Will try and send some Indian and Cape [of Good Hope] plants for Smith's herbarium; enclosing a catalogue of his plants for Smith to select from. Many people will be pleased Smith has the Linnaean collections as he is making them available to scientists. New edition of "Systema vegetabilium" has corrected errors in previous edition.

Studying the plants of the Cape [of Good Hope] for publication; his concerns for the work and figures. Intends to send paper "The botanical history of the genus Dillenia" for "Linnean Transactions" once he has an accurate address for Smith. Recently received Jussieu's "Ordines naturales"; thinks the genera extremely complicated; he always strives to keep natural genera together, lists examples.

Thanks for diploma of Linnean Society; local famine and distress; Gmelin.

Indisposition of Edmund Davall.

Fears that [Gregory] Boraston may not have been able to deliver to Smith the plates of [Pier Antonio] Micheli's [(1679-1737)], memoir on 'Lathyrus sativus', and letter he entrusted to him in Florence. Has requested of Mr Hilton a model of the pump of Albion mill.

The fish specimen that he thought was 'Uranoscopus' is in fact 'Perca alepidota', is sending it to Smith along with other unspecified specimens.

His wife gave birth to a daughter. He suffered from diarrhea for last three weeks. Collected 'Schoenus ferrugineus' and 'Satyrium repens' for Smith. Will send Smith 'Bartsia alpina' every year. Frustrated that out of paternal concern Mr Mandrot refused to pay more than 10 guineas for [James] Sowerby's work on his plates. Work on his book very slow and does not feel capable of producing a second and in future will send his notes to Smith or publish them through Linnean Society; feels he would be more useful to Smith botanising in his garden and in the wild. [Werner de] Lachenal is not jealous of the book and encourages him as it will be useful for his own intended "Flora Helo. Linnaeus ordine". [Jacob] Wyttenbach and young [Albrecht von] Haller [(1758-1823)] have offended himself and Lachenal in pursuit of their work [new edition of elder Haller's "Icones plantarum Helvetiae"] and transcribes, in French, long extract from offensive letter sent by Wyttenbach who wishes to use Davall's plates in the new edition.

Observations on various Alpine plants: 'Arenaria striata', 'Arenaria liniflora', 'Hypericum babatum', particular observations on 'Hypericum richeri', 'Saxifraga ajugifolia', 'Arenaria grandiflora' and 'Arenaria triflora', 'Arenaria laricifolia' and 'Arenaria liniflora' of Bauhin, now thinks what he thought were two plants of 'Chenopodium polyspermum' are the same plant in different stages of growth. Discusses in detail 'Cerinthe' from one of his previous packets. No longer thinks Haller is correct to name 'Alium angulosum' the same as 'Alium senescens'; compares with plants of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin's "Flora Austriaca" t423 and Gmelin's ["Flora Sibirica"] t11 f3. Discussion of Haller's plants 30 and 31. Anecdote relating to sale of Haller's library: in the same year it was sold to the Emperor there was a fireworks display costing £1500, when a smaller sum would have kept the library. Developing an area in his aunt's garden for shelter and a different exposure for about 800 plants in pots. Convinced Haller's plant number 30, in his parcel of 27 February 1790, is 'Salsola prostrata' of Jacquin's "Flora Austriacta". Plant 59 'Euphorbia gerardiana'.

In postscript down left-hand margin of recto of first folio Davall has written that he has been very ill since writing this letter, and hopes Smith received a letter from Mrs [Henriette] Davall [letter is dated "by post of 14 Sept 1790" but was evidently written before].

Letter sent by Merlet de la Boulaye in Angers to Smith. The Paris bust of Linnaeus ; the Botanic Garden damaged by rebels ; exchange of desiderata ; the 'Hortus Kewensis.'

Urges Smith to come early in order to see her large 'Portlandia', which now has twelve flowers in flower, and to bring [Jonas] Dryander and [Adam Afzelius].

News; gratification at election as FMLS; his researches in the Alps; preparing a new ed. of Haller's 'Hist. Stirpium'; irritability of plants; mineralogy.

Smith writes to Edmund Davall: Glad Davall's health is better; warns him not to fatigue himself with botanical pursuits. Charmed with letter from Davall's wife. Responds to Davall's letter of 27 April: pleased with the 'Lichen cucullatus', thinks 'Stellaria biflora' correct, Davall should publish 'Phytenma' if he thinks it new, his "Systema Vegetabilium" ["English Botany"] not out before March. Responds to Davall's letters [of 29 June and 14 September 1790]: thanks for trouble he took over 'Satyrium repens'; recovered from his cold; Davall should pay Sowerby when he can, although they both have little money having "drained their purses" to bring out their "great work without being under the thumbs of booksellers"; warns Davall not to lend his plates to [Jacob] Wyttenbach and [Albrecht von] Haller [(1758-1823)] [for their new edition of the elder Haller's "Icones plantarum Helvetiae"]; Davall should concentrate on completing his book and he can reserve new plants and observations for a second edition; responds to points on 'Hypericum', 'Arenaria grandiflora' and 'Arenaria triflora'; thought Bauhin's 'Arenaria laricifolia' was 'Arenaria striata', though Davall may be right to think it 'Arenaria liniflora'; assents to Davall's new 'Cerinthe'; 'Allium senescens'; agrees with Davall on 'Salsola prostiata' and 'Euphorbia gerardiana'; confusion over 'Crepis virens' and 'Lapsana capillaris'.

Smith writes to Henriette Davall, in French: [description to follow].

No summary available.

Discusses English 'Mentha': received 'Mentha villosa' [Hudson] "Fl[ora] Ang[lica]" from [Samuel] Goodenough which confirms that 'Mentha villosa' [Ray] "Syn[opsis methodica]" 233.1 is not the true one and is probably related to 'Mentha viridis', sends specimen to Smith and makes his own observations, asks how Linnaeus has marked it and 'Mentha verticillata' in his copy of Ray's book. Requests specimen of 'Mentha sativa'; asks if Ray's 'Mentha verticillata' is same as Linnaeus'; [John] Lightfoot found only 'Mentha gentilis' around Hackney and Peckham, encloses a Norfolk specimen of it [extant]. Lightfoot believes 'Mentha viridis' is related to 'Mentha sylvestris'. Believes botanists might be wrong to disregard the length of 'Mentha' stamina.

[On separate folio] Further observations on [William] Hudson's descriptions of 'Mentha villosa', 'M. sylvestris and 'M. rotundifolia', 'M. aquatica', 'M. gentilis', 'M. arvensis', and 'M. satvia'.

Specimen of 'Mentha gentilis', label states it is from William Sole.

Sent [James] Sowerby flower of 'Myrtus tomentosa', which he is painting life sized for her "in its full dignity of royal purple", it flowers "for ever" but they turn white after a few days in sun. Astonished by how much the 'Passiflora' in her hothouse has flowered, called "the Bats wing" by herself and 'P. vespertilio' by [Samuel] Goodenough, resembles the one in Smith's ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum...", 'Passiflora lunata']; will send pressed flower, fresh flower and leaves for comparison, notes her own observations. Loddiges sent it as true 'Passiflora vespertilio' with two 'Cinnamomum', one which Loddiges insists is the true and the other the same as Mr Hastings', a mango, and white flower variety of 'Rhododendron mexicana'.

Jokes that she will soon be King's Bench Prison [debtors' prison in Southwark, London] where she "shall look for relief to some of my botanical friends".

No summary available.