Encloses a specimen from the Cape of either 'Galanthus' or 'Leucojum', sent via Mr Rowley's brother, a sea captain. Is resuming his botanical studies with the assistance of "Flora Britannica". Longs for one or two distinct characteristics of grasses to be pointed out to him so as to avoid having to go into minute examination. [John] Underwood [(fl 1780s-1834)], gardener at Dublin Botanic Garden, is growing 'Anemone hortensis' in a greenhouse. Wishes that an "accurate and able" botanist would complete "Flora Londinensis". Glad that Smith's travels through Greece [writing of "Flora Graeca"] "are perform'd at the Desk" as "that climate don't seem to agree with English Constitutions", recalls the death in Greece of Mr Tweddale. Feels no alarm at the situation of Ireland but concern for the starving and situation of the poor. Obliged to Dawson Turner for remembering him. Remarks that if Smith ever quits botany he could look into Helen Maria Williams [(1762-1827) writer], "in the vast profusion of chaff there may be found a few good grains of fact". A friend just arrived from Paris was disappointed by the paucity of the Garden there.

A friend of Smith's desire for rearing birds from eggs and the known difficulties of transporting ptarmigan eggs for this purpose, will endeavour to procure some but recommends that they should travel by sea. At a loss as to how to procure black game [black grouse] for Smith as it is now so scarce in Scotland but recalls seeing "immense flocks" near Morpeth, Northumberland, in 1770.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 2 March [1801] and 'Drosera' specimens. Botany has "afforded [him] a most agreeable relaxation" from more severe study; preparing fourth edition of his father's [William Withering] work ["An arrangement of British plants", first published 1776], though warns not much alteration or improvement can be expected; thanks for Smith's offer of assistance. Requests Smith's assistance regarding an "indifferent specimen" of 'Ranunculus gramineus' gathered in North Wales; observations, will send it. He recently applied to join the Linnean Society.

The "Champion Potatoes" sent by Smith's mother from Norwich have been distributed and planted although have come up with both white and red blossoms, asks which is the true "Champion", Smith has annotated "the white is the right, orange stamina". Has been botanising with "Flora Britannica", approves that 'Cucubalus beken' is now 'Silene behen' but queries how it was determined. The only other plants he has seen are 'Draba verna' and either 'Fumaria capreolata' or 'Fumaria officinalis'. Believes the flower he sent previously was not 'Corolla supera' and therefore could not be either 'Galanthus' or 'Leucojum'. Suprised to find that 'Fumaria solida' and 'Fumaria lutea' are natives.

Sends specimens of 'Salix rubra' and 'S. fissa'; inclined to think they are sexual varities; his reasons. Encloses specimen of 'Erodium moschatum' gathered Ampthill Warren; will send specimens of 'Salix russelliana' catkins when in flower; sent [James] Sowerby 'Mnium annotinum', transcribes comments by Dawson Turner on this, who thinks it 'Trentepohlia' Hoffmann and now calls 'Surculum bulbiferum'. Encloses specimens of 'Lichen psora' [extant] and 'Bryum flavescens', found near Clapham Park Wood, new to England.

Specimen labelled 'Lichen psora'.

No summary available.

No summary available.

At request of [Alexander] Macleay encloses copy of proposed [Linnean Society] charter for Smith's opinion. [William] Kirby's work on 'Apis' in the press, as is his own "Entomologia Britannica".

Hopeful over the procurement of ptarmigan eggs for Smith's friend although there is conflicting advice on how to keep the suitable for incubation. Assured of British success in Egypt [to end French occupation] through information from the Russian Minister in Paris via Mr Lock and the French Administration via Mr Addington.

Communicates his observations on "the small knobs frequently found on shells of the 'Anomia' genus", which he has discovered to be the ossified "tendinous ligature" of other unfortunate shells violently forced from their "adhesive situation".

Sending small parcel of plants, numbered descriptions and observations of the specimens, including: 'Lichen hymenis', 'L. gelasinatus', 'L. calvus', 'Sphaeria gregaria', 'L. polyrhiza', 'L. vernalis', 'L. scriptus', 'L. ripicola', 'Peziza bicolor' [Smith has annotated many in pencil and ink].

Has found 'Scandix adorata' in Yorkshire; probable that 'Turritis hirsuata' is taken for 'Cardamine bellidifolia'; glad his 'Saxifraga palmata' proves to be variety of 'S. hypnoides'; 'Lycoperdon stellatum', 'Lycoperdon fornicatum', and 'Lycoperdon recolligens' grow abundantly in his neighbourhood; has found 'Agaricus alneus'. Intends to send [James] Sowerby duplicates of the lichens.

Having being requested by Government General of Bengal to gather informtion on the cultivation of cotton in China, he met with the subject at considerable length in a Chinese work, which has been translated and is now enclosed as a paper for the Linnean Society [see RelatedMaterial below].

No summary available.

Over the last year has collected all species of 'Salix' growing near London, Lee's garden providing the most. Perplexed by 'Salix amygdalina', 'Salix helix', and 'Salix hermaphroditica'. Pleased to hear of Smith's paper on 'Salix'. Received a letter from [William] Roxburgh, who is stationed at the Cape [of Good Hope] to collect seeds and plants for East India Company, and is expecting to receive specimens of all of Roxburgh's collection, particularly 'Erica' and 'Protea', will send Smith any duplicates. Has just received a box from Soho Square [Sir Joseph Banks' home] of [Roxburgh's] plants, there are many new ones including 'Trapa'. Has a copy of the "Flora Peruviana". Reports progress of engravings [for his book "Description of the genus Pinus"].

On a separate folded piece of paper Lambert lists species of 'Salix' he already has specimens of and requests specimens of any not mentioned, on reverse comments "the enclosed [extant] plant is S[alix] fissa from [William] Curtis garden is not rubra?".

Specimen of 'Salix fissa'.

He has just finished 'Mammalia' for his ["Animal biography"], his present authorities are Gmelin's "Systema naturae", [Thomas] Pennant's "British Zoology", Pennant's "Synopsis of Quadrupeds", and [George] Shaw's "Arctic Zoology"._x000D_

Has chosen title "Sketches of Nature, descriptive principally of the Economy of the animal and vegetable kingdoms", manuscripts now in London._x000D_

Transcription of specimen passages for his "Synopsis of British Zoology", for criticism [2 pp]._x000D_

Intends to visit North Wales again, prior to publication of second edition of his tour; expects to receive assistance from [Hugh] Davies, and would like to access Pennant's papers; will send [James] Sowerby rare plants.

Sends 'Primula' for [James] Sowerby; first sent to him 2-3 years ago; rare in Bedfordshire and Worcestershire pastures and orchards; called the black cowslip; credits Mrs Abbot with its discovery. Sends specimens of female 'Salix russelliana' catkins and 'Bryum fragile' [James] Dickson from Aspley Wood.

No summary available.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Presents Smith with two "curious" plants. The first 'Oenothera biennis' discovered by John Sheppard [(c 1764-1836) first curator Liverpool Botanic Garden], a garden plant not acknowledged as a native, description and location of wild habitat growing alongside 'Cynoglossum officinale', 'Salix repens' and 'Carexes'. The second 'Saponaria anglica concava' first discovered in Northamptonshire by [John] Gerard [(d 1611) herbalist] but not found since that time, description of its habitat. Offers to send specimens to Smith for verification.