[Aylmer Bourke] Lambert unexpectedly visited but was in a peculiar mood and evasive regarding a promised visit to Smith in Norwich. Sorry to hear of [James] Crowe's death, said to be from a carbuncle boil. Lambert writes that Sir Joseph Banks is bedridden with a large abcess in his leg. Expects a contrast when either [George] Shaw or [Charles] Konig succeeds [Edward Whitaker] Gray [(1748-1806), physician and curator] at the British Museum. Shortly leaving for London.

Asks if Smith saw his letter in the Bury Paper of 21 January discussing mistletoe on oak; the man who first saw it surrounded by sycamores and maples loaded with mistletoe could not find it again, Cullum had intended to place an oaken bough with mistletoe on either side of the President's chair at Linnean Society meeting. Lambert took young plants of 'Holosteum umbellatum' and 'Sisymbrium polyceratium' growing near his house.

Thanks for Cullum's account of [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert, did not press Lambert to visit Norwich as [James] Crowe was dying which would not have been well for Lambert's low spirits. Praises Crowe's character, he died of a carbuncle on the side of his neck; account of day of his death. Anxious about Sir Joseph Banks' health. Has presumed that Banks had assisted [George] Shaw to position at British Museum and [Charles] Konig was to have Shaw's place. The 'Verbascum' Cullum sent him is the 'Blattaria alba' of Bauhin, Linnaeus thought it a variety of his 'Verbascum blattaria'; Smith thinks it may be a species.