Has waited in vain for coloured copy of appendix to [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's "Pinus" to send Smith. Returning manuscript of Linnaeus' Lapland tour with copies of all the cuts executed by Austin, who has noted the charge for each already done and those remaining.

Asks Smith to review last sheet of his manuscript [on pines], notes that the appendix and plate of 'Dacrydium' is also ready for Smith, particularly wishes to know what Smith thought of his writing on 'Cupressus pendula' of [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Plants from Lord Seaforth's collection coming into flower including a 'Commersonia'. Shortly visiting the Marquess of Bath [Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837)] at Longleat, [Somerset]. The Marchioness of Bath extremely interested in botany and is teaching it to her son. Has been exploring tumuli with Sir Richard Hoare, who is to publish "An account of Antient [sic] Wiltshire". Received letter from [Jacques-Julien de] Labillardière saying he is sending specimens of his New Holland [Australia] plants.

Sending specimens of 'Conferva', of which [James] Sowerby has made drawings. Observations on 'Conferva corallina' and 'C. retacea'; tried to make a genus from them.

Numbered descriptions of 6 of the specimens, some has identified 'C. multifida' Hudson and 'C. pedicellata'.

Sending this letter and enclosed specimens via [James] Sowerby, contains 'Grimmia nigritia', 'G. inclanata', 'G. schisti', 'Bryum gulaium' and 'Bartramia alpina'. Also encloses mosses, a 'Lichen', and a grass found in the white mine near Forfar [Smith annotation: "'Aira caespitosa'"] in 1807. Intends to undertake botanical excursion to the Cairngorns and Clova Mountains soon, but is unsure whether to collect for Sowerby, having heard nothing from him about previous specimens. Requests seeds of 'Felia muscosa' and 'Limosella aquatica'. Requests Smith's opinion on these and previous specimens.

Sending letter and "clever" drawings from Dr [Charles] Campbell, who is travelling to Sumatra; understands that knowledge of Sumatran botany would be extremely interesting to European botanists. Campbell was unable to provide description of 'Marsdenia'. If the East India Company establishes a Botanic Garden on St Helena hopes seeds from Sumatra will be naturalised here.

No summary available.

No longer needs Smith to correct the last sheets of his work [on pines]. Received [Alexander von] Humboldt's "Travels in South America", several "Annals of the Museum" with interesting papers by Corrêa [de Serra] on carpology, and a number of Humboldt's "Plantes Equin[octiales]" with figure on the Brazil nut, 'Bertholletia excelsa'. In his "Travels" gives an account of the 'Cusparia febrifuga' which produces the "Angustura bark of the shops", also figured in ["Plantae Aequinoctiales"]. In postcript "I see your friend [Richard Salisbury] has not forgot you in his last number of Para[disus Londinensis]".

[Transcription of letter sent by William Hunter to Anstruther]: sending duplicates of his paper on 'Nauclea', and letter to Smith which accompanied the paper [see RelatedMaterial below].

Sends copy of letter and paper by [William] Hunter of Calcutta, Secretary of the Asiatic Society. Will provide copies of drawings and specimens if required. Also has small specimen of tree which Sir Joseph Banks was anxious for. Received letter from [Francis] Buchanan, who has safely reached the Cape.

Returns enclosed corrections; does not think the anatomical descriptions of animals ought to be "mutilated" in "Linnean Transactions"; "readers of zoology know what to expect". Objects to [Richard] Salisbury's paper "for bringing in forced illustrations that are needlessly indelicate, especially as all his writings shew that he does it with a malicious design to discredit the Sexual System of Linnaeus, as he always affects to call it". Asks Macleay to provide names for the species in the paper, as the Linnean Society should be committed to not omitting these, which "distinguish the works of true scientific naturalists". Gratified by Macleay's opinion of "Exotic botany".

Sometimes gains more from attempting to solve difficulties than the solution to the difficulty itself. Agrees with Smith regarding his "Syllabus" and that in Smith's plain illustration and management it would become a very popular "Philosphia Botanica". Believes the best mode of strenghtening the Linnaean system is to suggest criticisms and hints on improving it. Laments that Artistotle did not begin Linnaeus' work but believes Smith has "laid a foundation of solid & progressive improvement". Advises Smith with his new work to retain all the classes as they now stand, especially ['Monoecia'], 'Dioecia', and 'Polygamia' as they are necessary to a system based upon the structure and situation of fructification. Smith's term "diclinia" correct and compares with substantive terms such as 'Monogynia' and 'Polygamia' and discusses Linnaeus' use of Latin genders. Dissatisfied with the look of [Dawson] Turner's "Fucus". Informed that Turner using remarks of his, [Ameila Warren Griffiths' (1768-1858)] and [Elizabeth Hill's (c 1760-1850)] in stating [John] Stackhouse's 'Fucus abrotanifolius' and 'Fucus disours' are the same plant, hopes they are properly credited, Stackhouse was too jealous to do so.

Discusses sending and receipt of letters.

Unable to give Mr Patterson any information regarding the state of George III's flock of merino sheep. Had recommended to the King [George III (1738-1820)] for a ram to be sold for 25 guineas, a "fine wooled sheep". The King's flock of the negretti strain of Spain, "finer than the original flock". One ram castrated this year because of a few "king hairs" in his wool but has not had one other sheep that did not pass the judgement of the wool-stapler, who annually examines each sheep.

Honoured by Smith's dedication to his late wife [Jane Barrington] and himself in "Introduction to Botany".

Sends list of New Holland [Australian] plants he received from Labillardière [not extant], requests any specimens Smith can add. Sends a sample of velvet woven in colours, capable of replicating portraits and other subjects, from a technique devised by Gregoire in Paris, it is superior to Mr Town of New Bond Street's similar product. Overwhelmed by reading Smith's "Introduction to Botany", corrects Smith's pronounciation of "Holmskiöldiaf" in same.

Encloses duplicate of letter he sent Smith in March [1807] [extant], and packet of plants; wishes to know Smith's opinion of this and the packet he sent October 1806. Asks if his new genus 'Gwillimia' has been accepted.

Discusses 'Dianthus caryophyllus' and proposes two additions to Smith's description of the genus, being 'caryophyllus' and 'hortensia', with three small sketches in pen illustrating his argument. Justifies his course of study.

Received Smith's letter of 20 October [1807] today; has not yet received [Johann Baptist von] Albertini's "Conspectus Fungorum" from Germany; hopes Albertini will send a copy as he assisted in collecting materials for it. Encloses specimens of some of the fungi he sent for the work, and hopes to also send the copper plates.

Lists fungi he has found since his last letter to Smith: 'Boletus fimbriatus', 'B. mucidus', 'B. cinnabarinus', 'Thelephora hirsuta', 'T. calcea', 'T. polygonia', 'Tremella encephala', 'Agaricus amesthystinus', 'A. procenus', 'A. violaceus', 'A. fratensis', 'A. luridus', 'A. coccineus', 'A. conicus', 'A. poittacinus', 'A. seracius', 'A. punus', 'A. copinusdomesticus', 'A. frauncilus', 'A. caudicinus', 'A. semiglobatus', 'A. fascicularis', 'A. subdulcis', 'A. anuginosa', 'A. campestris', 'A. collinitus', 'Capninus extinclonius', 'C. candicans', 'Gymnopus latus', 'G. alboviolaceus', 'G. lactillacris', 'Boletus subtomentosus', 'B. fuscus', 'B. deofunctor', 'B. vitneus', 'B. hepaticus', 'Helvella cinerea' (very rare), 'Lycoperdon pratense', 'L. umbrinum', 'L. bovista', 'Filago rusa', 'Spumaria mucilago', 'Stemonitis ovala', 'S. fascicularis', 'Accidium tussilaginus', 'Amanila spadicea', 'Hydnum ochnaceum', 'Clavaria protensis', 'C. cornea', 'C. elurnia', 'C. mirani', 'Peziza sancoides', 'P. anomala', 'Sphaeria hypoxylon', S. digitata', 'S. fusca', 'S. poronia', 'S. deusta', 'S. doliolum', and 'S. disciformis'. Found all of the above with [Henry] Steinhauer at Kirklees Hall, the seat of Sir George Armitage.

Has sent Smith specimen of 'Anemone vernalis'. Will send a fern with the copper plates, variety of 'Cyathea fragilis' from Castleton, which he has been unable to find in "Flora Britannica", which he hopes will be completed.

Discusses his essay, "De Pisolitho", which he sent for Smith's opinion, and quoting of Scopoli's 'Lycoperdon arrizon' as a synonym for 'Pisolithus arenarius'; proposes naming it 'P. scopolii' [coloured drawing extant]. Apologises for delay in sending promised plates of [Johann Baptist von] Albertini's "Conspectus Fungorum", which his friend Mr Steinhaur will now do. Lists recent fungi he has found: 'Xyloma acerinum', 'Agaricus lactifluus var. deliciosus', 'Clavaria ericelorum', 'C. gyrans', 'Sphaeria militaris', 'Hydnum repandum', 'Peziza papillata', and 'Tremella auriformis'; always uses [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's names, despite some of them not seemingly appropriate for the plants they are meant to denominate.

He has minutely examined the fern mentioned in his last letter and concludes it is either new or a new variety, possibly of 'Aspidium spinulosum'. Found a variety of 'Blechnum boreale'; observations. Bolton's discovery of 'Hyminophyllum pyxidifenum'.

Coloured drawing labelled "'Pisolithus arenarius'.

Thanks Smith for mention of him in his article on 'Salix russelliana'. Sends copy of his "Parochial Divinity" for Smith. Explains circumstances behind his sending specimen of 'Vicia bithynica' last summer: he had hoped to be proved its first discoverer, but found [James] Sowerby had received it a month before from a Sussex friend; gives its location anyway and urges Smith to mention receipt of it also; observations.

Sending specimens of the 'Vicia', a 'Gnaphalium', and an unknown plant like a 'Serapias' ['Epipactis purpurea']. Previously sent Sowerby fertile specimen of 'Bryum annotinum'.

Disappointed that he cannot accept Roscoe's invitation. Rumoured that Roscoe will become the sitting member for Liverpool. Hopes to accompany his mother to Liverpool in early spring and would like to discuss Roscoe's 'Canna' specimens, figures, and synonyms, particularly species Roscoe made out of 'Canna indica', for intended paper on 'Scitamineae' species.

Sent the Linnean Society a "botanico-physiological" on germination of seeds, disproving Gaertner's "vitellus"; further details. Asks if Roscoe approves with his rule of "shall & will" as he discussed in October issue of the "Athenaeum". Will shortly send Roscoe his "Introduction to Botany" for comment and corrections; hopes it will promote the study.

Hopes Roscoe has had the most recent numbers of "Exotic botany" from [James] Sowerby. Has written a lot for [Abraham] Rees' "Cyclopedia", and has enjoyed looking at botanical subjects he might not have otherwise studied. Glad Roscoe's Liverpool [Botanic] Garden is flourishing; had hoped to see [John] Shepherd [(c 1764-1836, curator Liverpool Botanic Garden] in Norwich; apologises for delay in sending the herbarium, which is proving "a long & arduous job". [William Fitt] Drake has entered Caius College, Cambridge, with one of the highest scholarships but will still assist Smith half the year. Continuing work on "Florae Graecae prodomus" but struggles to complete more than 10 to 12 plants from 10 o'clock till 3. Compliments to the Roscoe and Rathbone families. Relates a "curious anecdote" about the King of Prussia, Napoleon, and the Empress of Russia at the conference of Tilsit [ending the War of the Fourth Coalition, 1806-1807].

Received Smith's letter of 12 April [1807]. Currently unable to add to his collection of botanical drawings and has instead been collecting insects. Sorry Smith's "Exotic botany" has not been successful. Laments the loss of his valuable books, papers, and drawings, including of insects, in sinking of the ship "Lady Burgess". Left his collection of bird drawings with a brother at Wisbech, [Cambridgeshire], but laments not showing them to [John] Latham and fears other collectors will discover and publish them in during his absence from England. No longer certain how long he will stay in India following the death of his sister.

Glad that [Francis] Buchanan left his dried plants and drawings with Smith rather than Mr L [Lambert?]; he departed for his statistical mission a month ago; his advantages in being supported by government. Concerned that Sir Joseph Banks will suffer more with gout every returning winter. Long suspected [Aylmer Bourke] Lambert's indisposition. Directions for sending "Linnean Transactions" and other works during his absence, including Smith's "Physiological & Systematical Botany". Asks that he be sent one of [James] Sowerby's "portable cabinets of minerals". [William] Roxburgh's work.

Has found that the plant which produces Columba root is a species of 'Menispermum', as he always predicted. Asks to be remembered to [Thomas] Marsham, [Edward] Rudge, Sir Thomas Cullum, and [Alexander] Macleay. Sent a packet of seeds for [Thomas] Johnes and Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill]