Account of his botanical tour of the the Connemara area of the county of Galway, Ireland, undertaken in August and September 1801, and his discovery of 'Eriocaulon decangulare'. This area had never before been explored by botanists except for Llhwyd in 1699 [Edward Lhuyd ? (1660-1709), Keeper of Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1690-1709]. Brief account of geography of Connemara.

Lists numerous authorities and previous descriptions of the 'Eriocaulon decangulare' he discovered, including: Linnaeus "Sp. Pl." 129 "Mantissa alt." 167 327, "Philosphical Transactions of the Royal Society" v.59.241, [John] Lightfoot "Scot" 569, being the 'Nasmythia articulata' of [William] Hudson "Ang" ed. alt. 414-415, the 'Eriocaulon septangulare' of [William] Withering ed. 3.184, the 'Eriocaulon decangulare' in "Flora Carolin[ian]" 83, Lamarck "Encyclop" tom.3.276. Jancinelle d'ecangulare, "English Botany" vol.II. 733, the 'Eriocaulon septangulare' of [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow "Sp. pl." v.1.486. It inhabits the edges of bodies of water across Connemara and Galway. Analyses its character as described in "English Botany", and by Lightfoot and Hudson. Believes Hudson should have used the trivial name 'reticulata' and not 'articulata', and that the generic name was changed to 'Nasmythia' to honour [John] Nasmyth [(1557-1613)], botanist and surgeon to James I. His own observations on its character. A specimen of his 'Eriocaulon' is enclosed [extant].

Intends in his "Flora Hibernica" to only publish plant locations personally verified by himself in or with a living specimen.

Specimen, 'Eriocaulon'.

Sends copy of his "Plantae Rariores in Hibernia" for the Linnean Society, the preface will explain why it has not been printed in "Transactions of the Dublin Society" as originally intended.

As mentioned in [Dawson] Turner's preface to "Muscologiae Hibernica spicilegium" a "Flora Hibernica" by John Templeton [(1766-1825), Irish botanist] is to appear shortly, vouches for Templeton's qualifications but remains committed to his own "Flora Hibernica" [neither Wade or Templeton published their "Flora Hibernicas"].

Asks why Smith only referred to three or four plants from his "Catalogus Dublinensi" in "Flora Britannica". Defends it as the first attempt of its kind to record Ireland's flora on systematic principles in case others have tried to dissuade Smith of its merits. Praises Smith's work on 'Salix' in "Flora Britannica". Also praises the "beauty and correctness of the plates" and the "extreme precision and elegance of the letter press" of "English Botany". Asks if publication of "Icones pictae" and "Spicilegium botanicum" have ceased.

Sends a collection of 200 mosses largely gathered in the county of Kerry in 1796. Has moss specimens for [Dawson] Turner should he want them. Sends rare Irish plants and gives habitats: 'Sium verticillatum' at Loun Bridge, near Killarney; 'Bartsia viscosa' as in his "Plantae rarior"; and 'Saxifraga geum' or 'S. hirsuta' (hopes to determine which when it flowers from the seeds and roots he planted) from Gap of Dunloc which divides Mac-Gilly-Cuddy's Reeks from Tornies Mountain and is the direct road to the Purple Mountain, near Killarney.

Remarks and observations on various plants from the same mountain area: extraordinary varities of 'Saxifraga umbrosa'; 'Pinguicula lusitanica' is common; 'Schoenus rufus' abundant on Purple Mountain; 'Euphorbia hiberna' uniformly furnished with "umbella quinquefida", many between thirty and forty inches high, almost has a completed figure, a necessity for the Irish plant as no others approach it except "Hortus Elthamensis" t.290; 'Serapis latifolia' very common about peninsula of Mucruss; 'Orobanche elatior' and 'Polypodium cambricum' in profusion in ruins of abbey at Mucruss; considers 'Aspidium oreopteris' and 'Adiantum capillus-veneris' rare ferns. Asks if Smith considers 'Schoenus marisus' rare. 'Hymenophyllum tunbridgense' abundant on mountains of Kerry; 'Osmunda regalis' grows to a luxuriant state that makes it more resemble a shrub than a fern on islands in the range and upper lakes at Killarney. Was sent by an unnamed acquaintance of Smith 'Subularia aquatica', in fact 'Littorella lacustris'.

Sends remarks on 'Holcus odoratus' and 'Buddlea globosa'. Asks if Smith knows a coloured figure of 'Holcus odoratus'. Still waiting for John Templeton's "Flora of Ireland", unsure likelihood of his own appearing.

Only lately received Smith's letter of 17 August [1807]; concerned he had lost Smith's correspondence. Praises Smith's "Introduction to Botany", which "will be the means of highly improving the theoretical part of [his] summer course"; the elementary texts he in general recommends his students are [James] Lee's "Introduction to Botany", [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau's [(1712-1778), philosopher] "Elements [of botany]", "Philosophia Botanica", and translations of Willdenow.

Smith missed opportunity to use his "Plantae rariores" as authority for 'Adiantum capillus-veneris' in "English botany" v22 1564, for which Smith credited [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin], as did [Dawson] Turner in his "admirable" "Fucus" work.

Apologises for sending overweight parcel. Sent [James] Sowerby flowering specimens of true Irish 'Arbutus unedo' for mention in "English botany" and for honour of Ireland and its natural productions. Dr [Robert] Scott [(1757-1808)], professor of botany at [Trinity College, Dublin] deprived of his post without any equitable cause assigned. Asks if there are to be any new additions to new edition of Smith's "Tour of the Continent".

Sending Smith flowering 'Saxifraga' specimens gathered near Killarney, Kerry. Hopes Smith received the 'Euphorbia hibernica' he sent in spring. Smith should be wary of reports that 'Acorus gramineus' has been found in Ireland until he has been able to determine the facts. Sends his "Sketch of lectures on meadow and pasture grasses" for Linnean Society. [Andrew] Caldwell in a very bad state of health.

Sorry to inform Smith that the reports that 'Acorus grammineus' has been found in Ireland are false; questioned the gardener who found it who confessed he had it from a garden several years ago; [John] Templeton [(1766-1825), father of Irish natural history], [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin], and Dr [Whitley] Stokes [(1763-1845), physician and botanist] are scouring the mountains for it.

[Andrew] Caldwell has died.

Requests Smith's support in his candidature for the [Trinity College, Dublin] botany professorship. Method of election and the other candidates, considers himself in a strong position.

Reminds Smith he previously sent flowering specimens 'Pterogonium sciuroides', after Smith remarked in figure of same in "English botany" the rarity of finding it so. Asks after publication of "Compendium florae britannicae".

Encloses specimens: possible new 'Saxifraga', observations; 'Euphorbia hibernica' in flowering spring state, Smith's "English botany" figure does not entirely accord with the Irish plant; a 'Juncus' from County Whiclow that grows to 7 or 8 feet high.

Asks if the Irish 'Arbutus unedo' is to ever appear in "English botany"; wishes he was a curator, as gentlemen's gardeners call themselves, so that he might have better interest with [James] Sowerby. Does not think the 'Hypericum calycinum' of "English botany" is indigenous to Ireland, [James Townsend] Mackay [(1775-1862), curator of Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin] concurs; fears many such mistakes occur. Asks if Smith's new edition of "Introduction to Botany" contains new additions.

Asks if his bundle of Irish mosses is still unexplored, noticing that many are in "English botany" without mention of himself. 'Gnaphalium margaritaceum' common to Ireland.