Thanks for first 2 volumes of "Flora Britannica". Gave the seeds of British plants sent by Smith to Mr John McKay; Dr Rutherford pleased, has made many changes to the interior of the Botanic Garden. Notes on horned cattle. Account of [James] Playfair's [(1738-1819), Church of Scotland minister] findings from his study of honey bees, particularly regarding drones. Great changes in the Edinburgh Natural History Society this winter, which is now entirely experimental chemistry. Dr Waltner extremely ill. College classes well attended.

Asks if the 'Fucus fastigiatus' of the Linnaean herbarium has any fruit on it as described in "Linnean Transactions" vol 3 p200, and if so requests smallest sample possible in order to draw it under microscope; he has made some important discoveries respecting fructification in this species and its affinities.

Requests to become a subscriber of "Flora Graeca". Does not wish the remaning volume of "Flora Anglica" ["Flora Britannica"?] to come out until the modern cryptogamists are more advanced. Has much to add to the physiology of 'Fucus' from parcels of winter specimens in fruit sent from Cornwall, Bognor, [Sussex], and the Isle of Wight.

Has looked over the sample of the "Flora Graeca" Smith sent and generally approves of the plan although believes the title to not be very logical. Received parcels from the Academy of Stockholm the day before the embargo on Swedish vessels, including some for Smith: one from the Academy containing documents and two from [Carl Peter] Thunberg.

Asks Smith to thank Mr Grave for "his magnificent present" of a swan, and Smith's mother for turkeys. Uncertain how the "sudden and unexpected concussion" caused by resignation of Prime Minister William Pitt will end, "dear old England cannot suffer much" [Pitt resigned after an impasse was reached over Catholic Emancipation].

A draft of the Linnean Society charter is with Sir Joseph Banks for his opinion. Obliged to Smith for offer to send a Norfolk turkey and provides his address. The late [Benjamin] Robertson [(c 1732-1800)] of Stockwell, [London], has left property worth £80,000-£100,000 to establish a public botanic garden; he is one of the 7 Trustees it is left to, lists the others; regrets not making Robertson a FLS.

Postpones their visit to Smith until the weather is more settled and warmer. Suffering from bad digestion and irregular bowels; prescribed pills of half-soap, half-rhubarb, but thinks analpetic pill or more rhubarb would be better. Should Smith still wish to visit Roche a literary call would be sufficient. Smith's discovery of 'Lichen floridus' "curious", concludes much is still wanting understanding the physiology of the Cryptogamic class; discusses tubercules and fructification in detail, with reference to Hedwig and 'Fucus' species.

Hopes the turkey arrived safely, explains his reason for sending. Glad to hear of [Benjamin] Robertson's [(c 1732-1800)] bequest of £80,000 [to establish a public botanic garden]; excited by possibilities and intends to name a 'Robertsonia' at first opportunity.

Intends to have first volume of "Flora Graeca" put to the press by end of April, and intends to be in London in early May.

Thanks for turkey and letter. Has not yet met the other Trustees of [Benjamin] Robertson [(c 1732-1800)] [bequest of £80,000 to establish a botanic garden], but already has plans for a Professor; does not intend allowing any of the Trustees having superintendence of the garden.

Moved to Fulham "out of the bustle" of London. Hoping to send the engravings, specimens and manuscripts for his book "Description of the genus Pinus" but waiting first for Lamarck's next volume in which he hopes for information on 'Pinus orientalis'. Paid twelve guineas for the engraving of 'Pinus sylvestris'. Bought the "Flora Peruviana" for seventeen guineas, believes it is the only copy in England. Received his first share of [William] Roxburgh's Indian plants from Sir Joseph Banks, currently on 'Triandria', will send any duplicates Smith desires. Discusses 'Durva', the 'Agrostis linearis' of Retz, figured in volume four of "Asiatick Researches" by Sir William Jones [(1746-1794) philologist]. Believes it is 'Panicum dactylon', remarks that even [Carl Ludwig] Willdenow was mistaken about it. Has been in chair at Linnean Society every other meeting since Smith left town.

Thanks for the very favourable review of "Flora Britannica" in the January issue of the "Monthly Review". Explains that there will be a longer delay in publishing the remaining volumes in order to compare Cryptogamia and fungus in [James] Dickson's "Cryptogamia", [Erik] Acharius' "Prodromus Lichenographiae Suecicae", and [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon's "general work on fungi"; and have a further two seasons of spring to work on 'Salix'. Responds to remarks made in the review on nomenclature.

Sending 'Phascum' specimens; his method for keeping them. Finds that most botanists have confounded 'P. multicapsulare', 'P. aphyllum', and 'P. stoloniferum' under 'P. acaulon'; observations.

Sends 'Bryum canceolatum' by request, also 'P. muticum', 'P. acaulon', 'P. bryoides', 'Lichen narius' of Hoffmann, 'L. punctiformis', 'P. curviocollum'; a "singular production", 'P. scandens'.

[Johann Karl Adam] Murhard [(1781-1863)] of Gottingen; Berg-Rath Wille of Fredrickshalle, Hesse; and John Schaub, Professor of Chemistry, Hesse Capel, have all been proposed as FMLS by [George] Shaw and [John] Parkinson. Received draft of Linnean Society charter from Sir Joseph Banks, intends to send it on to Smith shortly.

Makes observation on upper pair of leaves in his 'Rubus' compared to [James] Sowerby's; brought specimens for Sir Joseph Banks but he does not think there is a second species. Has his 'Ulva lumbricalis' for Smith. Has taken his seat but unsure how long he will hold it and confusion of politics prevents the arrangement in which his brother is concerned from taking place at present. Has just received Chelmsford felons' calendar with 110 names, the Yorkshire has 59.

Dawson Turner has been with him. Keen to talk with Macleay in person about plans for [Benjamin] Robertson's [(c 1732-1800)] botanic garden. Neither he nor Turner have any knowledge of the three recent FMLS proposals, and asks that they be withdrawn, as he wishes the foreign list is increased as little as possible before the charter is received.

[Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon has requested the drawings for his paper on fungi be returned, as he has published the text in his "Synopsis Fungorum"

Sends [Friedrich] Stromeyer's dissertation at Stromeyer's request [(1776-1835)], in gratitude for the information he found in Smith's works. Noehden nominates him as a FMLS. Stromeyer hopes to visit England and Smith after touring France and the Pyrenees.

Thanks for Smith's "authentic & decisive" information in response to his queries; leaves all his specimens in Smith's hands. Was not aware he sent specimens of 'Carex flava' intermixed with those of 'C. fulva'; encloses further spikes of the latter; observations. [Samuel] Goodenough sent him a copy of his "Linnean Transactions" paper on "British species of 'Carex'" but found no reference to himself for variety of 'C. muricata', but confirms the specimens Smith received are the same as the ones he formerly sent Goodenough.

Observations on other plants and specimens, including: 'Carex' resembling 'C. ampullacea', 'Dianthus caryophyllus', 'Mentha gentilis', 'Chara flexilis', encloses specimen of 'Trifolium striatum', saw 'Conferva aegagropila' hopes to acquire specimens soon. Intends to send Smith list of his desiderata.

[Spec 29 written in pencil at head of folio]

Thanks for specimen of 'Hypnum smithii' and opinion on 'Phascum' specimens he sent Smith; observations on these, including possible new species of stemless 'crispum', 'P. aphyllum' different from 'P. muticum', 'P. bryoides'. Approves of name 'Salix russelliana'. Finds that the 'P. scandens' is 'Mnium annotinum' Linnaeus; sends specimen in fruit; observations. Sends specimens of 'Lichen punctiformis', and 'Lichen luteus' Withering, which grows on bark of pollard ashes. Also sends 'Bryum rusescens'.

["Spec. 1" annotated in pencil at top of verso of folio]

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.