Sending plants collected during 3 month excursion with [George] Bentham in summer of 1825 to eastern and high Pyrenees; Bentham has published catalogue of the flora of Pyrenees. Plants sent include: 'Lithospermum oleifolium'; 'Vicia argentea'; 'Seseli montanum'; asks if 'Cynoglossum sylvaticum' of England is same as that of Hancke; asks the true character between 'Sideritis hyssopifolia' and 'Sideritis scordioides'; 'Veronica fruticulosa'; after observations fears 'Ajuga alpina', 'A. geneventis', and 'A. pyramidalis' form one species; 'Orobanche pruinosa'; at Strasbourg determined that 'Potamogeton cuspidatum' gathered near Forfar is identical with 'P. zosterifolius' Schum; observations on all. Smith may find it useful to have the French synonyms for British species; he would have found it useful to have references given to DeCandolle's works in determining Pyrenee plants.

Thanks for turkey. The Duke of York in "the last stage of a hopeless case" [Prince Frederick (1763-1827), died 5 January 1827 of dropsy and apparent cardio-vascular disease]. Dares not mention the name he alluded to as the matter is not followed up, but it begins with an "H" [presumably the scandal involving a member of the Athenaeum mentioned in Goodenough's previous letter].

Will do all he can to satisfy Smith with Cape 'Orchideae'. Has a young artist to make painting from live specimens, sending figure of 'Disperis villosa' [extant]. Believes a "very splendid" work could be made from having a painting of every Cape species in full flower, with Smith being sent dried specimens to provide full descriptions from; difficulty of transporting live plants back to England.

Has sent promised papers to Sir Everard Home [(1756-1832), physician] describing new species each of 'Hyaena' and 'Hyrax'; observations on gland secretions of former; hopes Home will send them to Linnean Society and that they will be published in "Linnean Transactions". It is his ambition to produce a good work on zoology of South Africa. Many collectors currently here: 3 from Prussia, 3 from France, and 6 from other European countries. Lists some of the curiosities of his portfolio; he is particularly interested in snakes. Mode natural history is now studied makes it easier to notice habits of animals for classification.

Watercolour of 'Disperis villosa'.

Encloses a paper on Junius [pseudonym of an unknown 18th century letter writer]. Has been collecting information about Dr Samuel Parr, enquires whether Smith or any friends of his have any letters from him or information about him they can share for a memoir to be written by Dr John Johnstone. Barker's index to the "Greek Thesaurus" is far advanced. Mr Bowring has informed him that Jeremy Bentham intends to give him a memoir of Mr Lind, "author of the letters on Poland", for use in his book which is nearly finished.