Unenthusiastic about Smith's apparent offer to obtain the works on animals of Albertus Magnus [(c 1206-1280) Dominican friar and bishop], "of all dull books, the most dull are those of scholastic writers". Grudgingly advises only to buy if the 1478 Rome or 1479 Mantua editions should ever surface, "though it is throwing money away on trash". Received an answer from [Johann] Hedwig "to the prize question in Petersburg, with 37 colour plates" and the two first fasciculi of his "Stirpes Cryptogamicae". Agrees with Hedwig's account of the "fructification of 'Filices' and 'Algae' although unconvinced on 'Equisteum'. Sends compliments to [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet, asks how the Royal Society can acquire the complete set of "Memoires de l'academie des Sciences", lists years currently missing.

Will have to delay his paper on 'Begonia' as Smith is not in London for the first meeting of the Linnean Society and he needs to see the Linnaean Herbarium to settle 'Begonia capensis'. Also suspects that the large-leaved 'Begonia' in Linneaus the younger's herbarium is the 'Begonia grandeflora' of [Joseph von Nicolaus] Jacquin and 'Begonia macrophylla' of Lamarck. Studying [Antoine Laurent de] Jussieu's "Genera Plantarum", and will be necessary for Smith to study before publishing any more work.

[Smith has briefly noted his reply] Hopes to be in London for the first meeting but not in time to study 'Begonia', so will supply somthing else for the meeting, comments on errors on Lichens in volume two of Jacquin's ["Collectanea ad botanicam"].

Believes Smith is right to include an index of the genera for "Flora Britannica" but that the English index should be at the end and approves of the title. [John] Sibthorp's plants have now been laid out in the herbarium.

News for Dryander to relate to the Linnean Society: consulted Sir Joseph Banks on propriety of the Society applying for a charter from the King [George III (1738-1820)], Banks thinks it would be favourably received; Bishop of Winchester [Brownlow North] pleased by his nomination as an Honorary Member; Marquis of Blandford [George Spencer-Churchill] requests that M. de Tremear's nomination certificate be withdrawn as he has returned to France for time being.

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.