Norwich news, including movements of [Thomas] Woodward and [James] Crowe. [John] Lightfoot thinks 'Clathrus flavus' is 'Mucor sphaerocephalus' and calls Woodward's 'Byssus' a 'Helvella polymorpha', it is not in [John] Ray's ["Synopsis methodica"] but is close to a figure in Schaeffer ["Descripto fungorum"]. According to Lightfoot the best collection of fungi is that of [Johann Jacob] Dillenius at Oxford. Crowe found 'Monotropa hypopitys' at Bracon, [Lincolnshire], and received 'Helvella planus' from [Henry] Bryant. Mr Humphrey found 'Agaricus quercinus'.

Does not think botany is essential to medical education beyond knowing which plants are used in medicine. Botanical discoveries: Sir Joseph Banks and [Daniel] Solander call Smith's 'Lichen miniatus' 'L. deustus'; [James] Crowe and [James] Dickson found 30 new cryptogamic species in Norfolk including two 'Pezizas' and a Jungermannia called 'hypnoides'; [Henry] Bryant found Dillenius' 'Sphaerocephalus terrestris minimus'; [Robert] Stone of Bungay [(d 1829)] discovered 'Hydnum imbricatum' and 'Lycoperdon coliforme'; description of a 'Fungus pulverulentus [...]' Ray "Synopsis methodica" 28.12. Discussion of plants: has not seen 'Lichen pullus' or 'Fucus palmatus'; Crowe's 'Lichen horizaontalis'; mistook 'Lichen parellus' for 'Lichen pertusus'; discoveries of 'Helvella caryophyllaea', 'Lichen miniatus', 'Boletus lucidus'; hopes to send 'Agaricus quercinus', 'Agaricus betulinus', and 'Boletus fomentarius'. Young [Carl] Linnaeus [(1741-1783)] is in London, has stopped his publication plans on account of Banks' 40,000 discoveries [possibly Australian plants].

Thanks for specimens; disappointed in obtaining some of Smith's desiderata, but hopes to acquire 'Ophrys aranifera' and 'Genista pilosa' from [Thomas] Woodward, as well as 'Stratiotes aloides'. Hopes Smith is enjoying his time and excursions in Scotland. Obstinate remitting, intermitting fevers in Norwich not yielding to "the Bark"; they are using a red bark taken in a Spanish prize, said to be stronger than the common.

Discusses Norwich 'Lichen', including: 'L. tartareus', 'L. parellus', 'L. pertusus', 'L. ventosus', and 'L. gelidus'; queries meaning of word "testaceus". Believes 'Cynosurus caeruleus' and 'Fontinalis pennata' Smith sent are incorrectly named; suggests 'Festuca decumbens' and 'Hypnum complanatum', respectively. [James] Crowe has a valuable Yorkshire correspondent, Mr Alexander, who supplies many plants, including 'L. fluviatilis'. Recent acquisitions: 'Tremella nostoi' and 'Peziza acetabulum', Sir Thomas Cullum found possible 'L. nivalis'. Plant supposed to be 'Hydnum imbricatum' not so; notes.

Comments on Smith's remarks on Crowe's 'Elymus', which had also been confirmed by Sir Joseph Banks and young Linnaeus in London.

Has been preparing parcel of Smith's desiderata. Smith's letter to his wife "very gallant". List of part of his desiderata, largely Cryptogamic in nature. Details of method by which he is sending Smith's parcel. Asks if 'Schoenus ferrugineus' has been found in Britain.

List of plant specimens gathered by [Thomas] Woodward.

Thanks for specimens; pleased Smith received his, including "fine" specimen of 'Arundo epigejos' from [Thomas] Woodward. His and [James] Crowe's opinion of Smith's doubtful plants: 'Lichen lanatus' is 'L. pubescens', 'L. sinuatus' is 'L. marginalis', 'L. sylvaticus' correct, 'Byssus cryptarum' is 'B. saxatalis', 'Fontinalis squamosa' or 'minor' is 'F. antipyretica' flowering, notes. Encloses specimens of 'F. squamosa' and 'F. minor' [extant].

Information on Mr Alexander of Halifax, Yorkshire, who is to be a physician or surgeon and who is currently training in London. Hopes Smith's studies are going well; does not mind making up prescriptions for Smith's patients, though "the poor must not be forgot".

Requests specimens of 'L. horizontalis', 'L. torrefactus', 'L. polyphyllus', 'L. caeruleo-nigricans', 'Saxifraga nivalis', and 'Saxifraga hypnoides'. Has not yet examined Smith's 'Fucus pygmaeus' with the mosses. Particular thanks for specimens of 'L.glomuliferus', 'L. vespartillio', 'Juncus trifidus', and 'Gnaphalium supinum'.

Specimen of 'Fontinalis squamosa', with note, and specimen of 'Fontinalis minor', with note.

Discusses the decocting of "red bark", possibly for agues: [William] Withering uses 'Salix alba', Smith recommends 'Salix myrsinites'. [John] Lightfoot says the 'Fontinalis pennata' Smith found is 'Hypnum complanatum'. Discussion of lichens: does not believe Smith's two 'Lichen parellus' specimens are distinct; agrees with 'L. pertusus'; Smith's 'L. gelidus' accords with Hudson ["Flora Anglica"] but does not think it distinct from 'L. ventosus'; mistakenly called 'L. fluviatilis' 'L. vivularis'; requests 'L. vespertilis', 'L. marginalis', and 'L. sylvaticus'; London botanists wrong about 'L. cristatus' and 'L. crispus', errors with Dillenius' plate of it; requests 'L. vernalis' of Lightfoot and 'L. fernugineus' of Hudson; Lightfoot's 'L. aurantiacus' is Hudson's 'L. ferrugineus' and not 'L. flavo-rubescens'; unsure what Lightfoot's 'L. vernalis' is in Hudson.

Thanks for specimen of 'Lichen aurantiacus' sent by [James] Dickson, asks if [William] Hudson acknowledges it as his 'L. flavo-rubescens', requests to see his 'L. ferrugineus'. Plants found by Dickson in Norfolk: 'Selinum palustre', 'Litorella lacustris' discussion of latter. Hudson thinks [Thomas] Woodward's new 'Lycoperdon' is an imperfect 'Agaricus procerus'. Encloses specimen of [Henry] Bryant's Cossey plant, believes it 'Jungermannia pinguis'; observations.

Notes for Smith to transmit to Hudson on specimens he sent Hudson for determination, including: 'Agaricus dubius', 'Boletus suaveoleus', and others.

["Spec 19" written in pencil at top of verso of first folio]

Congratulates Smith on purchase of the Linnaean collections, which "will be a means of making [Smith] much know". Dined with [Thomas] Woodward and [James] Crowe, latter anxious for Smith not to make any agreements as to disposal of collections before speaking to him. Glad Smith has said the purchase will not interfere with his medical studies, as exclusive study of natural history can only be pursued by those with independent fortunes. Advises Smith to buy the herbarium of the younger Linnaeus if not included in the main purchase, for the duplicates. Will now regard Smith as "a second Linnaeus", though afraid Smith's other pursuits will not enable him to make full use of the collections. Opportunity for correcting Linnaeus' incorrect synonyms in "Species plantarum". Many made unwell by "this cruel winter".

Pleased to hear of safe arrival of Linnaean collections, Smith must have been made anxious by long delay in its coming.

His considerations and advice on Linnaean collections, following discussion with Smith's father [James Smith]: recommends Smith focus on his medical studies, and after arranging and cataloguing it to his satisfaction he should decide what parts, if any, to dispose of; if Smith intends to give lectures then neither the minerals, plants, or insects can be disposed of. Recommends caution on publishing new editions of Linnaeus' works from the manuscripts, and suggests publishing a "Flora Britannica" in "Linnaean dress", if Smith can obtain [John] Ray's plants or verify his synonyms. Danger if exhibiting the plants of being pre-empted in publication of new English plants.

[Richard] Relhan has gathered 'Athamanta oreoselinum' Hudson and named by him 'A. hibanotis'. Hudson has found 'Corrigiola littoralis' on Devon coast.

Pleased the Linnaean collections answer Smith's expectations. A "Flora Britannica" needed to correct errors amongst English botanists and the false Linnaean names. Unable to accept Smith's invitation to Chelsea.

[William] Hudson has found 'Corrigiola littoralis' on coast of Devon. Lord Bute has begun printing his [botanical] work, and has presented a copy to the Queen [Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818)].

Thanks for Smith's civilities in London. Encloses a plant from [Thomas] Woodward; observations on its possible classification. Notes on 'Matricaria' and 'Chenopodium'.

Requests return of drawings when finished with. Thanks [John] Lightfoot for the 'Chenopodium', his 'C. rubrum' is correct but but 'C. urbicum' not Linnaeus'; his 'Matricaria chamomilla' is 'Chrysanthemum inodorum'. 'Orobanche ramosa' a valuable discovery.

Mr Humphrey is "grown almost childish" after suffering a hemiplegia; principal symptoms; a young lady suffering severe case successfully treated with the Bark with steel and aromatics.

Discovery of 'Sphaeria' Micheli ["Plantarum genera"] Pl.104 Tab.55, sends drawing, discusses how it has been universally found growing parasitically on 'Lycoperdon cervinum', possibility of Linnaeus confounding 'Lycoperdon cervinum' with 'Lycoperdon spadiceum', believes they may have been first to disover the true 'L. cervinum' in England.

Received a 'Lichen fuliginosus' of [James] Dickson and a 'Lichen croceus' which accords to [John Lightfoot's] "Fl[ora] Scot[ica]", asks Smith to compare his specimens. Reviews James Bolton's "History of English Ferns", highlights errors with 'Polypodium aculeatum', 'Polypodium fragrans', 'Polypodium [thelypteris]', 'Polypodium lobatum'. Asks Smith's opinion of [Anders] Spaarman's "Voyage to the Cape". Asks likelihood of a good herbarium selling for between £20 and £50 at an auction such as the Duchess of Portland's. 'Phallus caninus' and 'Peziza stipitata' found.

Thanks for plants, the unnamed one is 'Ophrys loselii'; asks if it is the same as 'O. paludosa' in "Flora Danica". [William] Hudson doubts if 'Aquilegia alpina' is different from 'A. vulgaris'. Declines Smith and [Samuel] Goodenough's invitation to join Linnean Society on basis that he has nothing to write about; he has no botanical pretensions, other than to know the British plants and specifically those intended by [John] Ray. Has the real 'Malva parviflora' of Linnaeus, found by Hudson in Devon. Remarks on prolific accenting errors in [William Withering's] "Botanical arrangement".

Discrepancies between 'Carex' listed in [John] Ray's "Historia plantarum" and "Synopsis"; surprised 'Carex caepitosa' is not in the "History", other 'Carex' anomalies. Asks Smith to remember 'Aconitum napellus' and 'Cammarum'. Disputes [Thomas] Woodward's statement that 'Arenaria verna' is probably not indigenous. Requests specimen of 'Conferva corallinoides' from [Samuel] Goodenough. Remarks on his 'Fucus multifidus'. Asks if Smith has seen Mr Rigby's treatise on sugar.

A connection made between himself and Mr Rigby, which will likely effect the rest of his life and a large portion of his son's. Hopes Smith likes his new house [on Great Marlborough Street, London]; its proximity to Sir Joseph Banks must render it agreeable; envies Smith his journey to Oxford with Banks and thinks Smith was "born under an auspicious planet" and deserves the many advantages he enjoys. Botany at a standstill in Norfolk. Expecting a 'Carex inflata' or 'C. montana' from [William] Hudson; received two 'Fucus' and an 'Ulva' from Mr Wigg. [James] Crowe ill with gout.

Believes it will be long time before marine plants are well known. Discussion of 'Aconitum napellus', 'Polypodium thelypteris', 'Carex caespitosa', 'Carex recurva', 'Arenaria verna', 'A. striata', asks what 'Veronica fruticulese' is now called.

[Robert] Stone [(c 1751-1829), botanist] has found 'Carex strigosa' near Bungay, [Suffolk]. Satisfaction he receives from [John] Ray's "little, accurate descriptions". Requests 'Dinathus glaucus' and 'Carex capillaris'. Fears he will not receive any further correspondence from [Samuel] Goodenough.

Sending specimens for Linnean Society. Remarks on 'Carex strigosa', recently discovered in Norfolk. He and [Thomas] Woodward were unsuccessful in their search for 'Ophrys loeselii'. Requests 'Dianthus virgineus', 'D. glaucus', 'Anconitum napellus', and 'A. cammarum'. Woodward has found 'Carex limosa'.

Recently treated a case of "retroversi uteri" according to Dr Denman's "Introduction to Midwifery" but the patient miscarried.

Received specimen of 'Equisetum fluviatile' from Woodward, expects it it rare.

Happy to hear Matlock, [Derbyshire], agreed with Smith so well and that he is now in good health. Pleased with Smith's Dr De Ramm, although as Smith observes "he is but a bit of a Botanist"; received of him 'Lemna arrhiza' and promise of 'Alisina natans', and a letter from [Nicholas] Gwyn. Mr Sutton has acquired the living of St George's Tombland, [Norwich], and will occupy the same room where Smith, [Thomas] Woodward, and himself often discussed botany. Received from Gwyn the true 'Centaurea solstitialis'.

Received Smith's 'Carex capillaris'. Received letter from [Samuel] Goodenough entirely on 'Carex'; some of Goodenough's remarks including 'Carex caespitosa' not in England, and Linnaeus' 'C. muricata' is 'C. spicata' Fl Ang. Requests 'Echinophora spinosa'. Offers to send specimen of 'Salsola fruticosa' for Linnean Society. Asks Sir Joseph Banks' opinion of Peter Pindar's [John Wolcot's pseudonym (1738-1819), satirist] poem to him ["Sir Joseph Banks and the Emperor of Morocco: a tale" (1788)].