Thanks for specimens; his "Genera" completed; foundation of Linnean Society

Viborg visiting London; presents Smith with his "Genera".

Introduces Viborg; has finished work on 'Passifloraceae'.

Shortly leaving for Connaught [Connacht, Ireland], hopes to be more successful with his natural history researches than on his last visit. Asks after a "Flora Hibernica" he believes he heard of in London. Extract from unnamed book recently published in Ireland on discovery of elk antlers and skeleton in 1783 on the "sea lands of the Bishop of Dromore". Encloses drawing [not extant] of a "Borer" insect causing damage to West Indies sugar canes as the Hessian fly does in America, sent larvae to [Thomas] Marsham.

Thanks for courtesies Smith showed to his pupil. Shall see that Smith's pupil [probably François Borone] is educated in drawing and Latin. [Fulgenzio] Vitman [(1728-1806)], professor of botany in Milan, is publishing a book of all known plants, his previous work on medicinal plants was derided by a French newspaper.

Smith's pupil [François] Borone was to be taken into service of the Archduke, then to study botany at Pavia university, both of which would have left him unable to learn Latin as Smith desired, and is now to return to England instead. Had hoped to cross Smith's path next May at Mount Cenis but told by Borone that Smith is no longer making the journey. Heard that Smith's brother is fond of architecture, sends gift for him.

Grateful for election as a member of the Linnean Society. Will soon send copies of an "Auctarium" published the previous summer, one for Royal Society, one for Sir Joseph Banks, one for Smith, one for Linnean Society and twelve to be sold.

Thanks Smith for parcel containing letters patent of Linnean Society and drawing of 'Smithia sensitiva'. Honoured to be accepted as an FMLS. Thanks Smith for his promise of helping to increase his herbarium and his garden. Asks again for advice on plants of an uncertain origin so he can finish work on a book of rare plants. Believes that Linnaeus has attributed the same kind of seed to 'Anthoscanthus' and 'Festuca', Bellardi convinced they belong to 'Festuca'. Explains doubts over Smith's claim that 'Phalaris savilianensis' of Linnaeus' herbarium will be identical to 'Phalaris bulbosa' with comparison of plates from [Jacques] Barrelier. [Dominique] Villars doubts his 'Arenaria saxatilis' is the same as described by Linnaeus. Has identified a 'Silene saxifraga' Smith sent as 'Cucubalus rupestris' of [Carlo] Allioni's "Auctarium ad Flora Pedemontana". Discussion of 'Saxifraga cespitosa', 'Saxifraga cotyledon', 'Saxifraga caesia', 'Saxifraga aizoon'. Has specimens of 'Agrostemma flos-jovis', 'Salix reticulata' and 'Dryas octopetala' to send to Smith when desired. Details of the publishing schedule for his fasciculi. Has received package from Mr Viborg of Copenhagen, asks Smith to send regards. Publication of Italian version of Smith's dissertation delayed.

Sending specimens of 'Trifolium alpinum', 'Salix reticulata', 'Dryas octopetala' and 'Agrostemma flos-jovis' via Mr Boroni. Has included "Phisico-Medica" dissertation by Mr Botta, seeds, and his list of desiderata [extant, see RelatedMaterial below]. Enquires price of Hudson's "Flora Anglica" and Dillenius "Historia muscorum".

Sent to Smith via Mr Boroni. Four columns of plants per page, some marked by Smith.

The genus "Broussonetia".

Has received Smith's works, but damaged in transit; De Jussieu.

Accounts for books supplied.

Introduces Dr Viborg.

Sends memoirs for Linnean Society; books wanted; news.

[Note in Smith's hand] remarks on specimen sent by L'Héritier.

Recalls journey with Smith from Lyons to Montpellier which created his interest in botany; project to found National History Museum.

His trip to Paris: Broussonet took him to the Académie des Sciences in Paris and has enabled correspondence with Montpellier, [France]. [Jean Louis Antoine] Reynier [(1762-1824), botanist] meddling with politics and may end up in the Bastille; he is an observer of "considerable perspicacity" having determined 'Sonchus canadensis' without the the knowledge Smith had communicated. Purchased [Johan Daniel] Leers' ["Flora Herbornensis"] but plates are bad impressions.

In Paris Broussonet took him to Académie des Sciences and established correspondence between him with [Jacques] Dorthes in Montpellier, [France]; no time for the Société d'Agriculture. Deep snow drifts on journey from Pontarlier, [France], to Orbe. Insulted by [Jean Louis Antoine] Reynier's [(1762-1824), botanist] criticism of his Latin. Found 'Carex tomentosa' for [Samuel] Goodenough. Ordered six copies of the new edition of Leers' ["Flora Herbornensis"] being published in Berlin. The lesser 'Caryophylla' in his herbarium could be worth Smith's attention. Believes they both hold 'Arenaria striata' and 'Arenaria liniflora'; the first is alpine and the second is Jurane and answers to plant at Kew. What he thought was a 'Colchium montanum' in his garden may be 'Bulbicodium', and if so an addition to the Swiss flora. Asks Smith's advice on 'Chenopodium' of Linnaeus and [Albrecht von] Haller with detailed reference to various publications. Has been sent Leers' 'Hypericum dubium' and a friend found Jacquin's '[Hypericum] barbatum'; offers to send these and 'Phaca australis' from Reynier's herbarium.

Flights of 'Ampelis garrulus'; received shot specimen of 'Oriolus galbula'. Examined insect 'Hister quadrimaculatus', thinks it rare. Has specimen of 'Ribes alpinum' for Smith; 'Astragalus monspessulanus' coming into flower in garden. Thinks the 'Thilco' in Feuillée's "Description of the medicinal plants of Chili & Peru" (1709) is 'Fuschia coccinea'. Pleased Smith is figuring 'Sonchus alpinus' in his first fasciculus ["Icones plantarum"]; found '[Sonchus] canadensis' in his garden. Will send specimen of [Albrecht von] Haller's 1338. Wishes François [Borone, Smith's assistant] to put aside as many plants for him as possible.

[Jean Louis Antoine] Reynier [(1762-1824), botanist] should be expelled from Linnean Society "as an arrogant & foolish enemy of Linnaeus"; [Jacob] Wyttenbach, [Berthout] Van Berchem and others in Switzerland despise him for his manner during sale of his herbarium, and he is now renaming plants. Will send specimen of 'Carex tomentosa'. Praises [James] Sowerby's artistry. Leaves definition of 'Choenopodium polyspermum' to Smith. Has one specimen of the 'Hypenica'. Has a pair of chamois horns for Smith. Thanks for Sir Joseph Banks' fruits for Wyttenbach. Apologises to [Joseph] Jacquin for almost naming the [Nikolaus] Jacquin's 'Draba stellata', 'Draba saxatilis'. L'Heritier spoke to him about 'Spartium' and Swiss flora though Davall is shamed by Smith's report of his behaviour. Hopes print his work at Berne rather than Lausanne.

Sending a hurriedly prepared package of plants including 'Cistus' and 'Carex tomenstosa'. An error in 'Spartium'. Sends box of cryptogamia for [James] Dickson from Ducros. Visiting convent at top of St Bernard in August, said to be the most elevated habitation known and higher than plain of Mount Cenis. Forgot to pack 'Valeriana montana' and 'Crocus vernus'.