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.

No summary available.

Thanks for parcel and letters from his father, mother, Frank [Smith's brother], and Sally. Responds to his father's letter of 28 November [1782]; defends Mr Cooper. Reassures his father he shall never disrespect any advice given. Offers to acquire fossil collection for Dr Manning. Oats scarce in Scotland, collections are being made for the poor. Just received his father's letter of 26 December [1782]. Their Natural History Society going on well; they are to have 4 annual presidents, hopes to be one of them; just submitted a paper on the "Phenomena of Vegetable Odours"; often speaks in the Medical Society. He has won Dr [John] Hope's medal [for best Scottish herbarium]; he was the only one to enter but complimented on the collection, which was larger than that of Dr Parsons', the last successful one. Congratules Richard, [Smith's brother], on the prizes he has won, and admires his drawings. Just attended funeral of son of Dr Reid of Glasgow; grief of the family; peculiar death, which came on at crisis of unsevere fever, from Tympanites.

Thanks for box of books, especially the [Leonard] Plukenet [(1642-1706), botanist], marbles and pebbles, and plant specimens. Discusses the specimens, including plants: 'Aralea', 'Sitbaldier', 'Acrostichum septentrionale', 'Gnaphalium alpinum', 'Silene acaulis', 'Empetrum nigrum'; requests 'Saxifraga nivalis', 'Saxifraga caespitosa', and 'Ranunculus reptens'; lichens, including: 'Lichen laratus', 'L. pubescens', 'L. plumbius', 'L. ventosus', and 'L. gildius'; gathered 'L. omphaloides', 'L. scrobiculatus', 'L. geographicus'; and 'Juncus', including 'J. spicatus', 'J. campestris', 'J. biglumis', also the 'Arundo epigeios' he sent Smith. Smith's 'Lycoperdon' is clearly new.

Charles Bryant [(d 1799)] published and dedicated his pamphlet to Sir Joseph Banks; thinks Banks cannot have read it as he sent a letter of thanks, and in doing so "prostituted his pen", especially as he is the "present head of English botanists"; Bryant's errors.

Lists his Lightfoot desiderata. Has not said anything on the mosses Smith sent; [John] Pitchford thinks Smith's 'Fontinalis pennater' is 'Hypnum crispum'. 'Fontinalis squamosa' or 'F. minor' appears to be 'F. antipgretica'.

No summary available.