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Thanks for election as FMLS. Sending his paper on genus 'Dillenia' for "Linnean Transactions". Received a specimen of 'Ternstromia', a species of his 'Cleyera'. Awaiting list of Smith's plant requirements, but in meantime enclosing specimes of 'Hovenia' and other grasses. Whilst he was in Africa received specimen of 'Wachendorfia graminifolia', and brought back from Japan nuts of 'Gingko bilboa', but has been unable to obtain flowers from it.

Received from Smith academic dissertations by Linnaeus, plants for his herbarium and seeds, which have been planted in [Rodrigo de] Sousa [Coutinho's] garden, suggests in future Smith sends seeds rather than dried specimens to Sousa. Planning to write to [Edmund] Davall. Hopes to see a new edition of Smith's "Vegetabilium System", a bookseller in Turin would like every book on botany or natural history Smith has published or intends to publish. Satisfied with Smith's observations on the plants of uncertain classification, has consulted Scheuchzer's "Agrostographiae Helveticae Prodromus", is certain that the 'Phalaris' in question is the one described by Linnaeus and not 'Radice perenni', on which he is currently working on a memoir of for the Academy of Sciences. The 'Arenaria' he sent with the name of 'Saxatilis vill' is a perennial. Discussion of 'Arenaria zanoni', 'Arenaria flaccida', 'Arenaria capillacea', 'Arenaria striata'. Asks for advice on 'Allium nigrum', 'Potentilla verna', 'Androsace lactea', 'Ranunculus cuneifolium', 'Campanula rupestris', 'Trifolium aureum', 'Spartium [...]', 'Asperula saxatilis', 'Asperula cynanchica', 'Festuca decidua', 'Radix perennis', 'Polypodium [pessimalte]', 'Anthemis altissima', all of which Smith has received from Bellardi, this list is underlined in pencil.

Introduces Mr Istria, a medical doctor interested in natural history and botany.

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Thanks for books. Introduces Onofrio Scasso, a physician who studied at Pavia University and is now in London to learn new skills. Thanks for being made ALS. Has been neglecting his natural history studies since his appointment as assistant lecturer to chair of anatomy, occupied by his father.

Struggling to grow the seeds sent by Smith due to their arrival late in the season. [William] Thomson [(c 1760-1806), mineralogist and physician] is to visit him and although pleased is disturbed by the reason for his journey [Thomson was disgraced in 1790 following imputations from a previous experiment on a man and accusations of "improper behaviour" with a servant boy]. Involved in sourcing the Republic's army with clothing and other items. Introduces Dr Onofrio Scasto who is carrying the letter and travelling with Mr Malis. Requests seeds, especially of 'Passiflora', 'Mimosa', 'Robinia', 'Aeschinomene', 'Cassia', and 'Lantana', amongst others. Attempting to grow 'Phaseolus caracalla' again after it died in cold weather.

Sending Smith eight volumes of the Royal Agricultural Society of Turin via Dr Istria, who is travelling to London with the Marquess of Moss, asks that Smith introduces Istria to the medical establishment. Also sending a dissertation on the propagation of mushrooms, work by Mr Pic and a pamphlet by Mr Bonansea on a new theory on the internal cause of the putrid fever. Has had to postpone sending dried plant specimens. Hopes in future to send the five volumes of the old Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin and the three volumes of the new Royal Academy of Sciences. Thanks Smith for the paper he sent on the "propagation of species" and seeds of 'Smithia' and welcomes his paper on ferns and on any other subject of natural history.

Discusses English 'Mentha': received 'Mentha villosa' [Hudson] "Fl[ora] Ang[lica]" from [Samuel] Goodenough which confirms that 'Mentha villosa' [Ray] "Syn[opsis methodica]" 233.1 is not the true one and is probably related to 'Mentha viridis', sends specimen to Smith and makes his own observations, asks how Linnaeus has marked it and 'Mentha verticillata' in his copy of Ray's book. Requests specimen of 'Mentha sativa'; asks if Ray's 'Mentha verticillata' is same as Linnaeus'; [John] Lightfoot found only 'Mentha gentilis' around Hackney and Peckham, encloses a Norfolk specimen of it [extant]. Lightfoot believes 'Mentha viridis' is related to 'Mentha sylvestris'. Believes botanists might be wrong to disregard the length of 'Mentha' stamina.

[On separate folio] Further observations on [William] Hudson's descriptions of 'Mentha villosa', 'M. sylvestris and 'M. rotundifolia', 'M. aquatica', 'M. gentilis', 'M. arvensis', and 'M. satvia'.

Specimen of 'Mentha gentilis', label states it is from William Sole.

Sent [James] Sowerby flower of 'Myrtus tomentosa', which he is painting life sized for her "in its full dignity of royal purple", it flowers "for ever" but they turn white after a few days in sun. Astonished by how much the 'Passiflora' in her hothouse has flowered, called "the Bats wing" by herself and 'P. vespertilio' by [Samuel] Goodenough, resembles the one in Smith's ["Icones pictae plantarum rariorum...", 'Passiflora lunata']; will send pressed flower, fresh flower and leaves for comparison, notes her own observations. Loddiges sent it as true 'Passiflora vespertilio' with two 'Cinnamomum', one which Loddiges insists is the true and the other the same as Mr Hastings', a mango, and white flower variety of 'Rhododendron mexicana'.

Jokes that she will soon be King's Bench Prison [debtors' prison in Southwark, London] where she "shall look for relief to some of my botanical friends".

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No summary available.