Arrangements for payment for numbers of "English botany".

His travels through Holland, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, intends to winter in Lausanne. Five days after embarking from Yarmouth, Norfolk, briefly taken prisoner by the Dutch and taken to Amsterdam along with Lord Berwick [Thomas Noel Hill (1770-1832) 2nd Baron Berwick of Attingham] and other passengers, but his baggage was spared and he was able see Holland which he would not have otherwise done. In Germany, where "they respect the Linnean Society", relates that [Georg Franz] Hoffmann, director of Göttingen Botanic Garden, has found undiscovered species in 'Jungermannia' and would like to send a paper on it to the Linnean Society but uneasy over the expense of drawings and plates, wonders if the Society would defray all or part of it. [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon has complained to [Johann Friedrich] Blumenbach and others that he sent the Society several valuable 'Cryptogamous' plants and not had them acknowledged in any way. Hoffman is intending to publish a new account of the genus 'Aster'.

At Bern, Switzerland, saw [Jacob Samuel] Wyttenbach who informed him that [Edmund] Davall is suffering from a paralytic affliction. In Switzerland has discovered a "very excellent and laborious botanist", [Johann Christoph] Schleicher [(1768-1834)], based at Bix. Unsure how long he will remain in Switzerland as his intentions of returning to England via the veterinary schools of France are hindered by the distant "prospect of a peace" with France. Friends are attempting to get him a passport, asks for assistance from Smith and Sir Joseph Banks in attempting to obtain a pass from the Directory [Executive Directory, body of five directors that held executive power in France, 1795-1799] as has been told that letters of recommendation from men of science hold more weight than from men in power.

Has obtained Peter Huber's paper on "the natural history of the humble-bees" for the Linnean Society and relates some of its principal discoveries; Huber is the son of William Huber of Geneva who published an "ingenious" work on hive bees five years ago including discovery that the queen bee is impregnated out of the hive whilst on the wing and that it is fatal to the males. Huber intends to publish further observations on bees in a second volume, including on the small pouches between the segments on the undersides of the abdomen, in which wax is inserted, and has also observed that the "yellow matter" found on the legs of bees is "bee bread", as discovered by John Hunter [(1728-1793), surgeon and anatomist] before him, but Huber found that this was known to an "old English author on bees which was translated early in [the eighteenth] century into German".

Grateful for Smith's assistance in helping him through France and during his "exile" intends to work on framing much better characters for the division of 'Phalaena' [moths]. Unable to give an account of [Edmund] Davall. Comments that "our revolution" has passed off without bloodshed [French invasion of Switzerland], however at the first moment of its revolt every Englishman except himself left Lausanne as it was expected that the [French] would attack, forcing the cantons to gradually fall off [from the Swiss Confederation] and leave Bern at the mercy of the French. Asks whether [William] Kirby has published on bees as was being reported before leaving England.

Staying with [Edmund] Davall in Orbe, gives a detailed account of Davall's current condition and its history. Believes Davall's condition to be more epilepsy than paralysis and to have had its immediate cause in overwork and overeating from the delusion that he was threatened with a consumption. Detailed description of Davall's fits, has been prescribed powder of valerian root with a little musk to be taken 3 or 4 times a day, has also been treated with "calomil bark" and "flores zinci". Davall experienced much uneasiness having only heard rumours circulated by the French as to the condition of England, has been relieved to hear of the efforts of English resistance. Believes Davall will recover. Comments on the beauty of the area around Orbe. Hopes to send a work by Linnaeus he found in Bern, Switzerland.

Update on [Edmund] Davall's health, which has become more settled with only one partial attack in the last 13 weeks. Davall's physician has prescribed "pills of asafoetida" but finding them too heavy Clark suggetsed Davall take gentle doses of opiates to ease his irritability which also had the benefit of easing his constipation. With [Peter] Hubert has been correcting the paper on bees, comments that the style is heavily influenced by [René Antoine Ferchault de] Réaumur [(1683-1757) French scientist]. Comments on the pleasing appearance of the Alps now that the snow has melted. Is hopeful of obtaining a passport for France from Mr Pitch of Geneva, for which he wrote a piece on veterinary co[lleges] for the "Bibliotheque Brittanique". If disappointed shall return to England via Germany.

Relates events of [Edmund] Davall's death, which occured 26 September 1798. Davall had been confined to his bed for the last three weeks, describes his health in the run up to his death. Died as the apothecary was applying sinasims [mustard plasters] to his feet. Mrs Davall very miserable at her loss. Shocked by Swiss custom to dress and bury the dead in their best clothes, believes it is strongly insisted on by the lower classes. Davall has left Smith his Herbarium. Clark concerned that Davall's "splendid collection" of books shall be a heavy burden to the family in the current distressed condition of Switzerland and Europe. As he has no prospect of getting to France he shall shortly to return to England, having been away 14 months. Hubert sending his paper on bees soon.

Convinced that the fructification of what they believe is 'Cycas revoluta' is new to England and possibly Europe; did not see it flower but makes observations on its leaves and fruit; Mr Poulter sent Smith half of one of the fruits, will send more of the fruits himself unless Smith visits soon. One of his daughters is painting the fructification. Asks how to transmit the information to Linnean Society as Linnaeus' only says a few words on the 'Cycas' genus. Will pay for a painter to make an image of it if necessary.

Flattered by Smith's intention to visit Farnham, which he can undertake at anytime, though Mr Poulter is visiting next week should Smith wish to promote the botanical purpose of the visit.

Thanks Smith for his recent visit to Farnham and for his observations on 'Cycas [revoluta]' and other plants. Infers that 'Cycas' is dioecious from Bauer's painting of a male plant at Vienna and the lack of the corculum in his seed. Shall put aside a specimen of the seed and frondeal leaf for the Linnean Society, thanks for account from [Carl Peter] Thunberg. Thanks Smith for Cape seeds.

Dedicated his "Phytographia" to Smith, apologises for its deficiencies. Desirous to establish a correspondence and exchange of plants, as few plants grow in Germany in the fields or gardens.

Sending description of trees and fruits grown in this area ["Berlinische Baumzucht" (1796)]. Observations on 'Sanchus alpinus', 'Sanchus vulgaris', 'Sonchus canadensis', 'Sonchus montanus', 'Sideroxylon spinosum', 'Rhanius pentaphyllus', and 'Arenaria juniperina'.

Sending part one of his edition of "Species plantarum", apologises for deficiencies; reliant on his own herbarium, not having access to England's "well-endowed" herbariums.

Sending second part of first volume of his edition of "Species plantarum". Will send Smith rare plants and diploma of their Society of Natural Scientists in a month's time.

Sending first part of second volume of his "Species plantarum", asks if Smith received the first volume and diploma of Society of Natural Scientists. Was unaware that Smith had named a genus 'Persoonia', in honour of [Christiaan Hendrik] Persoon; he also named a genus after Persoon in his "Species plantarum", proposes alternative 'Marshallia' for his, in honour of L B Marshall of Biberstein. Sending article from "Transactions of the Natural Scientists".

Sending second part of second volume of his edition of "Species plantarum", containing classes 'Dodecandria', 'Icosandria', and 'Polyandria'. Third volume, to follow shortly, will contain 'Didynamia', 'Tetredynamia', and 'Monadelphia'. Discusses various species of 'Carex' still under dispute, including 'Carex montana', 'C. leporina', 'C. canescens', 'C. globularis', 'C. ovalis', 'C. paradoxa', 'C. dioica', 'C. reflexa'.

Thanks for Smith's letter and the promise of an ongoing correspondence. Will try and send some Indian and Cape [of Good Hope] plants for Smith's herbarium; enclosing a catalogue of his plants for Smith to select from. Many people will be pleased Smith has the Linnaean collections as he is making them available to scientists. New edition of "Systema vegetabilium" has corrected errors in previous edition.

Studying the plants of the Cape [of Good Hope] for publication; his concerns for the work and figures. Intends to send paper "The botanical history of the genus Dillenia" for "Linnean Transactions" once he has an accurate address for Smith. Recently received Jussieu's "Ordines naturales"; thinks the genera extremely complicated; he always strives to keep natural genera together, lists examples.

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.

Thanks for "Linnean Transactions", hopes it will long continue, and plants; will try to sell some items from them though botanists few in number here; passed on enclosures to [Johan] Acrel and [Olof] Swartz. Asks after parcels he sent Smith and [Sir Joseph] Banks in May via English surgeon Griffiths. Few copies of Smith's works can be sold in Sweden but requests some copies.

Compared 'Festuca spaducea', identical to 'Anthoxantum paniculatum', with specimen in Burser's "Herbarium" vol 1 p.46; comment on 'Phalaris oryzoides'; attaches drawing of 'Dianthus virgineus' [Smith annotation: "in Herb."] from "Herbarium" vol 11 p.99.

Intends to send his recently published dissertations, and dried plants. Certain that there are plants in his collections from the Cape [of Good Hope] not in Linnaean herbarium, but until his "Flora capensis" is published difficult establish what Smith may require. Intends to send a paper for "Linnean Transactions" vol 2.

Sending two specimens of 'Trifolium'; plants.

Sending parcel containing plants missing from certain dissertations, including 'Cliffortia', and money from the sale of some publications. This summer worked on classes 8-13 of the Cape [of Good Hope] flora; as some of less familiar may be Linnaean plants, sending specimens of 'Gnidia radiata', 'Passerina ericoides', 'Bergia capensis', and 'Milium capense'; possible that 'P. ericoides' and 'Lachnaea conglomerata' are the same plant; observations.