These are copies in an unknown hand [the name "Meriel Nevill Watt" appears in the front of the volume] of letters, primarily from Ellis, that were published in the "Philosophical Transactions" of the Royal Society in London. Most relate to botanical topics, and many are written to Peter Collinson. A few are written by Peter Woulfe. Included are contemporary engravings from the "Transactions," as well as original wash drawings copied from the engravings.

Letters and papers to or from American scientists or about America, selected from the Linnean Society's collections. Includes letters to William Swainson from John Abbott, John J. Audubon, Constantine S. Rafinesque, Isaac Lea, and John E. LeConte; letters to Sir James Edward Smith from Jacob Bigelow, DeWitt Clinton, J.F. Correia da Serra, David Hosack, Theodore Lyman, William Dandridge Peck, Rafinesque, and Gotthilf H.E. Muhlenberg; letters to William Darlington; letters to Asa Gray; letters of John Bartram; letters of Peter Collinson to J.F. Gronovius; letters and papers of John Ellis, including letters from Alexander Garden, Samuel Martin, and Bernard Romans; letters to Carl Linnaeus from John Bartram, John Clayton, Cadwallader Colden, Correia da Serra, Peter Kalm, Adam Kuhn, James Logan, John Mitchell, and Charles Wrangel.