Clas Alströmer thanks Linnaeus for his letter of 28 July of the previous year [this letter has not come down to us] that reached him on 7 February.
He advises Linnaeus to ask Jonas Theodor Fagraeus about the Panorpa coa that he sent home.
Alströmer, like Linnaeus, has come to think an incorectly named tree is actually a Rhododendron but the Calyx is, if not minimus, then more correctly nullus.
The Decandra viscose described by Alströmer is to him undoubtedly Drosera Lusitanica; his description of mercurialis annua is similar. He has tried in vain to find a specimen of flores unuis sexus.
The apple-sized fruit of Lycopersici, sliced and boiled in a little water, is eaten as sauce to meat, its acidity giving it a pleasant taste in a hot climate. The same fruit, called tomates [tomatoes], is added when sliced to ragoûts and fillings. Poor people eat it raw in an awful cold summer dish called Gaspacho [Gazpacho] that comprises cold water, bread, oil, vinegar, tomates and sometimes fresh Capiscum.
Dioecia schini areiræ has been [established] through Miguel Barnades experience.
Alströmer gives or repeats an account of a specimen of Mus monax: slightly larger than a rabbit; grey or ashy grey in colour but lighter under the jaw; a head like a rat’s; rounded short-haired ears; many long stiff whiskers; of the five digits of its paws, only one on each front paw has no claw; plantigrade in movement; tail (as long as rear paws?) thick at root and tapers, bare above, slightly hairy below; folliculus putorius nullus; front teeth long and thick, others in upper and lower jaws thin and wide; uses its front paws dextrously; in origin American.
He states he will collect Fungus melitensis and Hypocistis and protests that Linnaeus’s decision to use his name, as Alstroemeria, confers too great an honour on him.
He has despatched some seed for Geranii rapacei and will acquire more.
José Carbonell writes often but has not yet acquired flowers of Arboris draconis. Alströmer will not let him forget the books by Linnaeus that he had requested but has not yet received.
He reports that José Ortega’s is dead; that he has had little to do with the miserable José Quer y Martinez; and that Miguel Barnades, doctor to the Duke of Alba, is absent, travelling in that capacity.
He now owns and will send home a couple of of platina.
He sends regards to Linnaeus’s wife [Sara Elisabet Linnaea], and daughters, and greetings to Carl [Carl Linnaeus the Younger] and all friends.