A part of 1 leaf is missing. Asks why there is no correspondence since his last letter, and cannot presume that it was offensive. Reports having cited Adanson in his paper “Sur la fécondation des plantes” in Rozier’s Journal de Physique, Nat. Hist. Oct. 1774. Is amazed and awed by Adanson’s plans for his Encyclopédie universelle [AD 8]. Advises him to publish his own discoveries first. Discusses examples of cereal grain longevity, ascribing it to some role of gelée organique (protoplasm). Mentions that Spallanzani’s book on snail reproduction may be delayed. Supposes Tremella to be more zoological than botanical. Signed: “le Palingénésiste.” Annotated with subject headings. Draft of reply (incomplete) dated 20 Juillet 1775 discusses Encyclopédie plans. Cites his belief that the number of species in all nature is 40,000, while others [perhaps inferring Linnaeus] consider it to be 14,684. Reviews seed longevity based on his wheat experiments concluding Bonnet’s findings to be exceptionally high. Reports negative results on repetitions of Spallanzani’s snail experiments, and a loss of confidence in his work in general. New Tremella studies convince him that their movements are not spontaneous.