Discusses letter to [G. B.] Airy and JH's response to it. Discusses instruments at Toronto Observatory. Describes 18 November 1841 magnetic disturbances. Working on Atlantic declination maps.

H. C. Schumacher wants an application from the R.A.S. RS complied, giving reasons. 'Miss B.' [Elizabeth Baily] reluctant to write even the shortest formal note. Suggests JH announce her gift on taking the chair. Wants to 'jump' at [F. W. A.] Argelander's offer [to complete the British Catalogue]. Progress on his 'apparatus.' Has asked J. C. Adams to give the R.A.S. notice of the controversy about Neptune, in which U. J. J. Leverrier ('a very cantankerous fellow') has engaged. If Adams refuses, would JH respond?

R.A.S. voted to give its medal to William Lassell. Recounts the discussion of this among the members. G. B. Airy will be the next president. Applauds JH for the work he has done in this position. An 'olive branch' tendered to [W. S.] Stratford; he was made vice president.

Would like JH's opinion on a memoir by M. McCann on the reflection of light from binaxal crystals. McCann is a candidate for a mathematical chair in Queen's College [Cork].

Compiles published work, unpublished work, and lectures; asks JH to proof the compilation. Discusses meetings of R.S.L. concerning charter by-laws.

Informs JH of the death of CP's father, James Cowles Prichard.

Has notes on John Flamsteed. Shall he send them? Gives notices of two variable stars.

Further to reception of results from FA [see JH's 1848-12-23].

The Equatorial has arrived safely at the Cape. William Mann has declined the position at Madras and G. R. Smalley offered his services. What does JH think? Encloses letter from Thomas Maclear and one for Lady Herschel.

Recent political events in Germany. Family news. Hopes Lady Herschel's health has improved.

Has at last received his letter and withdrawn the index.

Sending an extract from a letter dealing with magnetic and electrical instruments recently sent to Egypt for purposes of exploration.

Has just heard from Edward Sabine that there is still a vacancy at the Madras Observatory. Would like JH's support if he applies to the East India Company.

Thanks for the letter and his interest in the matter. Has written to W. H. Sykes relative to his astronomical qualifications.

Presenting A. T. D'Abbadie, who has made a voyage to Brazil. Remarks on JH's calorimeter.

Thanks to JH for the copy of JH's Cape Results.

JDH discusses Nepal wheat, wheat grown in Darjeeling, & in the mountains & valleys of Nepal. On tree roots JDH has found a parasitical Orobanche growth identical to one Georgie dug from ivy nut roots. Griffith's Phococordylis was growing on the same roots, for which refer to 'Linn. Trans.' [TRANSACTIONS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY LONDON Aug 1846] or 'Balanoph'. [ON THE INDIAN SPECIES OF BALANOPHORA]. JDH found many Bhotean inscriptions in Sikkim & brought away some of the best, he will teach a servant to take rubbings for his next trip there.

JDH has returned to Darjeeling after a trip to the mountains. The Kazi of Lingcham accompanies JDH & likes the Murwa pot. JDH's route passed the Great Rungeet & a spur of Kinchin [Kanchenjunga]. Met Archibald Campbell [AC] in Teesta valley, the former had a hard journey obstructed by Sikkim officials. JDH was welcomed at villages en route & they gave him more than enough food for his party. AC & the Sikkim Rajah camped on opposite sides of the river. The Rajah's Dewan is a rogue. Describes audience with the Rajah, his manners, appearance & gifts exchanged. The camp was in Bhomsong, a valley with tropical forests incl. palms & Sikkim Pandanus. JDH began the march to the Lachen & Lachoon [Lachung]passes, AC came as far as Pemiongchi monastery then left for the Titalya fair. Ascended forest covered Mainomchoo Mt, crowned with Abies webbiana & a wooden temple. Made sketches & meteorological observations. Collected mosses, Rhododendrons incl. R. falconeri & an alpine bamboo. Describes Lama convent at Tassiding, incl. buildings & decoration by Lhassa artists. There was no sign of Hindu religion. On the road were slabs engraved with Tibetan characters. Also visited, Yuksun [Yuksom] on the Ratong River & Doobdee [Dubdi] convents where Cypress trees used to make wreaths. Describes ascent to & view from Jongri yak port above the snow line at 13000 ft. Notes the geology & glacial features of the range & view of Pundim & Kubroo peaks. Vegetation Herbaceous but incl. Tingurisella Pine. Describes marching through snow & danger of snow blindness. Collected strong-scented dwarf Rhodo. which causes headaches, rock lichen, Andrea, a Splachnum, 46 species of fern chiefly Spheropteris. Visited holy lake & Changachelling convents where his likeness was painted onto the wall. The journey was without mishap, the Bhotheas [Bhotias] & Lepcha people were hospitable. At Darjeeling JDH is staying with Muller, whose brother Charles is at Patna, & arranging his collections & museum specimens.

JDH discusses Bhotea [Bhotia] tribes of the Himalaya who inhabit the Cachan, above the villages of the Limbos & Ghorkas [Gorkhas] in Nepal, & Haioos[?], Murims[?] & Lepchas in Sikkim. He translates some Bhotia words. The Bhotias carry on the salt trade with Tibet. The Bhotias or Bhootan people of Bhotea as opposed to the cis-nivean regions are a different tribe, their own name for Bhootan [Bhutan] is 'Lhop' or 'Country of the Dhurmah Rajah'. Hooker likes the Bhotias but the Bhutan people have a very bad reputation. All the above as well as Tibetans & Chinese in the region & people of Little Bucharia & Soongaria are Buddhists who practice Lamaism. Contains a hand drawn map of the Sikkim-Darjeeling area.

Hand-drawn map showing the areas of Nepal & Sikkim between Darjeeling & the Tibetan border. Map includes features such as the Wallanchoon Pass & Kanglachem Pass, & rivers including the Tambur, Yangma, Teesta, Rungeet & Kulhait. Places shown include Pemiongchi & Lelyp.