CD proposes to call for tea if he is well enough on Thursday.
CD proposes to call for tea if he is well enough on Thursday.
Has altered and added to HES’s list [compiled for Bibliographia zoologiæ et geologiæ, edited by Louis Agassiz and enlarged by HES, (1848–54)].
On zoological nomenclature CD cites a case in which he believes more harm than good would be done by following the rule of priority. Thinks the rule of the first describer’s name being attached in perpetuity to a species has been the greatest curse to natural history. Every genus of cirripedes has a half-dozen names and not one careful description.
Sends a paper he once wrote [missing] on the subject [of zoological nomenclature].
Responds to CD’s two objections to the principles involved in the "Rules of zoological nomenclature": (1) that strict enforcement of the rule of priority would cause much inconvenience, and (2) attaching name of the first describer in perpetuity puts a premium on careless description by "species mongers".
Will return books, and asks for more.
Had hoped to sent specimens by carrier that day; intends to sent them next Thursday.
Thanks for German scientific newspaper: two articles interested him.
No summary available.
Elizabeth Baily will be pleased to see him on the day mentioned. Also agrees with him to present the bust of her brother to the R.A.S. JH may have casts of the bust.
Sends a copy of the Astronomical Remembrancer to which he referred. The garnet star is BAC 7582. Encloses a list of variable stars and comments on the proximity of two of them.
As JH is compiling a complete catalogue of variable stars, wonders if he has noticed the one listed in the Berlin maps. Has recently made a cometary summary.
May use his cometary summary by all means; believes that J. G. Galle's is the most complete but his method requires improvement. Thinks he has traced the history of Halley's Comet and will be writing a paper on the subject.
Archbishop of Canterbury is to take his seat at the R.S.L. on Thursday next and is to dine with RI beforehand; will JH join them?
Has mislaid a piece of paper on the Addiscombe examinations that he intended sending to JH. Appear to be some changes in policy. Has taken a house in Grosvenor Place for one or two months. The Commission is not yet out.
M. McCann sent his paper to JH for communication to the R.S.L., which he did, but does not know the outcome of it. Was unable to report on it as his own knowledge was not modern enough.
Thanks for his letter regarding M. McCann. Does he know anything of the capabilities of Parkinson Wilson, Mr. Hobson, and Mr. Sandiman? Had intended to communicate his own researches on platina a long time ago, but was hoping to conclude them first. Thomas Graham will send down the form of certificate for him to sign.
Has never seen the great nebula of Andromeda satisfactorily resolved; comments on this and gives some of his observations. Will be going to Brighton and then take his family to London for Easter.
Encloses note to be directed to JH, pointing out discrepancies in JH's article on sound in first edition of Encyclopaedia Metropolitana.
JH's article on 'Meteorology' [for the Admiralty Manual] is finished; JH will make some comments on aneroid barometers in the preface.
RS, Vice President of R.A.S., writes to JH, President, about a series of Council and membership matters.
JH replies to RS's 1849-1-15.
Says he will guardedly write in his Outlines Astr. what he has to say about Neptune and the controversy surrounding its discovery. States that he eschews formulae.