JDH writes to his father, William Jackson Hooker, whose last letter told of the death of JDH's brother William Dawson Hooker. JDH's messmate Yule is also bereaved, he describes a walk the two took amongst Eucalyptus trees. It is winter in Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] but JDH has collected a Splachnum & Mniarum forsteri. Describes his collecting habits on Kerguelen Island, where his focus was Cryptogams & seaweeds. JDH's collections now total 700 plants incl. 350 from Cape [of Good Hope]. Describes his & [Ronald] Gunn's time together in Tasmania & the climate & recent weather. Has ascended Mt Wellington & collected some new species. Plans excursions to New Norfolk, the lakes & Port Arthur with the Governor Sir John Franklin. Went to Richmond via Grasstree Hill & met [Thomas] Gregson & Major De Gillon. Declined a trip to Launceston & Oyster Bay proposed by Lady [Jane] Franklin, Kaye[?] went instead. Cryptogammia JDH has collected in Tasmania incl: Hookeria pennata, many lichens & Andraea. Has some seed vessels of Legumes for Bentham. Mentions Bentham's citation for Erica McKayi in De Candolle [PRODROMUS], Thomas Thomson collecting in Aden, Wallich's son at Hull, meeting Mr Gouldie & Dr Coverdale. JDH wants to look at mosses with local microscopist Valentine, makes some observations on calyptrae & setae in mosses, especially Orthotriceae. Discusses' Gunn's new Dawsonia, lack of payment to Gunn from [John Edward] Gray for animals & value of Gunn's correspondence & collections to contribute to ICONES [PLANTARUM]. Comments on WJH's publications incl. the new JOURNAL OF BOTANY. Lady Franklin has set up a Natural History Society & is planning a botanic garden at Kangaroo Bottom, Mt Wellington, JDH describes the site & wild vegetation. Notes the orchids he has found incl. Corysanthes fimbriata & the touch sensitive Pterostylides labellum. The Phanerogams JDH & Captain Ross collected in Kerguelen Island were mostly ruined in a gale, some incl. the cabbage are recovering.

JDH writes to give his father, William Jackson Hooker, an account of Kerguelen Island. First comments on places they passed on the voyage there. Agulhas bank; rich with marine animals, Macrocystis pyrifera & seas birds incl. Albatross & Cape Pigeon which provided fresh meat. Marion Island; noted for volcanic mountains, penguin colonies, white coral & diverse marine life. The Crozets; found far East of the mapped position. Possession Island; barren of all but grass & moss. May 6th reached Bligh's Cap. After days of delay due to bad weather landed at Christmas Harbour, Kerguelen Island, on 12th. Describes the harbour, terraced mountains, rocky landscape & persistently violent seas, with reference to account by Captain Cook. Describes the Kerguelen Island vegetation. First plants encountered are seaweed & lichens on the rocks, then a long grass Agrostis species, a Ranunculus & a Compositae abundant in bogs & covered with Callitriche & Portulaceaous plants. Gives detailed description of the Kerguelen cabbage incl. its taste & medicinal properties i.e. preventing scurvy & heart burn. Also describes an unmbelliferous plant that can cover many acres & is the only plant that does not seem to be endemic to Kerguelen. Also notes: Acaena, a Silene of elusive classification, a Poa grass, a marsh Aira & a Juncus that grows near lakes. Describes the characteristics & habitat of a plant that flowers under the frozen lakes, it may be of a new natural order though it has some features of Scrophulariaceae, Lentibulariaceae & Primulaceae. Makes some observations on the winter climate. Notes that there is 1 aquatic plant & 1 dry land plant, most vegetation grows in between in moist peaty areas. The mosses & Jungermannia were alpine & arctic forms. Describes the proliferation of lichens in different areas, though there are no large trees so no parasitical lichens. Describes prolific seaweeds esp. pyrifera & Laminaria radiata which protect limpet colonies. The only fungi is a Peziza.

JDH thanks his father, William Jackson Hooker, for the constructive criticism of his collections, the first he has made in a new country. The collections JDH is leaving for [Ronald Campbell] Gunn to send home are better. Since arriving in Hobart Town [Tasmania, Australia] JDH has only worked on botany, collecting the spring plants in locales advised by Gunn & shunning society with the exception of attending Government house when necessary & a ball given for the ships' officers. Explains why it is impossible for him to collect in the Western tier during the current season. Notes that flora in the centre of the island is less advanced; Acacia mollissima only just in bud in the interior. Describes a collecting excursion to Lake Echo, en route JDH stayed in a stock keeper's hut in Marlborough. Describes the interior of Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] as a table land of marshes covered in dead Eucalyptus timber - all the trees were killed in the 1837 frost along with the undergrowth of Leptosperma, Bedfordia & Fagus cunninghamii. All nature suffered that year, hundreds of kangaroos died. The forest only survives on the highest hills, where JDH gathered the 'Cyder tree' Eucalyptus, but it was the wrong season to tap for its fluid. On return trip JDH travelled via Hamilton & the estate of the clergyman Mr Naylor at Cheny[?] on the River Derwent. By the river are: Phebalium retusum, Pleurandras, Eurybius & many flowering shrubs. The cataracts [gorge] is densely wooded & full of bush kangaroo & plants new to JDH: a beautiful Gleichenia, Sprengelia, some Eucalypti & Acacia. Briefly discusses novel species he has found amongst the gum trees & the Crucifera & Cryptandra of Van Diemen's Land. Mentions a feature of the labella of Pterostlides [Pterostyllis] orchids. Is still working on his sketches of Kerguelen's Land plants.

JDH informs his father, William Jackson Hooker, that the expedition is leaving Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania]. Discusses his collections going to Brown. JDH has more specimens from Kerguelen Island & Tasmania, some will go to WJH privately through [Ronald] Gunn, with whom he has shared collections. JDH hopes that Thomas Spring Rice, Baron Monteagle, gets WJH the Directorship of RBG Kew. Thanks WJH for sending news of his friends & discusses Fitch, Gardner, Harvey & Arnott. Mentions mosquitoes. Cummings made better St Helena collections than JDH. Discusses his family's health. Has written to Brown, who once lived at Risdon, where JDH found new Eucalyptus, Cryptandra & Cruciferous plants. Wants WJH to ask Brown about the Xanthorrhoea covered 'grass tree hill'. Describes Thomas Gregson & his son John Gregson. Discusses Sir John & Lady Franklin whom he accompanied to Port Arthur, where he collected specimens incl. Anopterus glandulosus on a Sunday. Captain Ross strictly enforces the Sabbath. JDH shares specimens with Captain Crozier & Miss Cracroft. JDH has also collected fossil woods & made sketches. Discusses his botanical books. Describes Jorgen Jorgensen's state as a drunkard. Discusses Lady Franklin's terms for employing a gardener. The expedition will now go to Campbell's Island, where JDH hopes to collect seaweed, then south to follow the coast of Antarctica. Whilst at sea JDH will draw specimens preserved in spirit. JDH thinks he has got better at collecting, though it has been a bad season for plants in Tasmania. Recounts Captain Biscoe's account of Campbell Island. Describes the difficulty of transporting plants in Wardian Cases incl. the Kerguelen Cabbage which Captain Forman of the 51st Regiment at Hobarton is also growing from seed. Fruits & livestock will be taken to Campbell's Island. Mentions the attribution of Wardia. JDH hopes Thomas Thomson will collect in China or Persia. Discusses his finances & recommends investing money in Tasmania.

No summary available.

JDH informs his father, William Jackson Hooker, that [Ronald Campbell] Gunn has left Hobart [Tasmania, Australia]. It is winter & the only plants are Cryptogamia, the summer was hot; shrivelling vegetation & causing fires that burnt the woods, seeds have been dispersed & some plants are flowering for a second time e.g. Epacris impressa & some Acacia. Recounts a trip up D'Entrecasteaux Channell on the River Derwent to the Huon River with Captain Briggs, to see Huon Pines. The D'Entrecasteaux Channell reminded JDH of the Kyles of Bute, but surrounded by gum trees, Asters & Leucopogon richei & long cutting grass. The plants on the Huon are more alpine with tropical vegetation in deep gullies. He describes some of the ferns, which incl: Allantodia australis, Polypodium vespertilionis, Pittosporum bicolor, Anopterus glandulosus & Sassafras. Also describes some beautiful, very large tree ferns giving dimensions & describing the character of their growth in the valleys. Tree ferns are covered with Psilotum triquetrum, Asplenium laxum, Polypodium grammitidis & Grammitis australis. Mosses in the valleys abound: Hookeria pennata, H. quadrifaria, Hypnum cochleariformis & a new Anomodon. Mentions an island in the mouth of the Huon made completely of fossil shells in sandstone, & on which some Asplenium species grow. Letter also includes a coloured illustration of a new species of Hookeria. The Hookeria was found growing on Dicksonia arborea on the Banks of the Huon River opposite Port Cygnet.

No summary available.

JDH congratulates his father, William Jackson Hooker, on his appointment as Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He heard the news from Clowes & it was in the March papers. Has also heard that his sister, Mary Harriet, is still very ill. He speculates about the salary & housing arrangements for WJH & family at Kew & what will happen to [William Townsend] Aiton. Arnott & [Walter Hood] Fitch will assist WJH in the move from Glasgow. In consideration of WJH's new position JDH has asked [Ronald Campbell] Gunn to cultivate Tasmanian plants that could be sent to Kew. Gunn used to a have an amazing garden in Launceston. Mr Levy[?] has also offered to send Kew things from Port Jackson & new parts of the colony e.g. Moreton Bay, McQuarrie [Macquarie] harbour & the McLeay [Macleay] river, incl. live specimens of the moss; Dawsonia. Mr Bidwell, a merchant who has recently returned from a tour of the North Island of New Zealand, including ascent of the volcano Tongadido, has sent specimens from the expedition to Lindley & others. His specimens of Dawsonia compared to Gunn's & a figure in the MUSCI EXOTICA have made JDH wonder if there are 3 different species or not. JDH has met Captain King, who gave him a letter of introduction to [William] Colenso & told him all about [Allan] Cunningham's death. Clowes' health has improved & he plans to settle at Hunter River, he has been looked after by the McLeays. William Sharpe is engaged in horticulture & has laid out a garden of 25 acres full of Australian & East & West Indian plants growing alongside European species such as snowdrops & Jonquils. Fruits grow very well in Sydney, except for Gooseberries & Currants, as do palms, conifers & tropical Orchids. The 'Erebus' is leaving for Bay of Islands, from where JDH will write again. He does not expect to receive more mail until they reach the Falkland Islands in 8 months. He has a cabin filled with bottles & buckets of animals to work on.

JDH replies to letters from his father, William Jackson Hooker. JDH arrived at the Bay of Islands, [New Zealand] 18 Aug. At Port Jackson got 200 species incl. new Sclotheimia. Area is well known but JDH has found ferns & mosses new to Cunningham's flora. Collected animals from 400 fathoms, but no marine vegetation. In flower are: Vitex littoralis, Fuchsia excorticans & orchids incl. Pterostylis Banksii. Found a few lichens, fungi & seaweed. Met missionary, Colenso, through Captain King, they will collect Crytogammia. Describes landscape. Habitat wrong for Andraea, has found Trichostomum peridiatale, Neckera setosa & a Fissidens, looks for Dawsonia & Polytichium dendroides. Colenso will send live specimens incl. Hookeriae rotulata, pennata, quadrifaria & Leptostonum macrocarpona. Thanks Robb & Mitchell for letters. Hopes Thomson succeeds at the Calcutta Museum. Has few opportunities to botanize, is studying crustacea as a temp. alternative. Captain Ross has an excellent collection of marine zoology. Hopes that the findings of the expedition will be of scientific value & public interest. Next they go to Chatham Island, Falklands & the Cape. Hopes his sisters are well. Has concerns re. his Van Diemen's Land flora. Discusses spelling of VDL & name change to Tasmania. Points out errors in ICONES [PLANTARUM] re. Ranunc[ulus] pimpinellifolius & others. Mentions JOURNAL [OF BOTANY], Gardner's return, future plans, Arnott, completion of the Arctic Botany & 'Beechey's'. Compares Fitch's work in the GERENA FILICUM to Bauer's. Wants news from Athenaeum, Glasgow Association, Link & Klotzsch. Mentions Lindley's activities, Bentham's collections & Bagan at [Glasgow] University. JDH is sending a map & drawing in confidence. He stores collections in rum & tobacco casks. Has 20 bird skins, shells & insects for Maria. Describes a ball on the ships Erebus & Terror on Derwent [River], attended by John Franklin. Notes the Antarctica expedition has received less fanfare than Arctic ones.

JDH informs his father, William Jackson Hooker, that since last writing to the family through Captain [Francis] Beaufort he has been busy collecting in the Bay of Islands. His collection is rich in mosses & phaenogams, including some not in [Allan] Cunningham's flora. JDH has been on excursions with [William] Colenso, who is otherwise busy with printing & other missionary business. JDH has a mixed opinion of missionaries but likes Colenso. Colenso has given JDH some curiosities of New Zealand, incl. minerals & a paper nautilus. The HMS 'Erebus' will travel straight to the ice without stopping at Chatham Island. The last letters JDH received from England were on 1 Feb. JDH's letter will go via Sydney on the HMS 'Favourite' & he hopes for return letters when he is in the Falkland Islands. [Joseph] Dayman wrote to JDH from Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] with news that the latest communication with [Joseph Henry] Kay' contained no news of the Hooker family. Lady [Jane] Franklin has written to inform Captain [James Clark] Ross that part of his journal & one of JDH's collections of plants were lost en route from Hobartown [Hobart], he hopes it is not the collection including illustrated notes from the Auckland or Cape [Verde] Islands, he suspects it is the Kerguelen Island plants & luckily he has duplicates of most, unlike Sir Stamford Raffles, [Robert] Brown or WJH who did not. JDH wonders how WJH's situation has changed since being appointed as Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew & what has become of his friend [G. A. Arnott Walker-] Arnott. JDH finds botanizing in New Zealand lonely & hopes his work is worth it. Mentions some distinctive species of New Zealand moss: a Polytrichum, a Hookeria that resembles H. cristata, a Phascum, a Splachnum, a Trematodon & a foliaceous species with similarities to Jungermannia.

JDH recounts his excursion to Tonglo Mountain, the plants observed & the collections made. Explains that cold, wet weather made many of his servants sick & unable to work. The most hard working were his Christian servant Clemanze & the Lepchas. Describes habits of Lepchas. Tonglo is 1000ft higher than JDH has been before, this was reflected in vegetation: Iris, Unciniae, 2 Arums, 2 dwarf Panax, Anagallis, Rannunculus, Aconite, Rhubarb, Thalictrum, Convallaria, above them the dwarf Bamboo forming a little jungle, Rosa, Lonicera, Holboellea, Vacciniae, Arbutus, Currant, Rubus, Daphne & Balanophora. Describes 3 new Rhododendrons & promises drawings & plants sent via Calcutta [Kolkata]. He is very keen to get them to Kew. Also collected: a Yew, scarlet Crategus, Rosa, Pyrus, Prunus, Pyrus, 3 Berberis, Wallich's Kadsura grandiflora & an epiphytic orchid. Describes new purple Magnolia. There was no grass & few ferns, lichens & mosses: Cryptogams poor in general. Got no seeds but will return. Has temperature readings for Lindley. Describes sojourn in Lama village, he stayed in the temple & observed the priests' rituals, then ate fermented barley from a woven bamboo bowl. Mentions types of bamboo grown & many useful items made from it, which he is getting for the Kew museum. Also has samples of cloth dyed with Mungeet, indigo & Elaeocarpus. Collectors have returned from Nepal, beyond the snows, where the flora is very different despite the proximity. Most of their collection is rotten, a Frittilaria & a Primrose may survive. JDH will send more collectors, relationships with China & border powers mean he may not be able to go himself despite the efforts of his political friends: Colville, Dalhousie, Elliott & Falconer. Has Carices for Boott & fungi to draw for Berkeley. Mentions: progress on the NIGER FLORA, Rose of Jericho, news of Tussack grass, observations for Humboldt, constant rain, general features of Himalayan botany & adds the letter shld be sent to Darwin at Down.

JDH last wrote to his father, William Jackson Hooker, by the HMS 'Favourite' via Sydney & got replies addressed from the Athenaeum. Mentions his sister, Mary Harriet Hooker's, health. Congratulates WJH on becoming Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Dr Sinclair arrived en route to Auckland & Port Nicholson with news from home & will collect plants for WJH. JDH has sent Bay Island plants on the ship 'Jupiter'. The New Zealand specimens are still drying & notes being written up. At Bay of Islands JDH has got insects & shells for Captain Ross & minerals & bird skins for WJH incl. 'Tui' or parson birds & Columba spadicca[?]. Has found 70-80 mosses, Cunningham's Gastrodia, a new plant resembling Milligania & Gunnera, a complete set of seaweeds, & monocotyledons not mentioned by Cunningham. Describes a new sp. of Holoragaceae & a distinct Limosella. Praises Colenso, his work with the indigenous people & his botanical collecting in Paihia, the East Cape & Thames district. Mentions 2 plants collected by Colenso; a Pisonia & a Coprosma. JDH is sending a Wardian case of plants & ferns to WJH on the 'Exporter' via Mr Mcleay. He lists its contents, which incl: Corokia buddleioides, Haxtonia furfuracea, Pterostylis Banksii & Hymenophyllum sp, & describes how he packed the plants. Received letters from James Mitchell. Lady Franklin told Captain Ross that some Kerguelen Island plants sent from Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] were lost at sea. JDH has written to: his sister Maria Hooker, Mitchell, Dr Robb, Mrs Richardson, Mr Children & Mr Ward. Expedition goes next to Chatham Islands, 'the Barrier', Deception Island, the Falkland Islands & home via the Cape. JDH is writing a Flora of New Zealand & studying German. Asks WJH to send a barometer for Gunn & a Hygrometer for him. Dayman wrote to thank Aunt Ellen & communicate that the Governor [John Franklin?] takes an interest in the Antarctica expedition. JDH sends WJH a fungus growing on a caterpillar from Rev Taylor of Waimate.

JDH last wrote to his father, William Jackson Hooker, from Bay of Islands. Expedition omitted Chatham Islands & has been in open sea for 135 days but now nears Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands. Before reaching an ice barrier they went to a record latitude south. Discusses Sargasso weed, seaweed propagating in open sea, e.g. Macrostaysis pyrifera, & implications for plant distribution. JDH will write to Ward re. New Zealand moss. Heard from Sinclair about WJH's move to Brick Farm House, that RBG Kew is to be a public park & that Balfour got the [botany] chair at Glasgow University not Arnott. Recalls that the Hookers were shunned by most Glasgow academics but he has fond wishes for some of their true Glasgow friends. Is glad James Mitchell is working for Lord Eastnor. Discusses publication of ICONES [PLANTARUM], Gardner's return to England, MONOGRAPH OF SOUTHERN FRAGI & a new sp. found by Bidwell. Describes distribution of Ballia brunoni in Kerguelen's Land & Auckland Islands. Discusses mosses of Campbell Island: new Sclotheimias, Holomitrion perichaetiale, & an Andreaea whose unusual structure he describes. Mentions a NZ Polytricha like Dawsonia, Sprengel's Maschalocarpus ciliatus, a new Hookeria from Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] & endemic H. cristata. Pities Swainson going to NZ, explains the shortcomings of the colony & notes some disreputable emigrants: Baron Thierry, Mr Macdonnell & Mr Polack but praises the missionaries esp. Colenso. Letter continues dated 8 Apr [1842] with a description of East Falkland incl. birds: Cormorant, Cape Pigeon, Albatross & Cook's blue nosed petrel. Describes procuring skins of birds, but says he never lets ornithology overtake botany. Has some NZ shells for his sister, Maria Hooker. Hopes to go to Rio de Janeiro & collect Cryptogamia for Harvey. Reports landing at Port Louis, a mining town in a desolate landscape where the purser met with Governor Moody. Expects to be home 1843 after crossing D'Urville's Barrier in Weddell's track.

JDH writes to his father, William Jackson Hooker, to inform him of the expedition's movements & his own activities. He has previously sent WJH some drawings & a map showing the position of Mount Erebus. They did not stop at the Chathams so JDH could not send the live New Zealand tree ferns & pines, it being too costly for Captain Ross to pay freight via Sydney. JDH has collected many new moss & lichen species, but not many new plants. He has made extensive notes & drawings of the New Zealand flora & landscape. Mentions that the New Zealand Fagus is the same Birch found in the Straits of Magellan according to Vancouver's VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY TO THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN. Mentions a mistake in his notes re. the number of anthers in Oreobolus. In New Zealand JDH became good friends with Dr Sinclair via whom he sends a parasitic caterpillar fungus from Rev Taylor of Waimate. It was found near Yass on the Murrumbidgee River in New Holland [Australia] by John Allan who has also provided information, which JDH transcribes. JDH also recounts what he found out about the habits of Spheria robertsii, another fungus that uses Caterpillars as a host. The letter continues under date May 3 [1842] JDH having returned from a hunt. JDH is sending letters on the ship 'Arrow' via Rio de Janeiro to his family, Bentham, Dalton & the Bootts. He also intends to write to Ward & Brown. In the Falkland Islands he has collected: Balka Brunonii, new Cardamine, some Grasses, a Halorageous Kerguelen's Land plant, a Ranunculus. Andreae are common & other Mosses are in fruit. Discusses investigation of Tussac Grass [Poa flabellata], a remarkable species of Carex Governor Moody wants information about. A Mr Wright has been botanising in the Falklands & Wilmot has been relieved at the Cape. JDH sends best wishes to Captain Beaufort & the Sabines. The expedition is in need of supplies, JDH needs spectacles & packing paper & wants to hear about RBG Kew & [George] Gardner. Sends regards from McCormick.

JDH writes this letter to his father, William Jackson Hooker, to accompany some articles ordered by JDH, Mr Gull & Lieutenant Smith. Captain Holt of the brig 'Champion' was to get the items at Valparaiso & deliver them to JDH et al back at the Falkland Islands. In the event that is not possible JDH has asked that they be forwarded to WJH with the bill.

JDH writes to his father, WJH, re. Falklands plants. Lichens are abundant, algae huge, mosses only now fruiting. He has found the same species as Gaudichaud & D'Urville & kept notes on distribution. Discusses mosses on East Falkland, incl: Andreaea, Sphangnum & Trichostoma. 30 lichens found incl Usnea melaxantha which he compares to a Kerguelen sp.. Collected 50 sp. of seaweed incl Macrocystis & Laminariae. Disagrees with Harvey re. Sphacelaria callitricha. Confervoid plants cover the bays. Fungi are scarce but Lyall will send some in spring, incl. large Agarici. Lists ferns collected, incl. a tiny new Aspidium. Asks that a contribution be made to William Burnett on his behalf. The expedition will soon leave for Cape Horn & St Martin's Cove or other port in Tierra del Fuego, allowing JDH to complete his flora of the Antarctic regions. Discusses Fagus sp. found there by Foster & Mirbel. Mentions 3 plants from sub-Antarctic islands which represent new natural orders. Mentions Niger Expedition. Discusses books on cryptogamic plants. Wants Gardner to help arrange his mosses. McLeary will collect moss for JDH in New Holland [Australia]. Discusses Quinary & circular classifications for cryptogamic plants. Mentions the sale of Bauer's drawings & Fitch illustrating GENERA FILICUM. Fielding of Staddagy Lodge has left his collection to the Botanical Society London. Describes walking from Berkeley Sound to Uranie Bay. Plants seen incl Macrocystis & Sticta. Birds observed: steamer ducks sandpiper, kelp goose, Carcara Hawk, gulls, Teal, oyster catcher & Chionis. Describes the quartz hills & the lichens that grow on them, Uranie Bay, a seaweed possibly D'urvillea, the sand hills & the sp. that grow there. Describes a Usnea. Berkeley is wrong about Darwin finding fungi on timber in the Falklands. JDH is sending a parcel to WJH, as well as plants it incls a sketch by Davis, veneer from HMS 'Terror's' rudder, kaurigum, & Tussac grass seeds to share with Edmonstone in the Shetlands.

No summary available.

No summary available.

JDH writes that he is sending this note to his father, William Jackson Hooker, with 'Erebus' Seaman Richard Baxter, who has been invalided home. He asks WJH to assist Baxter if he asks. Baxter has been particularly kind to JDH, helping him when he was wet or cold. Baxter has not been in the Navy long enough to claim any benefits. He is not a drunk, his disease is 'organic'. JDH describes Baxter's physical appearance to WJH in a postscript.

JDH writes to his Father from HMS 'Erebus'. He reports that the expedition reached 71 degrees South on Mar 5, further south than anyone except Weddell. JDH recounts the details of the cruise, recording the latititude & conditions on dates from 17 Dec [1842] to 29 Mar [1843]. The expedition sailed via Berkeley Sound, Cape Pembroke, Clarence Island & South Shetlands. Throughout the letter JDH describes sailing in pack ice, bergs & floes. Saw: white Chionis, Petrels, Finner whales, Macrocystis seaweed, confervoid remains, seals & penguins. Encountered land previously charted under different names by D'Urville & Weddel: Terre Louis Philippe, Terre Joinville & Hope Island near Point Francaise. JDH describes & illustrates a new Sargassum collected by HMS 'Terror'. Describes the appearacnce & geology of land & islands seen, especially one unamed 'conical' island where JDH collected specimens of the most southerly plants incl Ulva crispa & Desmarestia aculeata; the only Antarctic & Arctic plants, & an algae he will name after his godfather Dalton. Received gifts from Her Majesty Queen Victoria. On 5 Feb sailed further South than D'Urville, their course was similar to Bellinghausen's. He describes the extreme boredom, discomfort, anxiety & danger of Antarctic exploration. Only Captain Ross JDH & possibly McCormick care about the science of the expedition, for the men there is no entertainment. Continues to recount their travels south through Mar until they could go no further. Re-crossed the Anatarctic circle 11 Mar heading for Cape Circumcision, Bouvet Island but could not find it. Describes a Lamaria, possibly D'urvillea utilis, collected Latitude 43, & compares it with other algae: Himanthalia & Ecklonia. At the Cape they will anchor at Simon's Bay. JDH will collect Cryptogamia & phenogamiae there & visit Mr Jardine & Baron Ludwig in Cape Town. JDH discusses preapring his Campbell Island mosses for publication. Mentions classification of Southern Gymostoma. Discusses Endlicher & Leary's clasfication of Musci & refers to Fries, Brown & Berkeley. Discusses his work on lichens, Flora of Falklands & geographical distribution of Antarctic plants. Mentions the lack of young British botanists. Commments on Smith & WJH's work on ferns. JDH believes a Stegamia from Kerguelen Islands to be the most Antarctic fern. Discusses his hopes for Captain Vidal & Watson's work on plant distribution. JDH thinks the difference in Falkland & Fuegian flora can be explained by his climatic observations. Mentions Prince Albert's interest in the expedition. JDH has collected some rocks from icebergs for Lyell. En route to Rio [de Janeiro] he will return to the study of marine animals. Working with a microscope & the harsh conditions in the ice have taxed JDH's eyes. The men of the 'Terror' have bred a cat for JDH's sister Bessy. Mentions his dog Skye at home. JDH discusses his finances, WJH's new journal & plans for RBG Kew as a public institution vs private royal garden.