Text Online
From:
Michael Faraday
To:
Henry Ellis
Date:
22 December 1841
Source of text:
BL add MS 48340, f.38
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Faraday Project
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Apologises that JSH has not been able to see fossil spike in London, potentially a large Lycopodium, because it cannot be transported due to fragility. Provides a description and drawing of it.
Discusses fossil trees found in his local area and specimens sent to the Geological Society and Robert Brown, together with a paper Bowman has written on them. States that he has found proof of the solid and subsequently hollowed state of the trees from corresponding bands of soft shale. Provides JSH with a brief description and says full details will be given when whole paper is published. States that they give decisive proof of growth where they were found, that they have overturned the scepticism of geologists including John Phillips and Louis Agassiz, and that a miniature model is being made of them.
Discusses illustrations of the internal structure of Sigillaria by Alexandre Brongniart and his wish to see them when published. Also discusses previous drawings of Sigillaria with leaves by Brongniart and W. Conway. Passes on message from Conway for Fossil Flora to send someone to do drawings of Bristol fossil collection.
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Asks JSH to make contact with Joseph Jukes, ahead of his 1842 expedition to New Guinea, the Torres Straits and Australia, in order to increase his understanding of botany.
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Asks the Physical Committee (Chair, JH) of the R.S.L. to note the concurrent disturbances of magnetometers and the appearance of aurora borealis, and to make a long term study of this relationship.
GG's book [Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in the North-West and Western Australia, 2 vols. (London: Boone, 1841)] is creating a sensation in London. Pleased to learn from it of the range of mountains named after JH. Hopes GG will carry out some study into the Aboriginal dialects. Standards of weight and measure should be sent to all Colonies. Important to have a magnetic survey of all colonized and colonizable parts of Australia.
Points out an error in the instructions for magnetic observers provided for the Antarctic expedition.
Has just received the enclosed communication from Sir Hilgrove Turner, lately Governor of Bermuda. Believes JH is the only person who can deal with it.
All N. L. Lacaille's observations have been reduced and a complete catalogue sent to Francis Baily to be incorporated into the catalogue of the R.A.S. Hopes Baily is recovering his health.
Thanks for mentioning HH's book [Medical Notes and Reflections (1839)] in JH's review of William Whewell in latest issue of Quarterly Review. Sends copy of its second edition.
Invites JH to dinner if possible, or later if not at present possible.