From:
Henry T. De La Beche
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[13 March 1848]
Source of text:
RS:HS 6.133
Summary:
May alter his own article on mineralogy as he pleases.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
May alter his own article on mineralogy as he pleases.
On the origin of the R.A.S.
Expresses thanks at considerable length for gift of JH's Cape Results.
Acknowledges receipt of JH's Cape Results. Offers map of Massachusetts, constructed from RP's triangulation and astronomical observation. Zeal for astronomy is increasing in America. Reports discoveries by W. C. Bond and total solar eclipse of Nov. 1834.
Asks GB to convey gratitude to JH for AB's receipt of JH's Cape Results.
Returns WB's draft with JH's editorial corrections. Admiralty has no objection to WB publishing it as separate article. JH will write instructions on 'general' meteorological observations to fill gaps left by WB's and Charles Wheatstone's specialized instructions. Devote time to analyzing existing observations, not to making more.
Admiralty Manual must be succinct. WB's specialized notes [on atmospheric waves] are too extensive.
Extent of WH's manuscript for JH's Admiralty Manual is fine. Please send it as soon as possible.
Is prepared to enlarge the Admiralty Manual provided the extra material is of good quality and not too bulky. Will contact John Murray [Jr.] about printing and publishing rights. Will give W. R. Birt every facility for a separate publication.
JDH is on the Ganges en route from Mirzapore to Bhagulpore & Darjeeling . He describes the climate & riverbank vegetation: grass, Dhal, Grain, Cicer arietinum lentil, Carthamus, Vetches, rice, Argemone mexicana, a Mudar possibly Calotropis sp., Ficus, Artocarpus, Leguminosae, Toddy Palm, a Phoenix, also animals. He describes his boat, Hindu crew & travelling set-up including sketch of boat. His servants are Clemanze & a Muslim called Thirkahl. He has a Pummalow [pomelo] in his provisions. At Ghazeepore JDH will meet Trench, see manufacture of rose water, & Bengal Army stud horses. At Dinapore he will see opium works & Dr. Irving. JDH explains the process of collecting & drying plants whilst with Williams, including drying paper used, the weather pattern & why it is the wrong season for collecting. Dryness in India means few Epiphytal Orchideae, ferns & Cryptogammia except Riccia. Other plants collected incl.: Vallisnera; Villarsiae; Potamogetons; one fungi, an Agaric; a Fissidens moss, few lichens & no Hepaticae. He describes an aboriginal bellows made of leaves procured for the Kew Museum, at fairs he buys boxes, beads & medicines. Roberts gave samples of cultivated grains. JDH critiques work done on the Calcutta [Kolkata] Botanic Gardens by William Griffith[WG] & Robert McLelland [McClelland] & outlines changes he advised Hugh Falconer make. He describes gale & dust storm of 18 Mar. Lord Dalhousie made Gurney Assistant Surgeon of the General Hospital. At request of Colville JDH wrote to Lord Auckland. He discusses Auckland's reputation. Describes a gun bought from Brown. Wight has promised to get wood & seeds for Kew. JDH wants permission from the Rajah to enter Sikkim. Discusses going to north of Bhutan to Tibet in the current climate of trade & war with China & the likely flora. The richest botanical areas in India are Sikkim, upper Assam, Sylhet & Mishmee & Cosiah [Khasi] hills. Discusses his Bengal collection. Mentions WG's publications & Harvey's microscope.