No summary available.
No summary available.
About the state of GP's health, and plans for a vacation
Sends information concerning India in response to letter of JH's son. [Sir Charles Edward] Trevelyan has printed such information occasionally. Many do not see the importance of India.
Returns polar maps. Advises on methods of map projection, favoring polar projection. Working on new maps.
Discusses his itinerary for the British Isles. Gives address where he may be reached. Wishes to visit JH at Collingwood. Congratulates JH on his improved health.
Thanks JF for his dissertation on the Progress of Mathematical and Physical Science. Discusses health of JF and JH. Suggests that some actinometric measurements are not as seriously flawed as at first thought [see JH's 1847-3-1].
Interprets [John] Dalton's theory of the nonelasticity of gas particles, expressing its limitations, particularly in regard to a Mr. Paton's paper.
Agrees to support C. P. Smyth for membership in R.S.L. Objects to C. P. Smyth's statement regarding his discoveries observing at high altitudes. Stresses importance of variable star work.
Asks JH to recommend C. P. Smyth for R.S.L. fellowship. Will avoid R.S.L. meetings due to declining health. Considers a second edition of Cycle of Celestial Objects.
Sends a copy of his Astronomical Investigations. Claims there is an 'inequality in the motions of Mars and the Earth.'
J. C. Symons is spreading locally false theories about the rotation of the moon. Would like JH's views on this.
Regrets that he thinks the faith of the public in astronomy should be shaken by the errors of J. C. Symons. Gives the theory of the rotation of the moon.
Thanks for the magic square, which he is now returning. Seems no end to the possibilities of such squares.
Forwarding a copy of a letter written by GD's father in which he quotes from JH's writings. Is grateful for the tribute he paid to his father at the B.A.A.S. meeting.
Discusses an edition of Antoine Lavoisier's works [3 vols., 1862-65] edited by JD. Comments on the edition and on the arrangements for JH receiving it.
All is well. Hope JH hears 'good accounts from India.'
JDH thanks Asa Gray for his letter & review of [Rev. Miles Joseph] Berkeley. Berkeley will not like Gray's review or JDH's in JOURNAL OF BOTANY. JDH comments on Gray's criticism of his ideas on physiology, comparing them to a firework, and to his own less ordered style of critique. Declares that he will not take account of a 'vital force' until anyone else does. Compares American & British terminology i.e. in the United States physiology is synonymous with biology. Discusses nomenclature & the use of the English 'anth' in names such as Ranunculanths, compared to using the suffixes: 'ads' or 'worts' in place of aceae. This was started by [John Stevens] Henslow & despite misgivings JDH has advised [George] Bentham to retain them as they are now effectively sanctioned by the government; being used in the National Schools. He asks Gray not to deter Bentham from using the system as it is the current vogue & it is hard enough to get government to publish such books for the amateur, & this class of people cares a great deal about terminology. JDH thinks [John] Lindley is correct to refer Podostemons to near Lentibulariaceae though he previously thought their place was with Scrophulariaceae.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.