Invites the Owens to stay at Down, joining Falconer and a few others.
No summary available.
Announces election of Marquis of Breadalbane [John Campbell] as lord rector of Marischal College for coming year. Thanks for JH's advice to college senate.
Describes his view of the Great Comet of 1843.
Has sent note to the Times about the comet.
Regrets not having a duplicate of one of his books to give away. "You will before long no doubt be able to borrow a copy."
No summary available.
Further regarding the method to be adopted for the printing of the star catalogue.
No summary available.
Is grateful for his note and the book; has been ill, which accounts for the delay in his acknowledgement. The verses appear to give a good idea of the original.
No summary available.
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.
Wishes CH a happy 93rd birthday. Occupied with remodelling the Southern Constellations, which 'are all in confusion;' admits that not everyone will be satisfied with his constellation reforms.
Sends JH observations of Comet of 1843; disappointed with Cape Observatory's records of the comet. Oversees Observatory in absence of Thomas Maclear, who is at Zwartland for meridian survey. Lists and describes instruments in use at Cape Observatory. Discusses sources of error.
A new committee on standards is to be created to oversee the preparation and measuring of appropriate standard measures; seeks JH's opinion about asking Francis Baily and W. H. Miller to do the accurate weighing and measuring.
Requests on behalf of Richard Taylor, editor of Philosophical Magazine, use of plate from R.S.P.T.
Would be pleased if Francis Baily and W. H. Miller would agree to serve [see GA's 1843-3-9]; believes sufficient remuneration should be provided for these responsibilities, and comments on the desirability of a continuing standards committee.
No summary available.
Has forwarded a parcel to JH, but wonders if he has received it as he has had no reply.
No summary available.