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From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
--
Source of text:
Asa Gray Correspondence 122, Archives of the Gray Herbarium
Summary:

No summary available.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
--
Source of text:
Asa Gray Correspondence 123, Archives of the Gray Herbarium
Summary:

No summary available.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
26 January 1854
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.2-3, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH thanks Asa Gray for his opinion on an unspecified essay by JDH, letter includes discussion of species & specific centres suggesting the subject of the essay is geographical plant distribution, the definition of a species & whether they are created entities or varieties evolve with environmental influences. JDH refers Gray to his comments in the FLORA ANTARCTICA. He argues against Gray & Agassiz's belief in multiple centres. Discusses the relative importance of genetic resemblance as opposed to habitat, referring to the Dorking Fowl, Manx Cats & Falkland Island rabbits. He favours theories based on observable evidence of geography, physiology etc. Dismisses Agassiz's work, incl on glaciers such as Aletsch, as prejudice not based in fact but on a desire for notoriety. JDH & Lyell like Agassiz personally. JDH looks to Americans for future discoveries in science as he considers them more practical. Bentham has decided to give his herbarium to RBG Kew. Thomas Thomson [TT] wants to be botanist on an expedition to North West Australia, if the East India Company will give him leave. Hurt approves of TT, who was imprisoned with his brother during the Afghanistan campaign. William Jackson Hooker has applied to The Duke of Newcastle on TT's behalf. Writes of progress with FLORA INDICA & distribution of plant sets to Gray, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, St Petersburg, Brown at the British Museum, Lowell & Torrey. Asks Gray about North American Larch, Yew, Junipers & Coniferae incl. Scotch Pine. Uses Yews from Pontrilas as an example of the difficulty of using habitat vs character in determining species. The Deodar Avenue at Kew is another example of how plants may not always have the ideal characteristics of their species. Agrees that species cannot be pronounced the same because they are united by certain forms, gives Mt Lebanon & Himalayan Cedars as example of extreme forms. Argues the difficulty is with local botanists wanting to give local varieties a distinct classification.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
24 March 1854
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.4-5, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH thanks Gray for his critique of one of JDH's papers. JDH knows he is a difficult person when it comes to criticism. He mentions the issue of defining species & the significance of genetic resemblance & explains that he & Thomas Thomson have touched on the subject in the introduction to the FLORA INDICA. This long introduction will also include an account of the history of Indian botany, an essay on the climate & geographical account of the provinces. JDH is distributing & naming his Indian plants & laments the lack of standard nomenclature. He is currently working on Antidesmas with reference to Tulasne's paper, which is imperfect because of the shortcomings in the French collections he consulted. He mentions the difficulty in pinning down the characteristics of wild & cultivated Yew. JDH has taken a house on Kew Green for George Bentham, near William Jackson Hooker's herbarium in Hanover House. The herbarium now has a curator. Sometimes JDH thinks of abandoning Kew to write for the press in London, he finds it hard to support his growing family on a government salary whilst living in expensive Kew. JDH's father WJH is trying to secure JDH's continued employment for the Office of Woods & Forests but JDH is not optimistic. JDH stays at Kew to please his father & to have access to his herbarium & library. Nathaniel Wallich is very ill, Brown better at present. The Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] Government have purchased 6 copies of JDH's forthcoming FLORA TASMANIAE & the income is welcome as he made no money from his Antarctic expedition southern floras. JDH describes his recent work on fossil plants, especially Trigonocarpi from coal formations, they resemble Salisburia. JDH outlines his responsibilities regarding scientific societies, he is on the council of the Royal, Linnean & Geographical societies. He has managed to secure a review of the state of the Linnean Society botanical collections. Mentions Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt is dead at Leyden [Leiden].

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
--[1857]
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.10-11, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

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.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
29 March 1857
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.6-9, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH thanks Asa Gray for his note of 10 Mar [1857]. Is impatient for LESSONS, apologises for not reviewing the MANUAL in the JOURNAL OF BOTANY. William Jackson Hooker wants JDH to review [Miles Joseph] Berkeley's INTRODUCTION TO CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY, JDH praises its content but calls it 'appallingly written & arranged', a common failing of parson-authors such as Sedgwick & Buckland, Copewell[?] & Baden-Powell. An abstract of the Linnean Society's ideas on genera will appear in the LITERARY GAZETTE & a summary by Bentham in the Linnean journal. JDH is critical of the way Germans approach a subject, A. Braun's work on genera is an exemplar. JDH dismisses [Berthold Carl] Seemann's 'twaddle' about genera being objective or subjective, gives Rosa & Salix as examples of the former & Unbellifers as the 'confoundedly bad' latter. Discusses [Thomas] Thomson's paper on germination & embryos of Careya & Barringtonia. JDH worries about Gray doing a book on forest trees. Notes [Richard] Spruce is stranded in Tarapoto, in the Andes, en route to Lima. Mentions UK government expedition to the source of the Missouri & the East Rocky Mountains, [Eugène] Bourgeau is the botanist & the commander Mr Palliser. JDH's children & wife [Frances Hooker] are in Brighton. JDH suggests a visit to the UK would stimulate Gray's work on the Flora of North America. [Walter Hood] Fitch has produced plates of British natural orders, designed by [John Stevens] Henslow, for the National Schools under the Board of Trade. In a post script dated 30 Mar JDH gives a detailed opinion of Gray's ELEMENTS. JDH cannot visit Canada & USA until 1858, he has too much work, with the Indian Herbarium & Tasmanian flora for the Van Diemen's Land government, & not enough money. Comments briefly on Gray's notices in SILLIMAN & at length on De Candolle's botanical geography, referring to the work of de Heer, Henfrey, Brown, Forbe's Atlantis theory & Duchastre's encyclopaedia. Recommends that Gray get the GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
12 January 1858
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.12-13, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH characterises himself to Asa Gray as a full throated critic. He often disagrees with his Father [William Jackson Hooker], who can be stuck in old ways of thinking, JDH stops him from publishing outdated views. They clashed over the JOURNAL [OF BOTANY] work, JDH is glad it is discontinued. JDH offers Gray species of Rubiaceae, he might bring them himself if he goes to the USA this year. Has consulted Huxley re. Gray's notes on vitality & offers his comments. Discusses his thoughts on dedoublement, at length, he has discussed the theory with [George] Bentham[GB] & does not consider it logical. Mentions Gray's work on Balanophoreae. Discusses in detail Dicotyledonous exogens & the hierarchy of flowering plants, enumerating the characteristics which should define the highest type. He thinks that the 'vegetable ladder' should be arranged by physiology of the reproductive organs with organic complexity secondary: this would elevate gymnosperms above Phaenogams. [Arthur] Henfrey has found the corpuscula[?] in Gnetum, he suspects the seeds take 7 years to ripen. JDH describes the development of Gnetum ovule during fertilisation. JDH is working on East India Company Assistant Surgeon competitive examination papers & Royal Society Report for [David] Livingstone's expedition. Comments that Gray has correctly described Sambucus fruit. Describes his observations on ovules in different plant genera & families: Viburnum, Caprifol[iaceae]. Conv[olvulaceae]. Aral[iaceae]. Umbelli[ferae]. Rubiaceae, with particular reference to raphe in Lonicerae. He suspects ovule structure will lead to affinities. He discusses his study of Chimonanthus, which he places nearer Monimiaceae & Annonads than Rosaceae, calycifloral characteristics being key. JDH thinks Cumming's Morinda is new. He is sending a fruit of Ceylon [Sri Lanka] Eupyrena. GB recommends his notes on Rubiaceae. Gray could send his notes on Timonius to the Linnean journal, JDH has not received the proof of Gray's Magnolia paper.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
6 January 1859
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.14-15, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH hopes Asa Gray continues his U.S. EXPLORING EXPEDITION publication. JDH is studying the flora of Fiji, Tahiti & the Sandwich Islands [Hawaii] & working on a preliminary essay to FLORA TASMANIAE. He is trying to trace the extent of Australian flora in the Pacific: it goes as far as New Zealand, Norfolk Islands, New Caledonia & the New Hebrides [Vanuatu] but no further, the flora of Fiji is more Indian. Possibly the explanation lies in differing geology. He thinks that an ancient Southern Continent must be the origin of the Australian flora & explanation for there being South African types in South West Australia & Polynesian species on the East coast of the continent. Discusses evidence of type persistence in Australia: Miocene era Banksia ericifolia preserved in lava beds in Victoria, & fossil Casuarina cones from Bass Straits. However, he also has an Araucaria excelsa cone from oolite in England. He concludes that geographical ranges have changed & the old theory of absolute creation is disproved & he will work to more modern hypotheses [Darwin's natural selection] without accepting them as doctrine. It must be accepted that the formation of land & sea has changed as agents of migration such as animals, wind & currents cannot account for current species distribution. He lists his five starting hypotheses to explain distribution of species, including the evolution of new species by selection & effects of land movement. Also, enumerates how this agrees with the expected fact of evolution of species from an aboriginal condition, including the existence of greater numbers of distinct species on remote islands & the great biodiversity of the southern temperate zone considering there is so little land compared to the North. JDH wrote these thoughts at Lord Wrottesley's, he has now returned to Kew & paid Thomson's[?] debt to [William Henry?] Harvey. JDH is shocked by Alphonse de Candolle begging to be made a Foreign Fellow of the Royal Society. [Letter incomplete]

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
26 June 1860
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.16, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH informs Asa Gray that he thinks Picrasma japonica is the same as P. ailanthoides. He is not convinced that Gray's Amaroria is a valid genus, it is close to Soulamea. JDH has seen Monroe. Asks Gray not to send things via bookseller as it is expensive, Trupena's charges are especially high. Mentions Gray's description of Holacantha, & correct use of the term hypogynous. Work on the Arctic flora has led JDH to consider the correct classification of North temperate flora, for example Alsineae; many of which could be referred to Stellarias, Holostea or Gramineae. Speculates that Greenland flora is unique & limited due to glacial factors. JDH can find no specimen of Dupontia cooleyi [at the RBG Kew herbarium]. He asks how Narthecium americanum differs from N. ossifragum. JDH has a newborn son [Brian Harvey Hodgson Hooker]. [George] Bentham is continuing the Hong Kong colonial flora, FLORA HONKONGENSIS, with support from the Treasury. JDH gives his opinion on [Richard] Owen's review of [Charles] Darwin's theory of evolution [ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES BY MEANS OF NATURAL SELECTION]. Mentions reviews of his own essay [on plant distribution in the FLORA ANTARCTICA, supporting Darwin's theory]. Gray owes JDH for Horsfield's plants. JDH bought Booth's Bhutan plants at the [Thomas] Nuttall [estate] sale. [Letter incomplete, it bears no valediction or signature but is written in the hand of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker].

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
28 October 1862
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.17-18, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH hopes to send Asa Gray copies of GENERA PLANTARUM with the autumn box of 'distributa'. JDH discusses Sir John William Dawson's criticisms of one of his essays concerning plant distribution [possibly JDH's introductory essay from FLORA ANTARCTICA], addressing each point in detail. Dawson's objections centre on the flora of Scandinavia & supposed geological inaccuracies, many concerning Greenland. In the past JDH & Sir Charles Bunbury have quashed some of Dawson's palaeobotany papers sent to the Geological Society. JDH is convinced his own conclusions are sound, they have the support of James Hector & Sir Charles Lyell. Dawson is against Darwinism & the theory of evolution by natural selection. JDH notes that there is currently a lot of changes in geological theory & hypotheses in the discipline are difficult to prove, there is an argument about the effectiveness of current species variation & distribution in determining past land formations. JDH believes geological & biological evidence must both be taken into account to form a strong hypothesis. He makes the point that all facts began as theory, just as absolute specific creation is now questioned so may creation by variation be disproved, or it could become established fact. JDH mentions his own work on Welwitschia [mirabilis], specifically characteristics of ovules in male & female flowers, & Gray's work on Cypripedium. Thanks Gray for Asimina & urges him to write a systematic resume of American flora.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
1 February 1865
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.19, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH writes that he has no fruit of Fothergilla & asks Asa Gray whether it's Endocarp separates as coccis. Mentions Parry's seeds. Has been busy with GENERA PLANTARUM, describes the work he has been doing on various orders, genera and tribes for the book incl.: calyciflorous orders, Cucurbitaceae with input from Charles Victor Naudin, Melastomaceae, Abobreae, Elatereae, Loaseae, Passifloreae, Papayaceae, Modecca, Acharia, Begonias, Cartesia[?], Hamamelideae, Saxifrageae, Bruniaceae, Grubbia, Santalaceae & Corneae. [Letter incomplete, it bears no valediction or signature but is written in the hand of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker].

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
29 September 1865
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.20-21, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH tells Asa Gray about the death of his father William Jackson Hooker, at age 80. A few days before his death WJH had given Queen Emma of the Sandwich Islands [Hawaii] a tour of RBG Kew, walked in the gardens with [Thomas] Thomson & [Miles Joseph] Berkeley & went with JDH to see the subtropical plants in Battersea Park. JDH's mother [Lady Maria Hooker] returned from Yarmouth to be by her husband's side. There is an epidemic of throat infections in Kew. JDH himself got sick with Rheumatic fever, possibly as a result of keeping vigil over his father. He went to stay with [Archibald] Campbell in Notting Hill to recuperate. He mentions some of the treatments he had & some lingering symptoms. [William Francis] Cowper [Temple] wrote offering JDH the Directorship of RBG Kew & proposing some changes to the Gardens. JDH wants proper scientific help & another assistant such as [Daniel] Oliver to help handle correspondence & work on Ferns. Discusses what assets his father leaves & the inheritance that his children will get, incl. herbarium & library which are left to JDH with instruction to offer them to the nation at a reasonable rate. JDH has heard that [Charles Robert] Darwin's health is improving under Dr [Henry] Bence Jones. JDH gives a report on the whereabouts of his children: William Henslow Hooker, Charles Paget Hooker, Harriet Anne Hooker, Brian Harvey Hodgson Hooker. Adds that his Mother and his sister Mrs [Elizabeth] Lombe are in Yarmouth & Norfolk respectively & will winter at Torquay. The only mourners at WJH's funeral were JDH's sister Maria [McGilvray], his brother in law Thomas Robert Evans Lombe, his uncle Thomas Brightwen & some old RBG Kew foremen including the old & new John Smiths.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
13 November 1866
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.22, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH writes that he looks forward to Asa Gray's new edition of the MANUAL [OF THE BOTANY OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES]. JDH has found revisions to the New Zealand Manual difficult, especially regarding Cryptogams; amongst which only the algae have been well classified thanks to Harvey. Discusses the delay in publishing the manuscript of GENERA OF CAPE PLANTS. Praises Lefever. Complains that Muller is giving his name to pre-existing species & creating synonyms, apparently on the advice of Alphonse De Candolle [ADC] whom JDH finds arrogant & narrow minded. ADC has been unwilling to accept any of JDH's proposed changes to PRODROMUS SYSTEMATIS NATURALIS REGNI VEGETABILIS. Munro's paper on Bambuseae & Triana's paper on Melastoma will be read at the Linnean Society. Morse & Sons of Boston called at Kew. JDH reads THE NATION. Is glad that the Tories will take up 'the Alabama Case', though JDH is 'a Whig myself' (if anything), he thinks the aristocracy had wiser ideas during the 'American War'. He comments on the relative morals, honour & violent tendencies of the upper, middle & lower classes in Britain, with reference to natural selection. Gives his opinion of Malthus' book on population [AN ESSAY ON THE PRINCIPLE OF POPULATION].

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
19 November 1866
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.23, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH informs Asa Gray that he will be happy to see Mr Dexter or Lawrence regarding the Peabody affair. He has found an earlier indication of Euploca in PEOCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY. Has asked Munroe to reply to Gray directly. Munroe recently read a paper on Bambuseae at the Linnean Society. JDH adds that he is sending Gray a photograph.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
22 March 1867
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.24-25, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH writes to Asa Gray regarding Alphonse De Candolle [ADC] & his endorsement of Muller creating eponymous synonyms every time he adjust the limits of a species [see also JDH146]. Also comments on ADC's responsibility for the PRODROMUS SYSTEMATIS NATURALIS REGNI VEGETABILIS & on his opinion of ADC as a weak, vain man. Discusses his own recently completed work organising the order Cornaceae [for GENERA PLANTARUM] with reference to: a Himalayan Nyassa he found in Sikkim & Khasia, also mentions Benthamia, Garrya, Bursinopetalum, Mastixia, Torricellia, & Leranthaceae being relegated to Santalaceae. Cucurbitaceae are being printed & [George] Bentham is working on Umbelliferae & Araliaceae. JDH has been nominated for the Presidency of the British Association in Norwich, he fears it will interfere with his plans for an American trip. JDH & [Thomas] Thomson are to be jurors at the Paris [International Horticulture] Exhibition. Discusses the link between class & politics in Britain, predicts the future of political influence in the United States of America & points out the lack of representation of the British lower classes & aristocracy alike in the USA press. Notes that people & the press are more apt to complain about small problems, recently it was snow preparedness in London & bad ferry service in New York. Settlement of the 'Herbarium' affair & consequent payment will allow JDH to stay on in his position at Kew. Darwin is working hard at his 'big book' [THE DESCENT OF MAN[?]]. JDH wants to be informed about the progress of a young man who wrote an article on Agassiz.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
30 August 1867
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.27, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH urges Asa Gray to publish his botanical writings as a collection, such a work would help JDH with the preparation of Rubiaceae for GENERA PLANTARUM. He complains that the profusion of botanical literature written in the Unites States of America is left to be catalogued, arranged & distilled by British botanists. JDH's mother [Lady Maria Hooker] is ill in Norwich. No news of [George] Bentham. [Daniel] Oliver has not returned from Skye. JDH has told Milligan to send Gray a set of his Tasmanian specimens.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
12 March 1868
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.26 & 28-30, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH writes to Asa Gray about his taxonomic work on the Rubiaceae family, he mentions the classification of Hedyotis, Gardeniae & Gouldia. JDH regrets the number of specimens, especially African ones, in the herbarium that remain unexamined. He is working on [William Henry] Harvey's book on Cape Genera: he will do the ferns & Lycopods but not the lower Cryptogams, [William] Munro is doing the grasses. Gay's herbarium has arrived. JDH apologises for trouble with a case of [Francis] Boott's Carices [Carex] sent to Gray. Cannot answer [Charles] Wright's letters on Rubiaceae until he has finished his systematic work on the order. Is critical of [August Heinrich Rudolf] Grisebach's work, especially on Melastoma, also mentions Wright's Cuban Melastoma. Suggests the Smithsonian Institute would undertake a particular publication[?] for Gray. Thanks Gray for seeds incl. Picea amabilis & Pera. Discusses the fact that the United States of America & the United Kingdom have different systems of Government. Asks if Gray has read [Charles] Darwin's last book [THE VARIATION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS UNDER DOMESTICATION [?]] & gives his opinion, at length, on the chapters on heredity through Pangenesis - he considers heredity self evident from observation of propagation & inherent in the acceptance of the theory of natural selection. In a post script JDH adds that he has for sale all the sets of Boott's Carices & reduced rate copies of his book [ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE GENUS CAREX]. Proceeds of books sold through JDH will go to Boott's grandmother, who will have the care of his children. Discusses Gray publishing a supplemental part to Boott's book, comprised of additional drawings lithographed by Walter Hood Fitch's nephew, John Fitch, & outlines potential cost.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
25 July 1869
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.31-32, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH & his wife have returned from Scythia via Stockholm, Wiborg [Vyborg], Helsingfors [Helsinki], the Swedish lakes, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Neuenhausen, Utrecht, Leyden, Amsterdam, Hage [Hague] & Rotterdam. He is tired of rail travel & hotels, he would prefer a tent in the jungle or a cabin at sea. JDH regrets that Gray has given up on the FL[ORA]. AM[ERICANA]. BOR[EALIS]. He describes Regel's poor organisation [of the International Botanical Congress] at St Petersburg, including the absence of any Russian botanists except [Alexander Andrejewitsch von] Bunge. A good 'show' was put on & many medals awarded, there was some misreporting of the medals given in the GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. JDH does not like St Petersburg, he prefers Moscow. They stayed with the Andersons in Stockholm, met old Fries, Theodor Fries & [Johnan Erhard] Areschoug in Upsala [Uppsala] & spent a day each with Reichenbach & Booth in Hamburgh [Hamburg]. He admires the antiquities museums of Stockholm & Denmark. They saw Wendland's Palms at Utrecht & stayed with Miguel. JDH returned to a lot of work at RBG Kew, including the matter of opening the gardens in the morning, he thinks it is the right thing to do but will mean reorganisation & a lot of additional work for him as so much of the running of Kew depends on him personally. He is made of strong stuff so can handle the work but he expects [John] Smith, Curator of the Gardens, will be overwhelmed. JDH mentions the state of his personal finances & describes himself as 'living hand to mouth'. Concludes with news that Darwin is in North Wales & very unwell, Bentham & Baker are on holiday, the latter in Geneva, & [Thomas] Thomson is well.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
8 January 1871
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.33-34, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH thanks Asa Gray for sending him some apples. He & Mr Smith compare the variety sent, the 'Northern Spy', to English apples including the 'Ribstone Pippen' & the 'Nonsuch'. Discusses his work on the Rubiaceae family including the genera: Psychotria, Cephaelis, Nonateleiae[?], Rudgea ,Palicourea, Chasalia & Grumilea. Next he will work on Borreroids, including Hedyotoids. George Bentham is working on Compositae, currently struggling with Gnaphalia. JDH's wife, Frances Hooker, has finished translating Decaisne & Maout & Hooker himself did some work on the introduction. [John Gilbert] Baker is working on Monocots. [Thomas] Thomson is neglecting his work on the FLORA INDICA & there are problems with the printing & the length. JDH intends to take over editorship & organize it into a shorter manual with the different orders contributed by expert authors. JDH's mother, Lady Maria Hooker, is ill in Torquay but recovering. JDH thanks Gray for Cytinus, Apodanthes, a paper on Galax & his attention to Rubiaceae. JDH must put off his trip to California, he worries he is getting too old but takes comfort that Sir H. Holland just went over the Blue mountains of Jamaica aged over 80. Murchison has Hemiplegia & has resigned himself to death, his likely successor as President of the Geographical Society is Sir H. Rawlinson. Letter appears incomplete & is unsigned but is written in the hand of Joseph Dalton Hooker.

Contributor:
Hooker Project
From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
15 January 1873
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.36-37, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH writes to Asa Gray about his work on Pinus, including the nomenclature & synonymy of various species, including P. edulis, P. fremontia, P. llaveana, P. cembroides, P. perryana, P. chihuahuana, P. tuberculata, P. insignis & P. torreyaan. He has begun working on Oaks & finds them even more confusing. JDH has received Gray's letter of 4 June & bag of Torreya seeds. Mentions a Wardian Case of Sikkim Rhododendrons, [part of the letter following this mention is missing]. JDH refers to some RBG Kew staff & mentions that he pays his wife £100 per annum for working 4, 4 hour, days a week. JDH has been elected the new President of the Royal Society over Spottiswoode & the Duke of Devonshire. JDH has reservations about Gray's plans to employ a German Professor, he suggests an American or Swiss man would be better. William Thiselton-Dyer would not take the job as Professor, he has been offered lucrative positions abroad before but is determined to stay in Britain. The following day JDH will go to Cheshire to visit Mr Tollemache, who is an intimate friend of William Gladstone & previously brought Gladstone to visit RBG Kew.

Contributor:
Hooker Project