From:
John Tyndall
To:
James Croll
Date:
Undated
Source of text:
p. 104, Autobiographical Sketch of James Croll
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Tyndall Project
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In response to comments in a paper by JC, JH writes to establish his priority with respect to the significance of the revolution of the apsides of the earth's orbit and the eccentricity of the earth's orbit in affecting temperatures on the earth. JH had spelled this out in an 1830 paper for the Transactions of the Geological Society, and repeated it in his Outlines Astr.
Thanks for his letter and comments. Is always pleased to have any omission pointed out. Comments on his theories of the changing of the climates.
Thanks JC for his papers on 'ice-cap and eccentricities [of planets].' Comments on the papers, noting the interactions between geology and astronomy.
Thanks JC for his paper on the 'Influence of the Tidal Wave on the Moon's Motion.' Expresses disagreement with a number of aspects of JC's argument.
Discusses papers by JC dealing with erosion. Comments on papers on the subject by J. B. Jukes, A. C. Ramsay, and William Whitaker. Formerly believed in power of the sea. Never fully realised the truth until reading JC’s papers.
Comments on glaciers in North America.
Asks if glacial periods have occurred alternately in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Relevant to his glacial discoveries in South America: "it would have been an immense relief to my mind if I could have assumed … this". CD wishes to discuss subject in new edition of Origin [5th].
Acknowledges receipt of book and manuscript.
Apologises for having kept JC’s book so long; would like to keep it about ten days more.
Returns book with thanks. "Joyfully accepts" idea of the warming of Southern Hemisphere during glacial period in the Northern. Lyell is unwilling.
Mentions H. N. Moseley’s study of descent of glaciers [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].
CD greatly troubled by problem of age of the earth and calculations of Sir William Thomson. Asks about changes in the form of the globe.
Consoling to CD that JC gives "a little more age to the world".
Cites article by Henry Moseley ["On the mechanical possibility of the descent of glaciers", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 17 (1869): 202–8].
Mentions article by A. R. Clarke on shape of the globe.
Thanks JC for his proofs of article on the movement of glaciers.
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Introduces E. L. Youmans to correspondent. Youmans is seeking small monographs by the most competent English authors [for his International Scientific Series].
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Comments on JC’s paper ["On the tidal retardation argument for the age of the earth", Rep. BAAS (1876): 88–9].
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