Text Online
From:
Iwanne Müller
To:
Ferdinand von Mueller
Date:
August 1841
Source of text:
Private hands
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller Project
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
JDH congratulates his father, William Jackson Hooker, on his appointment as Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He heard the news from Clowes & it was in the March papers. Has also heard that his sister, Mary Harriet, is still very ill. He speculates about the salary & housing arrangements for WJH & family at Kew & what will happen to [William Townsend] Aiton. Arnott & [Walter Hood] Fitch will assist WJH in the move from Glasgow. In consideration of WJH's new position JDH has asked [Ronald Campbell] Gunn to cultivate Tasmanian plants that could be sent to Kew. Gunn used to a have an amazing garden in Launceston. Mr Levy[?] has also offered to send Kew things from Port Jackson & new parts of the colony e.g. Moreton Bay, McQuarrie [Macquarie] harbour & the McLeay [Macleay] river, incl. live specimens of the moss; Dawsonia. Mr Bidwell, a merchant who has recently returned from a tour of the North Island of New Zealand, including ascent of the volcano Tongadido, has sent specimens from the expedition to Lindley & others. His specimens of Dawsonia compared to Gunn's & a figure in the MUSCI EXOTICA have made JDH wonder if there are 3 different species or not. JDH has met Captain King, who gave him a letter of introduction to [William] Colenso & told him all about [Allan] Cunningham's death. Clowes' health has improved & he plans to settle at Hunter River, he has been looked after by the McLeays. William Sharpe is engaged in horticulture & has laid out a garden of 25 acres full of Australian & East & West Indian plants growing alongside European species such as snowdrops & Jonquils. Fruits grow very well in Sydney, except for Gooseberries & Currants, as do palms, conifers & tropical Orchids. The 'Erebus' is leaving for Bay of Islands, from where JDH will write again. He does not expect to receive more mail until they reach the Falkland Islands in 8 months. He has a cabin filled with bottles & buckets of animals to work on.
Encloses catalogue of 1677 stars. Has sent his own report on star nomenclature to Plymouth. Will call at his house later in the week.
No summary available.
Hears with pleasure of the peace reigning at the Cape between the Caffres. The Boers are a different proposition and JH agrees with GN's policy. J. R. Innes called in on his way to Scotland. Weather in England is gloomy, like the political events.
Requests JH's opinion on five specific points in 'Report on Standards.'
Presents best wishes to Lady Herschel. Regrets not having met on account of meeting with [G. B.] Airy at Greenwich. Is keeping four pictures of JH and has offered 2 additional ones to Prince Albert.
Asks for JH's comments on George Peacock's assessment that the Report of the Standards Commission [see GA's 1841-7-27] is directed too much to scientific men, and others will not understand it; suggests an appendix to show the relationship between the proposed measures.
Reliability of measuring instruments used in scientific and public surveys. Approves George Peacock's suggestion to revise survey tables for use by non-scientist surveyors. Schools should teach only legalized systems of weights, measures, and money.
Comments on the report [see GA's 1841-8-11]; wants the standards legislation to be demanding of rigor in application.
Has received JH's 'Report' proof regarding JH's description of specific gravity. Captive balloons. Would JH refer him to D. F. J. Arago's experiments on the shadow of a disk.
No summary available.
Is confused by French system of recording specific gravity and seeks GA's assistance; also GA and JH are named to a committee that JH thinks only wastes money.
No summary available.
Complains further about French specific gravity designation [see JH's 1841-8-14 or earlier], and describes observing colored fringes on the edge of clouds.
Discusses meteor showers of 9 August 1840, emanating from a point in the constellation Perseus. Calls attention to a report on these meteors as seen from near Vesuvius in 1779 by William Hamilton.
Reports detailed observations on humble-bees boring holes in flowers to extract nectar instead of brushing over the stamens and pistils. Some hive-bees seem to use the holes made by the humble-bees; speculates that this would be a case of acquired knowledge in insects.
Comments specifically on the accuracy of surveyors' chains [see JH's 1841-8-13], together with brief comments on a few other matters.