Will forward WB's report on Kew Observatory to [John] Taylor. Praises WB's thoroughly inductive discussion of atmospheric electricity.
Comments favorably on report by W. R. Birt on Kew meteorological observations. Sees special significance concerning atmospheric electricity.
“We now have now several hundred [plant] specimens dried and drying”; sowed seeds of palms and fruit trees; have flowers including orchids. In September hope to send my collections to England and then go upriver, will explore Montalegre [sic] and north shores of Amazon. Ferns abundant here, especially Hepaticae. Enclose a note for Mr. Smith about his plants from Kew. Bringing assistant from London was a mistake, as he is drained of energy in this hot climate; cannot keep up with blacks, who are also “expert at climbing trees” with a rope and work for half the pay. Has seen ARW, who has “quarreled [sic] & separated long ago from Bates, who is now at mouth of the Tocantins. ARW has gone to Monte Alegre.
Thanks JH for a copy of a scientific manual (Admiralty Manual?).
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Outlining the advantage of a visit to Scotland. Hopes JH will have time to visit Knockspock as some of his friends will be there.
JDH is en route to Lachoong [Lachung] Pass but must first dry & send his plants to Darjeeling. He has many from the Lachen valley & wanted to stay longer despite the Rajah. [Archibald] Campbell [AC] writes of a lot of fever between there & Darjeeling but the Lachung road is safer. He wants Astragali, Cruciferae etc. from the Tibetan slopes or the table-land of Lachen. JDH took a Tartar pony up to 17000ft. He is now at 6000ft & describes the varied vegetation. He thinks the dangers are exaggerated, despite the discomfort of leeches. WJH’s letter arrived with PS from Lord Carlisle. He is glad the government has given up the Borneo grant. The Indian troops say Borneo is worse than Hindustan. [James] Brookes defends it only as a Naval depot. JDH is annoyed with AC’s politeness towards the Rajah; he had to rely on the Soubah’s help. JDH & AC also disagree about the location of the Tibet frontier at Neenla[?]. JDH will send seeds & roots of Jatamansi for the museum. Thomson is still at Simla [Shimla]. JDH will not take magnetic observations for the R.H.[Royal Horticultural?] Society unless Sabine sends the insgtruments. He dismisses the aneroid & would rather Newman send another small barometer. Muller has bought the instruments last sent; Hodgson also wants some as does Mr Middlesmiss[?] who cultivates tea at Khersiong. He congratulates WJH on Thwaites appointment & will write to him at Ceylon [Sri Lanka] about the importance of systematic botany & the 'Flora Zeylanica'. He is glad WJH has written to Jenkins & that Stevens does well. The seeds in Wallich’s letter were for WJH. He discusses the oaks & chestnuts there, his opinions on Spruce, Rhododendron formosum & the Palaeontographical Society. He will write to Bentham. JDH complains of Reeves, who has neglected sending copies of JDH's works. All India loves RHODODENDRONS OF THE SIKKIM-HIMLAYA. WJH should beware of Pentland who takes credit for Humboldt’s discovery.
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Appreciates JH's praise of his meteorological work. Describes curious waterspouts in the sea and their boiling appearance.
JDH writes to his mother [Lady Maria Hooker] from Choongtam. He has been successful in his trip to the pass at Lachen & the plateau of Tibet. JDH discusses [Archibald] Campbell’s & [Brian Houghton] Hodgson’s attempts to get Lord Dalhousie & the Indian Government to defray JDH’s expenses. JDH declined the offer as he did not want to cause animosity with the E.I.C. [East Indian Company]. JDH talks of the successes of his Rhododendron book & jungle journal extracts which were printed in the Asiatic Society’s Journal. He would like WJH’s telescope sent out, & suggests sending it to Carey or Dolland for repair. He would like to be able to observe the eclipses of Jupiter’s satellites. JDH discusses the sale of Newman’s & Adie’s instruments in Calcutta [Kolkata]. He wants a Kater Azimuth Compass as his is borrowed from CaptainThuillier, Deputy Surgeon General.
Accepts EHS’s invitation for Thursday.
Has arranged for the missing parts of their journal to be forwarded. His own health is good.
No summary available.
Certain that JH did not receive WB's 'Sheet of Curves.' They may be in Edward Sabine's or WB's own possession.
Describes his research on cirripedes: an "anatomical and systematic catalogue". Asks to borrow specimens.
Thanks MATW for the results of her experiments on the inheritance of caterpillar peculiarities and would be grateful for any further observations on differences in structure or habits between silkworm breeds, or peculiarities in inheritance.
Has received from Edward Sabine the manuscript of his own report on the electrical observations. Is pleased that his labors have been useful.
The Dome has been returned to the Cape and is now in process of erection as the enclosed will show.