From:
Baden Powell
To:
Richard Owen
Date:
27 May 1850
Source of text:
MM/21/61, Royal Society
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Royal Society
No summary available.
Announces the discovery by Annibal de Gasparis of the asteroid Parthenope; gives its location.
Sorry to hear that WK is unable to visit.
Members of B.A.A.S. doubt private funding for telescope will be forthcoming soon [see see TR's 1849-10-21, JH's 1849-10-27, & TR's 1849-11-1]. Will apply to government for funds. Asks JH's advice regarding telescope design.
No summary available.
Reports that [Annibal] de Gasparis has discovered a new asteroid, Parthenope. Gasparis credits JH with the discovery because JH had proposed the name Parthenope when AG had discovered Hygeia.
No summary available.
Sends on announcement of 'new planet Parthenope' from Annibal de Gasparis at Naples.
No summary available.
Acknowledges receipt of JH's 1850-5-28; GA will pass on the news to some others.
Invites JH to join Bishop of Chester [John Graham] and George Peacock as member of royal commission of enquiry into state and revenues of Cambridge University.
JDH describes his journey so far with Thomas Thomson [TT]. They have collected species of weeds, & fruiting branches of Calamus for RBG Kew. Discusses identification of plants with Martius & Griffiths descriptions. Lists species collected: C. rotang of Roxburgh, C. fasciculatus, rose of Bengal, R. involucrate. JDH sent 40 baskets of Orchideae & Rhododendron plants from Rampore to Bell in Calcutta [Kolkata]. Many plants died in Calcutta Gardens, including Jock Smith’s. JDH recommends a cool frame to grow them in England. JDH left larches at Darjeeling growing well, but sent all Rhododendron to Falconer. Comments on Thwaites’ new position [at the Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, Botanic Garden]. JDH suggests [George] Gardner neglected the gardens for the dried specimens. Discusses Thwaites’ plan for a collection of Cinghalese plants. Discusses Lord Torrington’s character. Describes sketches from Cathcart he is sending to Fitch in London: one of Kinchinjunga [Kanchenjunga] & the range around it from Major Crommelin, & a scene of a tree fern & Caryota with K[anchen]junga behind. Mentions the death of Mrs Turner. JDH expresses doubt about identification of R. thomsoni B. JDH hopes the dry specimens will allow Fitch to draw them. Discusses naming a plant after Strachey. Commends Dalzell's descriptions. Briefly mentions Cape Comorin [Kanyakumari] & Bombay [Mumbai]. JDH is disappointed African teak is not a Vitex. Discusses changes at Woods & Forests Department & Lord Seymour's appointment. Tells WJH of Mr Francis, an Assistant Surgeon in the East India Company, who claimed to know botany, this JDH found to be false. Cathcart began a drawing of Helen Campbell but failed to finish.
Note to present JH with a copy of AS's work on 'Instinct and Reason.'
Thanks to the Royal Bavarian Academy of Science for electing JH a 'Foreign Member.' Trusts that the Academy received a copy of JH's Cape Results.
Received JR's letter as JH was preparing to leave home. Will consult with George Peacock and reply to JR soon.
No summary available.
No summary available.
No summary available.
Continues opposed to application to government to support the 'Great Southern Reflector' [see JH's 1849-10-27]; responds to a number of specific queries about the construction of such a telescope.