From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
Alexander von Humboldt
Date:
[11 February 1850]
Source of text:
RS:HS 23.84
Summary:
Answers questions raised by AH in his 1850-1-19 [letter contains notes made by AH].
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
Answers questions raised by AH in his 1850-1-19 [letter contains notes made by AH].
Offers some information on 'Coal Sacks' in Southern Cross [see AH's 1850-7-31]. Happy to hear that volume 3 of Kosmos is near completion.
JDH thanks Humboldt for mention in ASPECTS OF NATURE. JDH mentions his imprisonment by the Rajah with [Archibald] Campbell. He writes regarding geography of the Himalayas. He discusses heights of certain peaks determined by the Surveyor General & Captain Thullier & also determining elevation using native & cultivated vegetation as indicators, e.g. at Lhassa. He describes the location, extent & nature of mountain groups with reference to landmarks & some mention of the different people, vegetation, snowline & climate. His description covers: Chumalari, Kinchin-Junga [Kanchenjunga] between rivers Teesta & Arun, Dwhalgiri [Dhaulagiri], Gossain-Than between Gundule & Gogra, Jewahir, a group dividing Soubansiri & the Morass, Patchion Valley, Donkiah between Matchoo [Mo Chhu] & Lachen, Mansarovar, Kamtchoo[?] Lakes, U & Tsang provinces, Dingchaun Province, Ramtchin, Kiong-lah range incl. Odoos & Mateltons, Yarou river, Mendoling & Darjeeling. He discusses the boundaries of Nepal, Tibet, Sikkim, China & Bhutan mentioning Puri. JDH presents theory that Himalayas are spurs of a larger mountain chain, but does not think they are 'the mountain Axis in Asia'. Thomson thinks Karakoran & Miztagh are continuation of the' axis' from Mansarowar: a 'noued' on the Sutlej & Indus rivers. Discusses the monsoons in Sikkim, Garrows, Rajmahal Mts , Bhutan Mts & Khossyeh [Khasia]. Discusses the vegetation in Tibet: Lonicera, Rhododendron, Zarruchillia, Ranunculus, Graphalinea, Saussurea, Artemisia, Erejeron, Astragalus, Valeriana, Loniera, Rosa, Berberis, insects & animals he has seen & how the pines differ there. Rocks & geological formations in the Himalayas incl: Gneiss, Granites, fossilferous limestone, Mica, Clay, Sandstone & coal, hot-springs with sulphurous salts, moraines & glaciers that show Himalayas are sinking. JDH will visit Cachar, Chittagong & Arracan before leaving for Calcutta [Kolkata] & England. Hodgson is ill & JDH heard about Prince of Prussia's accident.
No summary available.
JH has been delayed in replying to AH's 1851-8-13 because of official duties at the Great Exhibition. Comments further on several astronomical matters.