Promises in her next letter to comment about JH's 'chrysotype' photographic process.
Promises in her next letter to comment about JH's 'chrysotype' photographic process.
The Smith, Elder & Co. account for the first number of part five of the Zoology, now published, is presented.
[To JC as Secretary, Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge:] Thanks for offer to send a copy of Augustus De Morgan's Differential and Integral Calculus.
Describes the total solar eclipse seen by Francis Baily at Pavia and George Airy at Turin. They were thrilled to witness three purple flames from the blocked sun emerge around the edge of the moon. Thirty more Cape Town sweeps remain to be reduced.
Seeks to clear up confusions about various photographic processes, e.g., the Chrysotype process, developed by JH, about which confusions arose from earlier reports on them in the Athenaeum.
Gives the height of Shrewsbury above sea-level.
Congratulates HES on producing an authoritative document [BAAS committee report on zoological nomenclature].
Has been to N. Wales looking at glacier traces described by W. Buckland, which are most interesting and clear. Has written an article on what he saw ["Ancient glaciers of Caernarvonshire" (1842), Collected papers 1: 163–71].
Has been unable to make many readings with the actinometer. Is expecting some irregular readings with the magnetometers. Survey of South Africa appears very distant. Relates recent events in Natal and with the Boers.
Sends Joseph Cranch to consult with JH over an equatorial telescope for Harvard College Observatory.
Magnetic survey of Austrian dominions to be undertaken. Sending portable apparatus for survey in Mediterranean along with instructions from [Charles] Riddell. Completed sea observations for R.S.L.
Compliments JH's translation (1842) of J. C. F. Schiller's 'The Walk.' Is going to Scotland, then Switzerland. Has seen enough of America.
Would be pleased to be visited by C to discuss the application regarding glass [lenses] of various algebraic formulae devised by JH. Will also show C some of JH's recent work in photography.
Recounts details of his recent visit to England. Recent astronomical observations. Has JH heard from C. K. J. Bunsen about his award?
Asks GA's opinion as to whether Ordinance observatories should make their magnetic observations on a 3-minute or 5-minute system.
Thinks it necessary to revise the instructions for the magnetic observations. Makes some suggestions for the Report of the Committee.
Returning packet of papers on magnetism. Encloses copy of a letter he has sent to Edward Sabine. Has seen the recent eclipse of the sun.
Writes to send thanks by way of AH to the King of Prussia for the award of the Order of Merit. JH also comments on some astronomical matters.
Regarding the revision of the instructions for the magnetic observatories.
No summary available.
JDH replies to letters from his father, William Jackson Hooker. JDH arrived at the Bay of Islands, [New Zealand] 18 Aug. At Port Jackson got 200 species incl. new Sclotheimia. Area is well known but JDH has found ferns & mosses new to Cunningham's flora. Collected animals from 400 fathoms, but no marine vegetation. In flower are: Vitex littoralis, Fuchsia excorticans & orchids incl. Pterostylis Banksii. Found a few lichens, fungi & seaweed. Met missionary, Colenso, through Captain King, they will collect Crytogammia. Describes landscape. Habitat wrong for Andraea, has found Trichostomum peridiatale, Neckera setosa & a Fissidens, looks for Dawsonia & Polytichium dendroides. Colenso will send live specimens incl. Hookeriae rotulata, pennata, quadrifaria & Leptostonum macrocarpona. Thanks Robb & Mitchell for letters. Hopes Thomson succeeds at the Calcutta Museum. Has few opportunities to botanize, is studying crustacea as a temp. alternative. Captain Ross has an excellent collection of marine zoology. Hopes that the findings of the expedition will be of scientific value & public interest. Next they go to Chatham Island, Falklands & the Cape. Hopes his sisters are well. Has concerns re. his Van Diemen's Land flora. Discusses spelling of VDL & name change to Tasmania. Points out errors in ICONES [PLANTARUM] re. Ranunc[ulus] pimpinellifolius & others. Mentions JOURNAL [OF BOTANY], Gardner's return, future plans, Arnott, completion of the Arctic Botany & 'Beechey's'. Compares Fitch's work in the GERENA FILICUM to Bauer's. Wants news from Athenaeum, Glasgow Association, Link & Klotzsch. Mentions Lindley's activities, Bentham's collections & Bagan at [Glasgow] University. JDH is sending a map & drawing in confidence. He stores collections in rum & tobacco casks. Has 20 bird skins, shells & insects for Maria. Describes a ball on the ships Erebus & Terror on Derwent [River], attended by John Franklin. Notes the Antarctica expedition has received less fanfare than Arctic ones.