Letter and/or further information available at http://jdh.aetopia.net/p/jdh?q=jhc285.
Please cite as “JHC285,” in Ɛpsilon: The Joseph Dalton Hooker Collection accessed on 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/hooker/letters/JHC285
JDH explains to his father, William Jackson Hooker, how he forgot to pay for a gun procured in Glasgow. Assures WJH that his family are constantly in his thoughts & that he grieves the death of his brother William [Dawson Hooker]. Explains how he caught rheumatic fever in Madeira staying with Mr Muir. Everyone got prickly heat on entering the tropics but otherwise JDH has been healthy. JDH recounts the expedition's recent progress. He procured plants at Simon's Town, which they left on 6 Apr [1840] heading south via Marion Island & the Crozets. He describes the islands' appearance from the sea, they were unable to land due to stormy weather. Arrived Christmas Harbour, Kerguelen's Land, 12 May. Describes the appearance of these volcanic islands, which match Captain Cook's account, & notes how fierce the winter winds are. Describes his botanical excursions & findings whilst in Kerguelen's Land. McCormick made a geological collection of Quartz crystals, zeolites, coal & fossil wood. Lists the numbers of things he has found from various orders, fungi, musci, Rosaceae etc & particularly notes new genera of Cotrelleae & Umbelliferae. Briefly describes: features of a new Crucifera which they ate, new Ranunculus, Juncus & Amarantheae & a plant that flowers under the ice & belongs to no known natural order. JDH has made drawings of all the phanerogamic plants he found, based on dissections done under the microscope given to him by [James] Dalton. Describes preparing & storing the plants on board ship with Captain Ross. Took 3 weeks to sail 300 miles to Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania], describes how the HMS 'Erebus' weathers storms well. Mentions collecting seaweeds, letters from [George] Bentham & Mr Almond & letters owed to Childres, Boott & Brown. [Ronald Campbell] Gunn has been appointed Governor Sir John Franklin's secretary. JDH hopes to go to Oyster Bay.
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