Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T01:02:33.005Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The invertebrate collections of the Erebus and Terror Antarctic expedition; a missed opportunity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2009

J. Davenport  and
G.E. Fogg
J. Davenport
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences (University College of North Wales), Marine Science Laboratories, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Gwynedd LL59 5EY UK
G.E. Fogg
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences (University College of North Wales), Marine Science Laboratories, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Gwynedd LL59 5EY UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Although at the time the zoological establishment had little interest in the smaller planktonic and benthic marine invertebrates, James Ross assisted by Joseph Hooker amassed a large collection of these animals during the Erebus and Terror voyage of 1839–43. These samples perished withoutRoss having carried out his intention of working on them. The only knownmaterial relating to them that survives today consists of a small number of drawings by Hooker in the British Museum (Natural History). These are evidently the remnants of a much larger collection which became dispersed among the experts preparing Challenger reports from 1876 onwards. Undoubtedly Ross and Hooker discovered many new species and genera (an example discussed being an apparently undescribed pycnogonid) which were left undescribed. Their finding of animal life at depths below 300 fathoms was not properly publicized so that Forbes' doctrine of the absence of life in the depths of the sea was able to persist for several more decades.

Type
Articles
Information
Polar Record , Volume 25 , Issue 155 , October 1989 , pp. 323 - 328
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Calman, W. T. and Gordon, I. 1933. A dodecopodous pycnogonid. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 113: 107–115.Google Scholar
Cook, F. A. 1900. Through the first Antarctic night 1898–1899. London, Heinemann.Google Scholar
Deacon, M. 1971. Scientists and the sea 1650–1900: a study of marine science. London, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Ehrenberg, C. G. 1844. Resultate über das Verhalten des kleinsten Lebens in den Oceanen und den grössten bisher zuganglichen Tiefen des Weltmeers. Verhandlungen der Konigl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin: 182–207.Google Scholar
Eights, J. 1835. Description of a new animal belongingto the Arachnides of Latreille: discovered in the sea along the shores of theNew South Shetland Islands. Boston Journal of Natural History 1 (2), 203–206.Google Scholar
Fry, W. G. and Hedgepeth, J. W. 1969. The fauna of the Ross Sea. Part 7. Pycnogonida, 1. Colossendeidae, Pycnogonidae, Endeidae, Ammotheidae. Fauna of the Ross Sea 7. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Bulletin 198. (New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir 49).Google Scholar
Hooker, J. D. 1839–1845. Correspondence 1839–1845 from Antarctic Expedition. Archives of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.Google Scholar
Hooker, J. D. 1845. Note on some marine animals, brought up by deep-seadredging, during the Antarctic voyage of Captain Sir James C. Ross, RN. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 1, xvi: 238–239.Google Scholar
Hooker, J. D. 1847. The botany of the Antarctic voyageof HM Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the years 1839–1843. London, Reeve Brothers. Reprint 1963: Weinheim, J. Cramer.Google Scholar
Huxley, L. 1918. Life and letters of Sir Joseph DaltonHooker OM, GCSI, based on materials collected and arranged by Lady Hooker. 2 vols. London, John Murray.Google Scholar
Richardson, J. and Gray, J. E. (editors). 1844–1875. The zoology of the voyage of HMS Erebus & Terror, under the Command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, RN, FRS, during the years 1839 to 1843. Vol. 1 Mammalia, Birds. London, E. W. Janson.Google Scholar
Ross, J. C. 1847. A voyage of discovery and research in the southern and Antarctic regions during the years 1839–43. 2 vols. London, John Murray, London. Reprint 1969: Newton Abbot, David and Charles.Google Scholar
Ross, M. J. 1982. Ross in the Antarctic. Whitby, Caedmon.Google Scholar
Royal Society 1839. Report of the President and Council of the Royal Society on the instructions to be prepared for the Scientific Expedition to the Antarctic Regions. London, Richard& John E. Taylor.Google Scholar
Royal Society 1840. Report of the Committee of Physics, including Meteorology, on the objects of scientific enquiry in those sciences. London, Royal Society.Google Scholar
Sars, G. O. 1885. Report on the Schizopoda collected by HMS Challenger during the years 1873–1876. In:Thomson, C. W. and Murray, J. (editors). Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of HMS Challenger during the Years 1872–76, Zoology XIII:1–228. London, HMSO.Google Scholar
Thomson, C.Wyville, , and Murray, J. 1895. Report on the Scientific Results of the voyage of HMS Challenger during the Years 1872–76. A Summary of the Scientific Results. 2 vols. London, HMSO.Google Scholar
Turrill, W. B. 1963. Joseph Dalton Hooker: botanist, explorer and administrator. London, Nelson.Google Scholar