What IS interesting is that several of the early titans and demi-gods of
Asian botany had decidedly truncated lives:
William Griffith - 1810-1845
William Jack - 1795-1822
Alexander Carroll Maingay - 1836-1869
Father Benedetto Scortechini - 1845-1886
-----Original Message-----
From: aroid-l-bounces@www.gizmoworks.com
[mailto:aroid-l-bounces@www.gizmoworks.com] On Behalf Of Theodore Held
Sent: Sunday, 17 October, 2010 3:50 AM
To: Discussion of aroids
Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Botanist Longevity in Borneo
According to my precise calculation, adjusted for today's estimated
life span compared with that of 1880, Peter Boyce should live to be
around 126.
Ted.
On Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 5:38 PM, Peter Boyce
wrote:
> Dear Ted:
>
> Fascinating stuff!
>
> Sir Hugh Low: 1824 - 1905; died less than a month short of his 81st year.
>
> Pete
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: aroid-l-bounces@www.gizmoworks.com
> [mailto:aroid-l-bounces@www.gizmoworks.com] On Behalf Of Theodore Held
> Sent: Friday, 15 October, 2010 1:48 AM
> To: Discussion of aroids
> Subject: [Aroid-l] Botanist Longevity in Borneo
>
> Dear List,
>
> Is there something about field work in Borneo that is healthy to human
> longevity? If the narrative in the latest Aroideana is any guide, one
> might want to think about spending some time there. If you are reading
> this and are not a member of the International Aroid Society you
> should change your ways, if only to be the recipient of our excellent
> journal.
>
> That aside, the other day I happened to peruse the lead article in
> Aroideana 33 by Peter Boyce, et al. The introduction contains a nice
> summary of the history of botanical exploration of Borneo. As I was
> reading I was struck by the life dates of the early scientists there.
> I have extracted them here to emphasize the life spans. The names are
> listed chronologically according to birth year.
>
> Pieter Willem Korthals (1807 - 1892, 85 years)
> James Motley (1822 - 1859, a short 37 years, but death due to murder)
> Odorado Becari (1843 - 1920, 77 years)
> Henry Nicholas Ridley (1855 - 1956, 101 years)
> Gustav Adolf Frederik Molengraff (1860 - 1942, 82 years)
> Willem Karel van Alderwerelt van Rosenburgh (1863 - 1936, 71 years)
> Anton Willem Niewenhuis (1864 - 1953, 89 years)
> Johann Gottfried Hallier (1868 - 1932, 64 years)
> Caetano Xavier Dos Remedios Furtado (1897 - 1980, 83 years)
>
> Excluding the murdered Mr. Motley, and Sir Hugo Low, another
> individual in the article for whom no life dates were mentioned, we
> have an average longevity of 81.5 years. This is at a time when life
> expectancy for a European male was perhaps on the order of 55 years
> (my guess).
>
> Isn't that interesting?
>
> Of course, the article goes on and talks about the various aroids
> found in Borneo, and includes loads of interesting pictures. And "The
> Araceae of Borneo - The Genera" is only one of the many excellent
> articles, covering 272 luscious pages, in our latest issue. One is
> hard-pressed to understand why any plant lover would not want to be a
> member and receive one of these books in the mail.
>
> Ted Held.
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