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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