The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 5. Febr. 59 ¶ Dear Sir William. ¶ ¶ I have since commencing to write to you finished the examination of Mr Babbages plants. They contain 2 new genera, 1 differing from Kochia in producing only 2 wing...

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RBG Kew, Directors' letters, vol. LXXIV, Australia letters 1851-8, letter no. 188. 59.02.05

Plant names

Apocyneae
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Babbagia
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Eremophila
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Eriocauleae
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Eriocaulon heterogynum
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Grevillea
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Gunnia
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Helichrysum
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Hibiscus
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Joncinelle
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Juncella
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Juncus capitatus
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Kochia
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Portulaceae
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Solanum
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Trichinium
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Trithuria
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Hooker, 1859-02-05. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/59-02-05>, accessed April 2, 2025

5. Febr. 59

Dear Sir William.

I have since commencing to write to you finished the examination of Mr Babbages plants. They contain 2 new genera, 1 differing from in producing only 2 wings, both vertical! = , the other = is a remarkable little pygmy of

M erected both (B. dipterocarpa) and (G.septifraga) in B59.10 02, p. 21 and p. 9 respectively. For the intention to name a genus after Ronald Gunn to replace Lindley's orchid genus , see M to R. Gunn 14 December 1858, and M to J. Hooker, 15 December 1858 (n this edition as 58-12-15a).

with a [membranous] 4 locular 4 valved septicidal capsule which burst with suddenness by the slightest touch of moisture. The collection contains 8 new sp of genera know, vize , , , & Mr Dallachy has also returned

From the Murray and Darling rivers. See M to J. O'Shanassy, 11 February 1859 (in this edition as 59-02-11a).

and found like Mr Babbage a magnificent , which I dedi[cate]d

uncertain reading — torn page.

to the S. Austral. governor Sir Rich. Macdonell.

macdonnellii, B59.10.02, p. 18.

He has a new genus of ; a new & But the great mass of his collection has not yet arrived & may contain some novelty also.

The plants from Babbage's expedition were described in B59.10.02. Babbage's expedition of 1858 explored the northern areas of South Australia around the dry salt lakes near Lake Torrens before he was pressed into cutting short the expedition at the end of the year. See Threadgill (1922).

You were so kindfully watching for an opportunity to send us seeds &c. Would you allow me to refer you to my patriotic friend Edw. Wilson esq. City Bank Chambers 20 Threadneedle Street London, with whom I have communicated on the subject of transit.

Letter not found.

The most interesting plants which I lately examined were the , some of the species having a structure totally different to anything described by Koernicke.

Körnicke (1854).

E. heterogynum has some female flowers with 2 sepals and others with 4. I have them carefully described in my Fragmenta, but the printer has not furnished the work in time for the mail.

Seven species of Eriocaulon were described in B59.02.03, which was published later in February.

These plants remind me of Dr Hookers genus , a name which I shall be happy to adopt, but as in the Flora Tasmanica exception is taken of the name ,

'A singular little plant, of very obscure affinity, discovered by Gunn in Tasmania and also by Mueller in South Australia, who has proposed for it the manuscript name . … I have ventured to supersede the name proposed (without description) both because the plant has no affinity with or resemblence to Juncus, and because it is not confined to Tasmania.' In the synonomy Hooker gives ' Tasmanica, Mueller in Herb. Hook, and in the catalogue of Victoria (sic) Plants, [B54.12.01] sine descript.' (J. Hooker (1860), vol. 2, p. 78). See also J. Hooker to M, 20 December 1858.

which I employed, I would for my own vindication wish to remind Dr Hooker that Lamark in his Encyclopédiqué tab 50 employs the term for the allied genus Eriocaulon.

Lamarck (1783–1808), vol. 3, p. 274.

An other reason for my adopting in 1848 the name was, because it shows in the manner of growth, tuft like, its color , habit [a] resemblance (as the enclosed specimen shows) with Weigel, a plant already so well & so early referred to by you in flora Scotia.

Mr Babbage has only 1 specimen of each plant glued up, so that I do not possess them myself, but I will print a full enumeration of them I have broken a piece of from his specimen of .

Ever yours

Ferd. Mueller