Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne

Christmas day /12/75

It is but right, dear Dr Hooker, after I wrote to you about the supposed Tussockgrass some weeks ago,

1

M to J..Hooker, 2 October 1875.

that I should inform you of a complete mystification concerning this plant as thriving here, though glowing accounts, mainly emanating from the Adelaide bot Garden, went round the Australian papers concerning the wonderful acquisition, which our Australian pastures had thus obtained. I was skeptic all along on the subject, 1, because a glance on the map would show one, that a Fuegian Grass was not likely to thrive on the often hot pastures of Australia. 2, because if this grass, thoughtfully brought by you to England more than 30 years ago, was really of importance for general pasture, then it would have found its way long since to the meadows of Britain on a large scale.

But fancy my amazement when I now from various sources learn (of course I could not show myself in my own garden since 2 years) that the famous grass is merely the common honey grass of Europe, (Holcus lanatus). Surely any one could have seen by merely opening the seedparcel that it was a Holcus and not a Dactylis, but failing in even this commonplace distinction, surely anybody even not pretending to professional knowledge, might have seen soon after the seed germinated, that the supposed Tussockgrass would never or could never make Tussocks! I had advisedly recommended the Dactylis caespitosa for our Snowy mountains, vid Accl. Soc. vol. 1

2

B72.13.02, p. 292.

where peatbogs exist, and with this view I obtained in 1859 or 1858 already seed from the Governor of the Falkland Islands, which seeds however did not grow. I have written to the present Governor now again on this subject.

3

The correspondence has not been found.

I felt greatly pleased to be suddenly honored with a visit of the Rev Dr Turner.

4

The health of Dawson William Turner, brother of Joseph Hooker's mother, had broken down and 'he was ordered a long rest and a voyage to the Antipodes' (Allan [1967], p. 226). He arrived in Melbourne on 7 December 1875 and departed on 6 January 1876 (Argus, 8 December 1975, p. 4; 7 January 1876, p. 4).

So I shall always think of your uncle particularly when I see the Dawsonia Moss. The Rev Gentleman showed me great consideration, particularly when he found me out of the botanic Garden in my ruined state, at which of course Mr Francis in all his richdom [even] in England now rejoices.

5

James Francis had resigned as Chief Secretary in July 1874, and in December 1874 departed for England in a private capacity, not returning to Victoria until November 1876.

As I had introduced the Rev Dr Turner indirectly to the acting Governor

6

William Stawell.

and to Sir Redmond Barry, he interceded on my behalf most nobly not only with them, but also with our Premier,

7

James McCulloch.

though the latter has unfortunately neither knowledge nor taste for science. This done by the brother in law of Sir Will Hooker must necessarily have effect to some extent and Dr Turners sudden visit here may be a favorable turning point in my unhappy fate.