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RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1871-81, ff. 246-7. 79.10.10

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1879-10-10. 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//letters/1870-9/1879/79-10-10-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

10/10/79.
It was with much gratification, dear Sir Joseph, that I received this day through the Governor your two very kind letters.
1
Letters not found.
The views, taken by our venerable Bentham, on honors from the throne are extreme; — and as he has rendered important services to the Australian Colonies , through his elucidation of their Floras, he comes quite within the reach of an order, confined to the mediterranean & colonial possessions of Britain.
2
At that period, the Order of St Michael and St George was so confined.
In many instances men of science must make some sacrifices of their own feelings for the sake of their social status, family connections, official position, & where a distinction has a value even for a Lady, she must also be considered.
When you see Sir Henry Barkly, pray remember me kindly to him, and thank him for his continued goodness towards me. I wished he was here again! Assuredly the British Government will still further utilize his great administrative abilities.
3
Barkly, who was retired on a pension in 1877, was nominated as one of the 'Commissioners on the defence of British possessions and commerce abroad' on 8 December 1879. He did not receive a further appointment as a colonial Governor (DNB).
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach must be a particularly kind and enlightened man. I hope that some day it will be in my power, to evince to the right Honorable Baronet actively my gratitude for the consideration, which he has shown me.
4
See M to M. Hicks Beach, 29 September 1879.
Let me thank you also for devoting again a plate to one of my plants. It almost brings tears into my eyes! The foliage of this 6445 will bring Guichenotia to mind, G. ledifolia in its small state being not dissimilar to Lasiopet. Baueri I gathered seeds of it in 1867 in W.A. My "native plants"
5
B79.06.04.
will not be free from short-comings, but a foundation for a more perfect work will thereby be gained.
Perhaps you will remember, dear Sir Joseph, that I strongly urged to you & Mr Bentham, when you commenced the genera,
6
Bentham & Hooker (1862-83).
to include the
Monochlamydeae

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among the higher developed plants,
7
See for example M to G. Bentham, 24 January 1862, and M to W. Hooker, 29 January 1862 (in this edition as 62-01-29a).
to which you mainly objected, because it would be better to keep to D.C., as the prodromus
8
A. P. de Candolle (1823-73).
was everywhere in use. Still, I foresee, that in a new edition you will in due time amalgamate the
Apetalae

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with Calyci- &
Thalamiflorae

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. But a few instances of difficulty occur, e.g. with
Casuarina

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e.
It is kind of you to support Profess. M’Coy at the Council of the R.S.,
9
Royal Society. See M to T. Huxley, 8 June 1879, and M to J. Hooker, 8 June 1879 (in this edition as 79-06-08b).
and I will act on your advice concerning the certificate.
10
See Royal Society nomination certificate for Frederick McCoy (in this edition as 80-03-04a).
With regardful
remembrance
Ferd. von Mueller