Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M3, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 80.10.01

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Joseph Hooker to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1880-10-01. 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/1880-9/1880/80-10-01-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
MS embossed with the crest of Royal Gardens Kew.
Octr. 1 /80
Dear Mueller
I wanted to thank you for the most acceptable Palms; your letter
2
See M to J. Hooker, 10 August 1880.
& Fragmenta. I keep
Bacularia

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, though I fear that it will have to contain species that (as with so many other genera) do not accommodate themselves to the origin of the name.
I see that some of the imperfectly known Australian Palms are already flowering in Hills
3
Walter Hill, superintendent of the Brisbane Botanic Garden.
Garden at Brisbane. I wish I could recognize your Halorageas affinity of
Batis

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? The pedaloid scales between the stamen, & the erect ovule & erect Exalbuminous seed short radicle & large cotyledons seem wholly opposed to that alliance
4
See B80.13.07, p. 43: ‘This halorageous shrub…’, See also systematic index on p. 372.
— I do not see why you say I have overlooked Grisebach's notes. I referred to them but found nothing worth noting — he never even saw the ♀ flowers & adds nothing to our knowledge of the plant
I see you have Athrotaxis from the continent of Australia — that is very interesting.
5
Hooker appears to have misinterpreted the comment ‘Athrotaxis selaginoides ad montes Fieldii praersitim circum lacum Fetonii vidid’ in B80.02.02, p. 104. Mt Field is in Tasmania, which Hooker would not have counted as part of the continent of Australia.
The Asa Grays left us this morning after a fortnights visit for the continent. They will spend 2 months in Spain. We shall join them in the S. of France we hope about Xmas for 2 months tour in Italy. I have had no vacation this year. The Grays will return to Kew for the summer.
I find the genera of Palms a most serious matter — I had hoped to reduce the genera largely, but am quite unable, the characters of the ♂ flowers [usually] are so remarkable & various. Wendland has been here & most kind & helpful — he certainly has a wonderful knowledge of them both by habit & characters. Beccari has sent me his complete & splendid collection for study. — I do wish I could reduce the genera as he has done but I see no choice between many genera of
Arecinae

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and one to include a most heterogeneous assemblage. I never was more puzzled.
Ever sincerely yr
JD Hooker.