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RBG Kew, Letters to Joseph Hooker, vol. 16, ff. 12-12. 94.06.18

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1894-06-18. 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/1890-6/1894/94-06-18-final.odt>, accessed May 15, 2026

18/6/94
By last mail, dear Sir Joseph, I received from Dr Dyer the concluding part of vol. VI of your famous flora of British India.
1
Hooker (1875–97). See also M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 18 June 1894 (in this edition as 94-06-18a).
Mr Clarke's treatment of the
Cyperaceae

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is thorough and reliable,
2
C. B. Clarke (1894).
and interests also an Australian worker in many respects. I would mention, that in my opinion the name
Carex ampullacea

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should stand, as you have it in the Kew-Index,
3
i.e. Index kewensis (B. Jackson (1895)).
because the sec. vol of the L S. transact. came only out, long after Bishop Goodenough had read his essay on British Carices.
4
Goodenough (1794), p. 207. The paper was read on 3 April 1792 but not published until 1 May 1794 (Gage & Stearn (1988), p. 211).
In the meanwhile probably Withering's 3th vol of the second edit was printed,
5
M was mistaken. Carex is treated in the second volume of Withering (1787-92), pp. 1059-61.
and Goodenough had enough time to quote the name C. rostrata while the Bishop would have adopted the name given by Withering.
6
C. B. Clarke (1894), p. 740, treated Goodenough's C. ampullacea as a synonym of C. rostrata, published in Withering (1787-92), vol. 2, p. 1059, published August/September 1787 (TL2). Goodenough gave C. rostrata as a synonym.
I know this Carex well from danish swam[p and]
7
editorial addition - text obscured by binding.
moorlands since 1841.
Made two efforts in Tasmania through two influential Gentlemen there, for obtaining a fixed Gov position for Mr Bryan Hooker.
8
See S. Hooker to M, 5 January 1894, M to A. Morton, June 1894 (in this edition as 94-06-00a), and M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 25 June 1894 (in this edition as 94-06-00a).
But in these dreadful depressed times through all the Australian Colonies, if vacancies do occur they are not filled up and new positions are not created. If I do not hurt your feelings, I would make the suggestion, that you write some few lines to the hon. Dr. Agnew, (to whom I have not yet written). He married a rich Tasmanian Lady, was long in the Upper House, also once in the Ministry there. As you have such great claims on Tasmania, I feel sure a direct wish of yours through Dr Agnew would not be ineffectual, especially as through long medical practicing there he is closely befriended with numerous influential families in Hobarton.
9
Hobart, Tas.
The enclosed clip for the "Argus" is so funny that I trust it will amuse you also. I do not know the writer.
10
M marked the enclosed clipping 'Argus 18/6/94'. It was printed on p. 5:
Whaling in Hobson's Bay
The Harpooning of the Humpback.
(By an Amateur Whaler)
Baron von Mueller has lived to see his predictions verified and one more fairy tale of science translated into hard historic fact. Has he not impressed upon the Government again and again that there are whales in these Southern seas, gigantic creatures bearing untold wealth in whale bone, blubber, and ambergris within their oily hides? Has he not urged the Government to fit out an expedition for Antarctic exploration and send steamers away to search for the South Pole and bring back enough sperm oil to lift the colony out of its depression? And yesterday two genuine whales, varying in length, according to the estimate of frenzied onlookers, from 50ft to 150ft each, having entered Port Phillip Heads from the mystic shores of Guam, found their way up the bay in open disregard of Captain Fullarton's wrath and all the Marine Board regulations, and finally brought up a mile or so below the Gellibrand lightship … The boatmen of Williamstown are noted for their intrepidity. They will face the fury of the elements or the abuse of an overcharged passenger with the same calm and steadfast courage. The fact that they had never seen any whales … could not damp their ardour. Someone remembered hearing of an ancient mariner who had once wielded the harpoon … The veteran needed no pressing invitation, … [and soon] a wicked-looking whale-boat [with Hansen, the harpoonist, and five oarsmen] was rounding the breakwater pier … The value of an auxiliary steam service forced itself upon the oarsmen at an early stage and it was found far pleasanter to glide along in the wake of the steamer Acis … the harpooner took his station in the bow of the Acis, leaving 60 fathoms of good Manilla rope lying in the tub of the whaleboat, with one end made fast to the harpoon and the other to a stout post amidships … the lust of the chase was kindled in [the men], and the fierce desire for blood, or blubber, took possession of them … The whaleboat got easily within 50 yards of [the whales], but Mr Hansen reserved his fire until point-blank range … the harpoon itself might have been a little newer, but Mr Hansen … balanced his rusty iron with an air of confidence that was not devoid of grace … the harpoon sped home, the line flew out from the tub with a "sizz" … and whale and whaleboat were off like a train in the direction of Geelong … after twenty minutes … the whale … was going faster than ever. Suddenly he stopped … [then] made a sudden bound, and the rope … snapped like a piece of thread, leaving five crestfallen mariners in a waterlogged boat … [a second harpoon] glided off the creatures side … the "humpback" incontinently assumed the offensive … getting well underneath [the Acis] he gave her one smack with his tail which canted her first to port and then to starboard … the Acis left the scene. In the afternoon the chase was resumed by the whaleboat, towed first by the steamer Hope and afterwards by the Customs launch, which went out in charge of Mr James Martin to see that no lives were sacrificed in establishing the new industry. …[But it] could not get near enough even for a deck hand to throw a boat hook at either of the tantalising monsters. As evening closed in a boat full of whalers tired and wet, but happy and hopeful still, put back to Williamstown, leaving the "humpback" lashing the waves in a paroxysm of delight at the result of the chase, which will be resumed this morning as soon as it is light.
Ever regardfully
Your
Ferd. von Mueller.
I unfortunately missed seeing Mrs Hooker, while lately the Lady passed through Melbourne
11
Brian Hooker's wife Sophie, en route from Qld to join her husband.