To Joseph Hooker   21 April 1873

Melbourne bot Garden

21/4/73

When recently examining some Stylideae, dear Dr Hooker, I had occasion to confirm your supposition beyond any doubt, that Donatia must be placed in that order.¹ I further have restored the name Phyllachne for Forstera and Candollea for Stylidium in the coming number of the Fragmenta.² On some other plants I have written to the good Mr Bentham.³

The new volume of the genera⁴ will bring a vast amount of new and solid information.

I come now to a subject of perhaps some importance. By this mail I have forwarded to you a small case with products from Eucalyptus tar, made by my order in my laboratory. This supplements various other phytochemic substances, sent to London for the Exhibition under care of the Victorian Commissioner[s]. I am fully aware, that the time for Exhibits being received is closed, but as I do not compete for a prize, you might easily arrange for the admission yet, in order that the articles may come under the eyes of the jurors. They are finally destined for your Museum,⁵ but I must have them previously through your kind action brought under full notice. Perhaps my friend, Baron Justus Von Liebig, may visit the Exhibition. If so you might draw the attention of this great man to the subject. I fancy, that it will bring many new researches about, because the investigations for tar oils, anilin[e] colors &c have been made hitherto almost solely on Coniferous woods. If you take into considerations what a vast quantity of Eucalyptus wood as "hardwood" is available in Australia and how easily these trees are cultivated in the warm temperate zones, then any new products from them demand very careful attention. We have now before us the startling fact, that Eucalyptus Globulus yeilds a tar oil, which can be separated by chemical means into not less than 10 separate oils, of which all I send samples. All are peculiar and will have their own technologic uses! After the crushing reductions here of course my wings are clipped, as Mr Edw Wilsons people and my other tormentors have brought my Department to the brink of Starvation. All the quantity prepared is sent to you, but I will try to get an other lot ready for tests by myself here as regards solubility of various resins, chemical reaction &c. Meanwhile the excellent Dr Gladstone might kindly examine the samples, sent to you for refraction and publish the results,⁶ which I can then utilize for my new report at the hoped resuscitation of my Department. The Agent of the Peninsul. & Orient Company sends my case free as far as Southampton. Please make arrangements for safe location in the exhibition.⁷

With best salutation

Ferd. von Mueller

I enclose an order for the delivery of the case to your Agent at Southampton or London.⁸

Candollea

Donatia

Eucalyptus Globulus

Forstera

Phyllachne

Stylideae

Stylidium