Career

Collecting localities

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Literature

Biographical data

(Source: Flora Malesiana ser. 1, 1: Cyclopaedia of collectors)

Born: 1807, Amsterdam, Holland. Died: 1892, Haarlem, Holland.

career:

Botanist, working for some time in the Herbarium at Leiden; in July 1830 appointed member of the ‘Natuurkundige Commissie’ (Commission for Natural Sciences) for the D.E.I., making several tours in the Malay Archipelago. In 1837 he returned to Holland and was pensioned off in 1843.

The genera Korthalsia Blume and Korthalsella v. Tiegh., and several plant species were named after him.

Collecting localities:¹

1831. Java. Arrival on Apr. 13; in May the ‘Commissie’ made a trip along the north coast and returned by way of the south coast.²-W. Java: leaving Buitenzorg (July 2); to Tjieboerajoet, making trips on G. Salak, to the Tjibadak River, etc. (3-5); via Tjigombong to Tjitjoeroeg (staying 6-16), making trips to Tjisaät (8), Ciceroa (= Tjisaroea) (9), Tjibodjong, etc.; Pas(s)i(e)r Tankil (17); kp. Pasawahan babakan (18); with Macklot and v. Oort via Tjiboendoe(r) (20) to Pondok Tenga, climbing and staying on the summit of G. Salak (21-22),³ descending the W. slope to G. Berbakti (or Probakti) and visiting the NE. slope too; back to Tjitjoeroeg (23); to Tjitjadas and Tjibodjong (29-30); Bodjong ouring (Aug. 8); back to Tjitjoeroeg (9); to Nag(a)rak (l3), kp. Tjimahi (14), dessa Goenoeng Parang (15), Kalikki and foot G. Gédé (16); Lomodoehoer (20), Pas(s)ir Pogor (21), Passir Ipis (24), coffee plantations in the environs (25), Pesser Distr. (26); G. Kentjana (Sept. 2), kp. Tjipadang Goenoeng (2), Tjibelang River, etc.; trip to G. Gédé with S. Müller (8):⁴ Kandang Badak, Pondok Sella (9) and Aloen(g) Aloen(g), G. Goemoeroe (10), descent along the crater rim (11); bivouac on a plain with a kind of pond, making trips to Tjikoendoel (12), the crater and G. Batoe (13), hot springs (14) and Kandang Badak; Rawah Tjibeureum (16), and falls of Tjibeureum (17), cave (18), and descent (19) ; Tjiputri (21), hot spring Tjitjama (22), coffee plantations (23), G. Hallang (25); Tjanjor (= Tjiandjoer) (27); to the NE. part of Tjiputri (Oct. 4), the Lawon Datar, Tjihe(e)rang, G. Putri (8), Tjibadak and Laboea Boelan (9); Mandi(e) (11), G. Karang (12), Tjikallong (13), G. Sombone and G. Gambier; Bantar Koening (14), Tjikoerai and Patjet (15); returning to Buitenzorg via Telaga Warna (29); from Padjet (= Patjet) to Tj(i)andjo(e)r (Nov. 12), Mandi(e) (13), Darangdang, Parongkallong; to Waniasa (= Wanajasa) and environs (15); to Pouriakarta (= Poerwakarta) and Tjikao (29); G. Boerangrang (Dec. 1-2); valley of the Tjibagon and summit Boerangrang (2); exploring the N. side of the plain near B. Kokosan (3); near some lakes (4-5); Tjimabi River (6); back to Waniasa (7), exploration of the environs (9-14), G. Toemoegoe, tea plantations on Pas(s)i(e)r Nagara Tjina, etc.; at Kambang Koening (15-18) via Passawehan; to Tjikao (17); till Febr. 23, 1832, exploring the environs, G. Soeroet (Febr. 22), etc.; to Krawang (24); to Poerwakarta (March 11); to Tjikao (14) and Krawang, making headquarters there; upstream the Tjitaroem by proa (Apr. 3-17) via Tampil, G. Kroet, trip to S of Pangewellan (12), Pas(s)ir Benting (13), fall (tjoeroeg, 15); to Poerwakarta (18), Kambang Koening (19); to Kandang Sampie (24), G. Singoegoe (26), G. Boeloet (27); to Wangan (29); back to K. Sampie (May 1) via Tagal malacca; G. Tjikidang (6), G. Parang (8), G. Kradat (9), Simpurrum (12-14) and back to Tjikao (14); by proa to Tan(d)jong Poera (22); via Becassie (= Bekasi) to Batavia (23); Buitenzorg (May 29-July 5); Tji(e)trap (6), Tjilingse (= Tjileungsir) (7), Tjikao (8); G. Parang and Tjiceroa (= Tjisaroea) (15), Darangdan (16), Radjamandala (17), Bandoeng (18); to Limbang (= Lembang) (24); back to Bandoeng (30), and to Limbang once more (31); visit to a fall (Aug. 3), trips to the valley of the Tjihidung (4); G. Tangkoeban Prahoe (5-8, summit too); Tjikidang River and Pas(s)ir Malang (source) (9), Djamboe Diepa (11); to Limbang Tjimahi (12); to Radjagoela and G. Poeloesari (28), Manglayan (29), etc.; G. Tangkoeban Prahoe (Sept. 3), rawah near the Tjihidung (4); Tjipaganti (16); lime-kiln Tiilokot (Karang Penganti) near the Tjipadararang (17); indigo-factory Tjiari in Maleber Distr. (18-19); back to Bandoeng (20); to Limbang (21); Bandoeng (25-27); Limbang (28-. .); in Oct. to Bandoeng; Oct. 13 to the southern districts via Lewi Gadja, G. Gabus and kp. Tjibeling (14), Pajandongan (15), Bobantjon (16-21); trip to G. Patoeha (22-25), and back to Bobantjon (25) ; exploring the environs, G. Tambakh Roejong (Nov. 1), etc.; to Tjidammer (10) and proceeding to ?Kawah Tjiwidé (11) and back to the Tjiceroa; return at Bobantjon (12); to Banjarang (= Bandjaran) via G. Tiloe and Gombong; rawahs (swamps) W of Bandjaran (R. Papandajan, R. Goemoeroe, R. Tambakkan) and to Bandoeng (16); to Bandjaran (18); promontory of the Malabar and Tjiparay (19); TagalTenga (23); G. Goeha (24); via Kollelega to Tjiparay (28), and Tjiseroepan (= Tjisoeroepan); visit to plain in the north (Dec. 2); G. Papandajan (3), crater; trip to S. slope Papandajan (7) and other excursions; in southern direction, Tjikadjang and Pakingin (14); kp. Bomboelan (15), S of Bomboelan (16), E of Bomboelan (17); Tjikendang on the S. coast (20), beach (21), Tjipassireang (= Tjipasarangan) and Tjilaut Eur(e)un, Tjipam(e)un(g)p(e)uk (22); excursions on the beach etc. (23-28); leaving Tjipamunpuk (29), following the beach to Tjiboebaloekan (= Tjibabaloekan) (fortnight’s stay); trip to Santiang (30). -1833. Santiang and environs (Raffesia patma!); from Tjiboebaloekan (Jan. 10) to Marocco; via I oblong to Tjigintang (11); seroepan (Jan. 15-March 2), visiting Garoet (Febr. 6), G. Papandajan crater (12), Pas(s)ir Kiamis (Kollelega) (16) and crater; foot G. Goentoer (March 3), Lake Bagendit (4), Trogon (5); Limbangan (8), Leles (9), Majalaya (11), Tjayunan (12); G. Boejong, stay at Tjilantjang (18 onwards), N. slope G. Simpang (20), G. Simpang Fall, etc.; to Bandoeng (Apr. 21) Tjipaganti (22), Wanakarta (24), to Telaga Bodas (29) via Sagranten; Garoet (May 6); G. Telaga Bodas (7), visit to the crater (10, 12-15), G. Tjandawartha (18); Garoet (20), Telaga Bodas (21), Tjisankan (22); Leles (26), Bandoeng (27), Tj(i)andjo(e)r and Buitenzorg (28); to Batavia (31), embarking (June 3) for Sumatra West Coast⁵ with S. Müller, v. Oort and v. Gelder: Padang (20), setting out (23) to Oelakan and Ambadjang (24); Priaman (25-26), Passer Koedoe (27), Malela (28-29); stay at Fort de Kock (from June 30 onwards), trips to Bierro (July 4), Tjandong (5), de Kloof (11), cave and Kaman (14), etc., fort Boekit Kandiki (Tanjong Allam) (17-21), some trips, collectors to G. Myrapi (= Marapi) (20); to Paggeroedjoeng (22), excursion to Boekit Bessie (23), and in northern direction (24); proceeding (25) to Pamawang, exploring the environs (26-27); to kotta Semawang (28), visits to Talagabanta, Tambang dalam mine (in Boekit tiga banta), Dano Semawang (30); to Tambangang (31); to Kajoetanam (Aug. 1) and proceeding to Padang (2); to Boengoes Bay (29), S of Padang, partly by boat; to Loeboealon (Sept. 12); to Kajoetanam (13), Djalan djawie (14); stay at Goenong, exploration of Djalan boekit Toedjoe (16) and to Kajoetanam; return to Goenong via the Ambadjang (17), Tambangan (19), Goegoek Si(e)gandang (20); Fort de Kock (21-23), visit to Panta (23); back to Siegandang (23); via Boekit Serongang and the valley of the Batang Aver poeti (24), exploration of the Ané Valley, Bazar (= ? Pasar) Koeban, and to Kajoetanam (25); P. Koeban (29); back to Goegoer Siegandang (30); to Fort de Kock (Oct. 1) and proceeding to Pantar; back to Fort de Kock (2); to Padang (4), stay at Tambangan, collecting till Oct. 26, after that date much illness of Korthals and the Indonesian collectors.-1834. Padang; to Paauw (Jan. 22); to Loeboe Kelangan (27-28) and back to Paauw; trip to Limong manies (Febr. 17); Febr. 25 for some time to Padang bessie; ill at Padang (March 4-Apr.); setting out (Apr. 23) to the Padangsche Bovenlanden (Highlands), 1st day to Doekoe; to Loeboe allong (= Loeboekaloeng) (24), Kajoetanam (25); Goegoek Si(n)gandang (26-May 13), making several trips to G. Myrapi (= Marapi), to Boekit Tingi, etc.; to Batang Singalang (May 14) for some time, excursions to the banks of the Ané River etc.; Padang (June 25-July 16); Batang Singalang (July 18-Aug. 26); to Fort van der Capellen (27); to 50 kotta’s (30) following a road E of Tandjong Alam; Pajokombo (31), Fort Veldman (Sept. 2), Fort van den Bosch, Goegoe Ganting (3), Fort Raaf (5-6); to Boa Penyan (7), summit of the Marapalm (8); Padang (Sept. 10-Oct. 16); back to Batang Singalang (Oct. 17), trips in the environs; to Padang Pandjang (30); to Fort van der Capellen (Nov. 7), Soeroeasso (= Saroeaso) (10); G. Myrapi (= Marapi) and crater (11-15); descent (16) to Fort van der Capellen; to Padang Pandjang (20); via Goegoet Si(n)gandang to Fort de Kock (22); to Matoea (23); Meninjoe (= Manindjau) Lake (24), 10 kotta’s; back to Matoea and Fort de Kock (25); to Pajokombo (27); back at Padang (Dec. 2).⁶-1835. Padang; to Padang Bessie (Jan. 11); to Padang (Febr. 19); to Padang Bessie (24); to Padang (March 8); to the Melintang Mts (Apr. 5-17, May 6-27), at Padang (Apr. 18-May 5); to Padang (May 28); by boat to the south (June 29), visit to Poeloe Mara(k); on land between Boengoes and Indrapoera, stay at Pemang, and exploration of Tjinko Isl.; trips to Tambang (July 8) (gold-mine from the time of the E.I.C.), Tjinko (10), etc.; by boat (11) to Indrapoera,⁷ stay at Pas(s)ir Gaming (12-30), and trips to the Salaut River (21), Ayer Batang (23), etc.; by boat (31) via P. Tjinko (Aug. 3) to Padang (4); to Padang Bessie (Sept. 7) for a longer stay; trip to the foot of G. Melintang (8); Oct. 1 return to Padang; trips to Ayer manis, G. Padang, etc.; to Oedjoeng Karang (Nov. 1),exploration of the environs. G. Nangalau (9), etc.; to Doekoe (28), exploration of the environs; to Padang (Dec. 17).⁸ He is cited as a collector on P. Pisang⁹ on an unknown date(possibly in fact collected by Horner, see there). -1836. By boat (Jan. 9) to S. Sumatra: Rat Island (P. Tikoes) (14), Benkoelen (15-22); and proceeding to Java; W. Java: Batavia (28): to Buitenzorg (Febr. 5); to Padjet (= Patjet) (May 9) and to G. Gédé with Horner & S. Müller:¹⁰ from Tjimadjan (10) to Kandang Badak; crater rim and Aloen Aloen (11); crater (12); to Batavia (July 6), embarking for Borneo (10); SE. Borneo with Horner & S. Müller: Ban(d)jermas(s)in(g) (28); to Martapoera (Aug. 6) by boat, returning the 8th; upstream the Doesoen or Barito River via Marabahan (20), Rantouw Boebaai and Palankau (22), Kwala Pattay (= Patai) (24-25) and lakes in the vicinity, Kwala Poenin (26), Lake Kambat (27), Tandjong petong (28), lakes in the vicinity (29-30), Telioek (31), Poeloe betjabang (Sept. 1), Telok betong and Lake Lomoeto (2), Mampon and Tan(d)jo(e)ng Java (= Djawa) (3), Marawan and G. Raman (alt. less than 150 ft) (4), Terossan and Mantalet (= Montalat) (5), Si(e)kan and Loenjau (6), Tawan (8), Lanan and Loentoentoer (9); S. Tewe (10), Jammoet (I1), Pilas and downstream the Tewe (12); back at Loentoentoer (13); Prarawin Mts (new genus Prarawinia) and Lanan (l4); Tawan, Loenjau and Siekan (15); Mantalet (= Montalat), Troessan, G. Rantau, Marawan, Tanjong Java (16); vicinity of Tanjong Java (17); Dano kalakidn (= ? Kalahin), ? Talia (= ? Talioe) (18); Tanjong Petong, Moara Karrau (= S. Karau) and Lake Lampoer (19); Moara (= S.) Poenin, Pattay (= Patai) (22); Danau Horong, Padang Balangeran, Hamaban (23); Pamingir (25); S. Harimon, S. Kambé, etc., Tanjong Benawa (26), S. Ninjaman; via Maraban returning to Banjer (= Bandjermasin) (Oct. l);¹¹ to Martapoera (14); to Oedjoeng Moerong (20); Tanah La(w)oet Lands: Padang Goenoeng Koepang, G. Pamatton (21), staying some days and visiting the summit (22); to Apat (24) on the S. Riam Kanan and proceeding to Riam Arinawa and Batoe boeloe; Apat (25), Martaraman (26), Martapoera (27); Indonesian collectors on G. Tirin near G. Lawak; to Bandjermasin (Nov. 1); by boat (5) to Martapoera; via Oedjoeng Moerong to Banjawiran on G. Pamatton, G. Lawak and Tjambé (7); Padang Pantan, Padang Oedjoeng, Padang Bonjo, Poeloe Sampé (8); Pati Pati (= Batibati) (9), Bassan (10), G. Sakoembang (11); Bt Tampoeran, Padang Kataman, Hapoetoet, Blimbing, Melantong, Haballang (13); Batoe-Betjantan, Haballang River, S. Tandoei, climbing a ridge (14); foot of the Kamokus, and back to Batoe-Betjantan (15); back to Haballang (16); along S. Naman to G. Pamatton in Balaran (19); from Haballang to Palei-ari (= Pelaihari) and Panjeratan (21); to Taboniau or Taboenjau (= Tabanio) on the coast, and back to Panjeratan (22); to Poeloe Lampei by way of Padang Loear and Padang ? Bassor (23); environs Poeloe Lampei: Padang Petjakan (29), Poeloe beroeang, etc.; from Poeloe Lampei (30) downstream the Kaboenjan and back to Bandjermasin;¹² leaving Borneo by boat (16); Sabangon (22), passing Kottaringin (25); on land on P. Talango (Sapoedi Isls, E of Madoera) (30), visit to kp. Baroen and G. Moengo.-1837. Madoera: Kileangat (= Kaliangat) and Maringin (= Marengan) (Jan. 2); Madoera Straits; anchoring in the roads of Soerabaja (8); journeying by land along the north coast of E. Java: via Grissee, Manjer, Sidayo, Pantjang, Sentol, Genting, Toeban (17), Tambak raja, Goeloe, Sarang, Talang; Centr. Java: Lassem, Rembang (18); proceeding to Tressie, Mahoenan, Pati, Pojampo, Tjikoela, Koedoes, Jedo, Demak, Semarang (19); the 21st via Toegoe, Kandal (= Kendal), Wilerie (= Weleri), Gombong, Pekalongan; from Pamalang (22) to Tagal; via Limbangan to W. Java: Cheribon (23); via Gempoel, Tjikeroe, P. Batoeroejoek to Priangan Regencies, Sumedang (24); Bandoeng (25); via Tjimahi, Pad(d)alarang, Tjipatat, to Tjiandjo(e)r; to Buitenzorg (27); Apr. 3 last visit to the Botanic Gardens and in the evening with S. Müller to Batavia; sailing for Holland (Apr. 12), via Sunda Straits, the Cape, St Helena (some trips); at Hellevoetsluis (Aug. 21).

collections:

Bequeathed to Herb. Leiden [L]: > 5816 nos¹³ and material in alcohol; some duplicates in Herb. Bog. [BO], Utrecht [U], Groningen [now in L], Berl. [B] (Sumatra & Borneo), N.Y. Bat. Gard. [NY], Vienna [W] (orchids from Borneo with Herb. Reichenbach), Manila [PNH], Munich [M], Bot. Gard. St Petersburg (= Leningrad [LE]); Herb. Caen [CN]; Herb. Copenhagen [C] (Sumatra, Java, Borneo); Herb. Martius (= Brussels [BR]); Herb. State Mus. Stockholm [S].

When returning to Holland in 1837 he brought home a large amount of seeds, fruits, and plants for Hort. Lugd. Bat. (Leiden).

Numerous unpublished plates from Java and elsewhere, made by his draughtsman F. Fievez dit Malines and others, in Herb. Leiden [L].

literature:

(1) cf. unpublished Diary (July 1831-Aug. 1837) in Herb. Leiden.

(2) cf. Sirks, Indisch Natuuronderzoek, Amsterdam 1915, p. 117.

(3) cf. Flora 23², 1840, p. 458.

(4) P.W. Korthals: ‘Waarnemingen aangaande den berg Gede op Java’ (Ned. Kruidk. Arch. 1, 1848, p. 117-133).

(5) P.W. Korthals: ‘Geognostische opmerkingen op eene reis in July 1833 (in de Padangsche Bovenlanden)’ (Tijdschr. Nat. Gesch. & Physiol. 1, 1834, p. 190-192); and cf. Extract from a letter to Blume (l.c. p. 290-294).

(6) cf. S. Müller: ‘Berigten over Sumatra’ (De Gids, afd. Wetensch. Bijdr. 1837, p. 1-35); cf. also sub 7.

(7) cf. Extracts from letters in Tijdschr. Nat. Gesch. & Physiol. 3, 1836, p. 7-15.

(8) Other papers relating to Sumatra by Korthals are: ‘Aanteekeningen over de vijftig kotta’s in de Padangsche bovenlanden’ (Tijdschr. Nat. Gesch. & Physiol. 2, 1835, p. 6-26); ‘Topographische schets van een gedeelte van Sumatra’ (Leiden 1847, w. profile-map); ‘Coup d’oeil sur la constitution physique et la végétation d’une partie de d’Île de Sumatra’ (Le Moniteur 1, 1846/47, p. 205); ‘Blik op de natuurlijke gesteldheid en vegetatie van een gedeelte van Sumatra’ (Ned. Kruidk. Arch. 1, 1848, p. 58-83).

van Oort & Korthals S: ‘Verslag van eenen togt van Padang naar de Boengas en Setans of houtbaaijen’ (Tijdschr. Neêrl. Ind. 4¹, 1842, p. 451-461 ; no dates mentioned!).

cf. also MSS and letters in Herb. Leiden.

(9) cf. Miquel, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd. Bat. 3, p. 263.

(10) cf. Verh. Bat. Gen. K. & W. 17, 1839, p. 3.

(11) cf. Extract from a letter in Alg. Konst- en Letterbode 1837¹, p. 387-393.

(12) cf. ditto in l.c. 18372, p. 244-249.

cf. also Tijdschr. Nat. Gesch. & Physiol. 3, 1836, Boekbeschr. en Lett. Ber. p. 192 and Ned. Kruidk. Arch. 1, 1846, p. 20-45 (‘Aanteekeningen over een gedeelte van Borneo’s Zuid-Oostkust etc.’).

Geological report in Verh. Bat. Gen. K. & W. 17, 1839, p. 89-119.

(13) MS. botanical notes in Herb. Leiden.

Many of his plants described in Korthals: ‘Kruidkunde’ (in C.J. Temminck: ‘Verhandelingen over de Natuurlijke Geschiedenis der Nederl. overzeesche bezittingen. Botanie’ 1839-44) p. 1-259, pl. 1-70.

Ferns from S. Borneo described in Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd. Bat. (1863-69) by Mettenius, Miquel, and Kuhn. Also other plants in Miquel Ann. l.c.

cf. also W.H. de Vriese in ‘Plantae indiae batavae orientalis quas, etc.’ (Lugd. Bat. 1856/57); and C.A.J.A. Oudemans in ‘Annotationes criticae in cupuliferas nonnullas javanicas’ (Amstelodami 1865, 12 pl.).

biographical data:

Pritzel, Thes. Lit. Bot., 1872; Encyclop. N.I. 2, 1918; Backer, Verkl. Woordenb., 1936; Ned. Kruidk. Arch. 49, 1939, p. 445; l.c. 50, 1940, p. 194.