Document information

Physical location:

A251 Gunn correspondence, Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. 55.06.12

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Ronald Gunn, 1855-06-12. 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/55-06-12>, accessed May 20, 2024

Melbourne, 70. Collin Street East.
12. June 1855.
My dear Sir
I beg to transmit to you by the same vessel, which brought your obligingly forwarded books, the four first volumes and suppl I of Kunth's enumeratio,
1
Kunth (1833-50).
which I have in duplo, wishing they may be wanting to your fine library and that you will accept them from me as a slight token of my respect for you. I wished I had the fift also for you, which concludes the work, unless there should be some posthumous writings of Kunth appear yet. Your books have been equally a source to me of delight and instruction, and I have to thank you most heartily for your resolute attention to my desire, as you thus enabled me, to alter a few names of my plants as also to convince me, that most of my last alpine plants are as distinct from those of Tasmania as from those of N. Zeal and the antarctic island. What an admirable worker Dr Hooker is, and what a splendid work may we expect from him on the Tasmanian flora
2
J. Hooker (1860), of which the first fascicle was issued in October 1855.
after so much information and communication of your own, and after this long experience amongst Australian plants.
3
See also M to R. Gunn, 20 May 1855.
— The pamphlets I received equally thankfully and when using them on my journey I shall always think of you.
I[n]
4
editorial addition — obscured by binding.
about a week or say the utmost in two weeks I shall restore the volumes to you with my best thanks; and should the scientific societies here have by that time published more of their transactions it will give me the greatest pleasure to send them.
With regard to your very considerable observation on Hutchinsia I beg leave to remark, that I am sure, the genus as comprising Pleurorrhizae and Nothorrhizae must fall entirely to the ground half the species belong to Capsella ! and Dr Hookers
Stenopetalum incisifolium

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is one of them, and the other half into
Thlaspi

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I am very sorry to be unacquainted with Hutch. Tasmanica, for it may be my
Capsella antipoda

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from Mount Alexander.
5
M published
Capsella antipoda

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in B55.09.02, p. 34; p. 44, he linked it with Hooker's H. tasmanica in B62.03.03, p. 44, though without referring to his earlier publication of the name.
Capsella Australasica

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(Stenopet. incisifol.) is here a coast plant and C. pilosula grows in the desert. I regret much that I was not aware at the time of publishing my first report,
6
B53.10.01.
that
Myosurus

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occurred also in N.Z.
Erigeron pappochroma

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passed into Haplopappus (as you expected); we have a true Erigeron (if I not err) and also
Haplopappus bellidioides

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& Gunnii in this alps. Your advice is a very good one, to have copies [...]
7
illegible — obscured by binding.
of separately of my botanic papers. For this time it is too late to do so, but I have applied for permission to the Council of the Society's with regard to those papers which I am sending now.
I was most anxiously awaiting Mr Archer, having a parcel of plants ready for Sir Will Hooker, which I hoped he would take with him.
8
William Archer was leaving on an extended visit to England.
Most thankful I shall be to Dr Milligan for his Endlich. genera;
9
Endlicher (1836-40); see M to R. Gunn, 20 May 1855.
I will instantly send the amount for it and am so anxious to take the book on my next journey for which I am now preparing.
I am exceedingly sorry for all the trouble which I have given you, and most deeply obliged to you for your kindful comply to all my wishes. Nothing will give me greater pleasure as to serve you again, wherever an opportunity may be given by you.
Believe me to be your most attached servant
Ferd. Mueller.
R. Gunn Esq.
&c&c&c
I hope Dr Milligan will give me some information on Orites Milligani
10
See M to R. Gunn, 20 May 1855.