Ferdinand von Mueller

Down Bromley Kent

December 8th [1857]

1

editorial addition. Dated by the editors of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin by comparison with a letter from J. Hooker to Darwin in which he suggests that Darwin quickly contact M, 'a good active Botanist', who was expected to go to England in 1859. See Burkhardt et al., (1985- ), vol. 6, p. 501.

Dear Sir

Sir William & Dr. Hooker have told me that I might use their names as an introduction to you. I do not know whether my name is known to you; but I have so often heard of interesting Botanical facts of your discovery, from Dr Hooker, that I feel as if I had been introduced to you.

2

For example, J. Hooker, 'on the faith of Dr Ferd. Mueller Govt Bot. of Victoria an able botanist', included some data concerning European plant species found in the Australian Alps. See J. Hooker to C. Darwin, 10 July 1856, in Burkhardt et al., (1985- ), vol. 6, pp. 175-7; see p. 176.

I am very anxious for a piece of information which possibly you may be able to give me. It is whether very many British or north-European perennial plants can withstand, living and seeding under the climate of S. Australia. — I presuppose that the plants are kept in a well weeded garden, free from the intrusion of native vegetation. They might be supposed to be watered in very dry weather; my point being whether they would withstand heat, & perfect their seeds. I presume all S. European plants would succeed well; but I want to know whether the greater number of British or still more north-ranging plants could survive & seed. — If you would answer me this question even approximately, & would take the trouble to write to me I shd be very much obliged . — I believe there a good many British naturalized plants in S. Australia; (Have you ever enumerated them?) & this of course answers my questions most fully as far as they are concerned, even under conditions not the most favourable, as they have to struggle with the native vegetation. —

With apologies for troubling you, & with much respect, I beg leave to remain