The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne botanic Garden. ¶ 24 June. 62. ¶ Dear Sir William ¶ ¶ I have received through the Colonial Office the valuable reports on your grand & unequalled establishment, have also noticed with much ...

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Physical location:

RBG Kew, Directors' letters, vol. LXXV, Australian and Pacific letters 1859-65, letter no. 152. 62.06.24c

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Hooker, 1862-06-24 [62.06.24c]. 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/62-06-24c>, accessed April 29, 2025

MS black edged; M's sister Bertha died on 7 September 1861. Annotated: 3 Ferns. 15. Nephrod. propinq. apex [only] | M[rs] Atkinson[s] Doodia caudata | N Zeald | Small Caudata.

Melbourne botanic Garden.

24 June. 62.

Dear Sir William

I have received through the Colonial Office the valuable reports on your grand & unequalled establishment, have also noticed with much grateful feelings the kind allusion you made to my own exertions.

M is mentioned in the following reports published before June 1862 (cited from the versions of the reports at Kew [RBG Kew, Kewensia, K1]]:

'Mueller, Dr. Ferd., Government Botanist, South Australia [sic]. — Seeds, plants, &c., also, a still more valuable collection, made during the exploring expedition across North Australia'. [Report of the Royal Gardens of Kew 1853-1859, p.45].

'Collections of great value have been received from the following Government expeditions: — ... From Dr. Mueller, large extra-tropical Australian collections.' (Report on Kew Gardens for 1860 [1934 typescript copy]).

'The most important step ... has been the commencement of a uniform series of inexpensive Colonial Floras, which are urgently required by colonists, manufacturers and travellers, as well as by scientific botanists, horticulturists, and amateurs ... In my Report for 1859 I stated that [they had been commenced with British West Indies (Grisebach); South Africa (Harvey and Sonder) and] Victoria, by Dr Mueller, which are largely aided by grants from the Colonial Departments. During the past year, the Flora of Hong Kong has been published at Kew, by Mr. Bentham ... The arrangements for a flora of the whole of Australia, by Mr. Bentham, have been completed by the united Governments of the Australian Colonies (thanks mainly to the exertions of the present Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly; and to the indefatigable researches of the distinguished Government Botanist at Melbourne, Dr. Mueller)' (Report on the Progress and Condition of the Royal Gardens at Kew, during the year 1861).

That the building for the growth of plants of the warmer temperate zone is so rapidly progressing must be a source of great pleasure to you, and I anticipate that it will be to this part of your horticultural department, to which my establishment will have in future principly to contribute.

Decimus Burton's Temperate House at Kew was commenced in 1859 and the central portion and the two adjacent octagons opened in May 1863; the south wing (1897) and north wing (1899) were added later. See Desmond (1995).

We have here now a good many Acaciae, Proteaceous plants & other native shrubs & trees in cultivation, which annually produce seeds & of which I could readily send you a supply, many of the species being evidently not in European gardens. I was so pleased to perceive, that the humble tribute of my admiration for your long & great labours in the cause of science & for the invaried kindness & generosity, which you bestow on everyone engaged in kindred pursuits,

Presumably the dedication in B62.03.03; Hooker's 'hearty reception' has not been found.

met with so hearty a reception from you.

I have written to the finder of the little silverscaled fern of Port Bowen, to supplement his specimens and whenever they arrive, I will at once detach them to you. I shall feel very proud to have my name attached to so lovely a production of our flora.

Gymnogramma muellerii was described by W. Hooker in W. Hooker (1846-64), vol. 5, p. 143, from collections made by Edward Bowman, 'received in 1862 from Dr. Mueller'.

I hope in the course of time, to obtain more ferns from the forests of N.E. Australia, but at present it is impossible to collect there, unless under the protection of a strong armed party.

May you retain vigour to prosecute your glorious work of elucidating all ferns. I feel convinced you will leave little to be done for future pteridographers of any time.

Ever my dear & venerable friend,

Yours regardfully

Ferd. Mueller.

I had some interesting reports on the Cinchona plantations from Sir W. Dennison.

Reports from Denison not found, but see W. Denison to W. Hooker, 23 June 1862, RBG Kew, Directors' correspondence, vol. 57, f. 41, in which Denison indicates that he will be sending some plants to M, and says that he will send a report to Kew.

I feel convinced, that in mountain regions of Queensland these trees would prosper.

Sir Will Jacks. Hooker K.H.

&c &c &c