Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Directors' letters, vol. LXXV, Australian and Pacific letters 1859-65, letter no. 169. 63.06.16

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Hooker, 1863-06-16. 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/63-06-16>, accessed May 16, 2025

Melbourne bot. Garden
16/6/63
My dear Sir William.
Having fully written to Mr Bentham on affairs, connected with the Australian flora,
1
Letter not found. M to G. Bentham, 22 June 1863 implies that a letter was written earlier in June, after the note of plants found damaged on return, i.e. after M to G. Bentham June 1863 (in this edition as 63-06-00b).
I merely beg to say, that I have forwarded in his Excellencys Despatchbag a few select ferns to you, obtained from Mr C. Moore. The most interesting seems to me a Trichomanes very distinct from T. venosum, the only continental Australian species, with which I am hitherto acquainted except T. venosum.
I have consulted your spec. filicum
2
W. Hooker (1846-64).
and cannot identify it with T. [m]eifolium or T. strictum or any other species of the category, to which it evidently belongs. It is curious, that this was the first plant, given to me when I met Mr Moore just coming from Illawarra, when I first had a personal interview with him in Sydney in 1855. He had then the plant living; it has since been fo[un]d by him in other places, and if you have an opportunity of publishing it soon, it will be well, as it is now in the hands of several botanists. I think it should bear Mr Moores name.
3
The name Trichomanes moorei has not been found (APNI, accessed 28 May 2020)
Could it not be introduced into the Bot. Magazine, as I will be answerable to send living plants to you along with Gymnogramm[e]? Muelleri.
Cases of
Acacia

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e &c are sent to you pr Roxburgh Castle & Anglesey , and ferns &c pr Great Britain ; I will keep up briskly these consignments, if I remain well.
There are I think yet several of my Wardian Cases at Kew, and altho' with exception of the
Araucaria

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e little arrived alife, I have no doubt you took the will for the deed. May I therefore ask you to let me have one or two cases back refilled with any treasures you can readily spare and which are readily multiplied. Ourcollection of
Gesneriaceae

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,
Cactaceae

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,
Begonieae

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and epiphytal
Orchideae

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is anything but rich and the impatient and stirring people here require always something new to be satisfied with our conservatory. I will in turn do all I can for you and await expressions of your special wishes.
Ever yours with sincerest regards
Ferd. Mueller.
I have so long wished to possess your portrait? Now as my intended journey to Europe is indefinitely postponed, I venture to ask to supply me with a picture of yours, photographic or otherwise; for we do not know how long we may remain coëtans, especially as my health is fluctuating and the pleasure of contemplating the picture of a noble man, to whom I owe so much, may be a brief one.
Ever yours
Ferd Mueller