The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ Melbourne botan. ¶ ¶ Garden, 22 Jun. 1863. ¶ Dear Sir. ¶ ¶ Since writing to you an other letter, ¶ forwarded by this mail, I had the pleasure of receiving your kind lines, which accompanied the ...

Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1858-70, ff. 104-6. 63.06.22

Plant names

Acacia Sentis
Search for Acacia Sentis in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Acacia argyrophylla
Search for Acacia argyrophylla in
Acacia decora
Search for Acacia decora in
Acacia dictyocarpa
Search for Acacia dictyocarpa in
Acacia salicina
Search for Acacia salicina in
Acacia sect Armatae
Search for Acacia sect Armatae in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Acradenia
Search for Acradenia in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Asterolasia
Search for Asterolasia in
Bergia tripetala
Search for Bergia tripetala in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Boronia
Search for Boronia in
Boronia sect Dimorphanthera
Search for Boronia sect Dimorphanthera in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Boronieae
Search for Boronieae in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Bracychiton Gregorii
Search for Bracychiton Gregorii in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Bracychiton populneum
Search for Bracychiton populneum in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Correa
Search for Correa in
Crowea
Search for Crowea in
Delabechea
Search for Delabechea in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Diosmeae
Search for Diosmeae in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Diplolaena
Search for Diplolaena in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Drummondita
Search for Drummondita in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Eriostemon Ralstonii
Search for Eriostemon Ralstonii in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Geijera
Search for Geijera in
Geleznowia
Search for Geleznowia in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Lycium Australe
Search for Lycium Australe in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Microcybe
Search for Microcybe in
Nematolepis Euphemiae
Search for Nematolepis Euphemiae in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Nitraria Schoberii
Search for Nitraria Schoberii in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Phebalium
Search for Phebalium in
Philotheca
Search for Philotheca in
Sida calyxhymenia
Search for Sida calyxhymenia in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Xanthoxyleae
Search for Xanthoxyleae in
- This website
- Australian Plant Name Index
Zieria
Search for Zieria in

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to George Bentham, 1863-06-22. 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/63-06-22>, accessed April 19, 2025

Melbourne botan.

Garden, 22 Jun. 1863.

Dear Sir.

Since writing to you an other letter,

Letter not found.

forwarded by this mail, I had the pleasure of receiving your kind lines, which accompanied the 12 proofsheets

M is discussing species in Rutaceae, Stenculiaceae and Malvaceae, which are in gatherings O to Z, pp. 193–352, of Bentham (1863-78), vol. 1. In his discussion of the number of genera needed in the Rutaceae, M refers to genera treated in later sheets, e.g. and .

of your work on Australian plants.

Flora australiensis, i.e. Bentham (1863-78).

I have with great interest looked over the latter and am gratified seing the work advance with such rapidity. As it cannot be otherwise, than that some discrepancy of opinion should exist between us on some plants, I have hurriedly noted down some remarks, which suggested themselfes to me when I read your pages. I did send by last mail likewise some memoranda, on what then was forwarded to me, and anticipate that these will be not unwelcome to you for consideration, when supplements have to be given. Most forcibly was I struck with the circumstance, that you uphold , as it would appear to me mainly on its character of aestivation, whilst in the neighbouring genus you regard that character only of sectional value. I was perhaps wrong in abolishing , but I think logically I should then have been obliged to elevate my section Dimorphanthera of (pl. Vict. 110) to generic rank. You have shared this disinclination, but have on the other hand retained as distinct from . That the length of the beards of the anthers in varies seems to me sufficient ground to leave only as a section of Eriostemon. In considering I thought the proportionate length of the sepals was of no avail for a generic mark, when it did not hold good in . If Nematolepis is to be kept up as a genus I feel convinced that my N. Euphemiae belongs to it. The artist

Plate XXV by Schoenfeld was published in B63.04.01.

has not very well expressed the bearded scales on the filaments in the plant, furnished for the 3. vol. of the Fragmenta. They are however present, as you will observe from my description, and the corolla is quite as much gamopetalous as in the typical admitted species. But it is quite an other question, whether Nematolepis should not form a section of Eriostemon, since we have in a considerably lengthened corolla. As regards , I am not inclined to attach so much importance to the length of the stigmas, as this is a variable note in , irrespective of the great variety of forms of stigmas in . The calyx of some Astrolasiae is quite as much developed as in some Eriostemons, and it seems to me, that if in that genus a reduction of carpels is admissable, cannot stand as a genus upon that note. I verily believe, that for practical working the following genera are quite sufficient: , , , , , Nematolepis?, ?, Eriostemon, . — has however the broad cotyledons of the , and can not be consociated with the . — Nevertheless genera are not established in nature, as well demonstrate; hence I respect always the individual opinions of others, even of much less high authority as your own. That I cannot see the possibility of abolishing with justice Bracychiton I have said before. An important oversight of marked charcters is that of B. Gregorii. It has the small pods of , and is in no way closely allied to B. populneum

populneus?

— the latter is moreover absolutely restricted to the east part of the country, the other to the western; both are hardly tropical rather extra- or subtropical; and the tropical species alone range from East to West. — proves to be perennial. It is found at Coopers Creek: vide report on Howitts plants.

B63.05.01.

. To this belongs Dampiers figure.

Dampier (1729); the species is illustrated on tab. 3, figure 2 included with the chapter 'Account of several plants …'.

The identification of Nitraria Schoberi[i] is interesting, Now probably the will also be identified with a mediterranean species. The careful ordination of the synonym, by you effected, is a most important & lastingly useful work & now we learn what actually is known of the flora and can in future with ease insert new species. For many acts of generosity shown by you in these pages I have to express my cordial thank[s]. By this mail I send two sheets of the flora of Vict on Acaciae and more is under press.

Only five sheets were ever printed; see B63.13.06.

I find the work of establishing diagnoses, which will stand the future field-tests very difficult in Acaciae, altho' this does not for a moment shake my persuasion of stability of species. We have as yet too imperfect material before,

us omitted?

to judge of the precise limits of each specific form When I commenced publishing the Acaciae, our carpological specimens were mislaid; they have since been found and I have in pencil added notes. A. Sentis can certainly not be identified with A. decora, if we have no further evidence than Reichenbachs plate, which I have repeatedly & carefully consulted. His is not likely a desert species. But should this plant not be placed into Armatae? The funicles appear to furnish excellent characters of the species. A. salicina grows certainly in W. Australia also. Are not the stipules always present in Acaciae when young, altho' in a diminutive state?

I am just packing case N. 13 for the Roxburgh Castle Case N. 12 went pr Anglesey. The consignments are Acaciae, and one or two boxes more will have to be sent, before this genus is done. With the British Material before you, you will now no doubt effect large reductions in the species.

Ever yours with

Kindest regards

Ferd. Mueller

and A. dictyocarpa are identical