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65.07.26hPreferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to the Editor of the Australasian, 1865-07-26 [65.07.26h]. 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/65-07-26h>, accessed September 11, 2025
1
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Notes and Queries', 'Specimens for
Professor Owen', Australasian, 29 July 1865, p. 9 (B65.07.20). See also M to R. Owen, 26 July 1865 (in this edition
as 65-07-26b).
Professor Owen, F.R.S., in a recent article on the Fecundation of the Monetremata (Proceedings of
the Royal Society of London, March 2, 1865),
requests that females of the platypus or duckmole (Ornithorrhychus
paradoxus) caught in October or November, and females of the porcupine-anteater (Echidna
hystrix) caught in July or August, may, for his examination, be preserved in strong spirits,
the abdomen being slit open to allow access of the preserving liquid to the inner
parts of the animal. Such specimens the great anatomist desires to be directed either
to the principal librarian of the British Museum; or to Dr. Geo. Bennett, of Sydney;
or to the undersigned,
2
Owen (1865a); see pp. 110-11 for the predicted dates for collecting suitable specimens.
3
O
rnithorhynchus
?
FERD. MUELLER.
Melbourne Botanic Garden, July 26.