Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1858-70, f. 273. 67.07.27a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1867-07-27 [67.07.27a]. 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/67-07-27a>, accessed September 11, 2025

Queenscliff
1
Vic.
27/7/67
I date this from the coast, dear Dr Hooker, where I went, after never having left the department for six years , to endeavour to regain strength in rural tranquillity & under oceanic breezes.
Could not the Rev. Mr Berkeley adress to me a letter, setting forth his views on a publication of the Fungi of Australia. I will submit such proposal then gladly to our Government.
What a pity, that such an excellent man cannot devote his time solely to Mycology. But few of us are in the happy independence of the good Mr Bentham, on whom it reflects all the more credit, that he without need works away so luminously at late days of life. I have scarcely other days but Sundays for literary work & as the Garden is open after 1 p.m., I seldom have even that afternoon to myself. [D'Urvillea] potatorum is here common. I will ascertain the percentage of its Bromine & Iodine.
2
D. potatorum is one of the kelps, species of which are traditional sources of iodine. For the results of the analysis and a comparison with data from European algae, see B69.07.03, p. 15.
Poor Sonder with a large family to provide for has but little time for phytographic work, but the best will . Of our lamented Harvey he speaks always in the highest terms.
Should my illness increase I must ask you & Mr Bentham to write to my confidential horticultural assistant, E. B. Heyne esq.
Do you want a stem of
Dicksonia antarctica

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50 years old & about 16 feet high for your Conservatory? It travels much better than
Alsophila

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or indeed any other treefern, as far as my experience goes, & it is the hardiest of all.
Ever yr Ferd Mueller
I am very weak indeed
Best thanks for the seeds of
Dactylis caespitosa

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I packed a box full of
Epacrideae

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before I went
3
E. Heyne despatched a box per Sussex on 3 August 1867 (RB MSS M44, M notebook recording despatch of plants for Bentham for Flora australiensis. RBG Melbourne).
Capt Smith sends his best regards
4
Alexander J. Smith, Purser's Mate on Erebus during Ross's Antarctic expedition, 1839-43.
We had not adequate fund granted for a proper display of our colonial resources at Paris & the intercolonial Exhibition
5
See M to J. Hooker, 25 July 1867. Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1867; Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia, Melbourne, 1866-7.
took away the time.