Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1871-81, ff. 141-2. 74.03.21

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to George Bentham, 1874-03-21. 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/74-03-21>, accessed September 11, 2025

Melbourne
21/3/74.
Since I last wrote to you, dear Mr Bentham, I have been to the Gellibrand-River, west of Cape Otway, where I obtained many new localities for rare plants, and discovered as new for Victoria the
Dicksonia davallioides

Search for Dicksonia davallioides in

(on the Johanna-River), also
Ehrharta distichophylla

Search for Ehrharta distichophylla in

. I had two most narrow escapes from snakebites.
Sonchus maritimus

Search for Sonchus maritimus in

was also found and a few other plants, not yet recorded as introduced. Novelties I could hardly expect to gain, as I was on a more eastern (but not very distant) route to Cape Otway in 1857.
My position has as yet in no way improved. I am still with only £300 working expenses for the whole Department & without buildings. The rent for the latter in this expensive country would alone absorb[e] the £300.
Simultaneously with the Prussian Fregatte Arcona has arrived the "Challenger", which has given me the pleasureable opportunity of becoming acquainted with Prof. Wyville Thomson and Mr Moseley & my special countryman (from Schleswig) Dr von Wilemoes-Suhm.
1
R. von Willemoes-Suhm.
The Challenger will be only here for two weeks, one of which is elapsed. What little in so short a space of time can be done for these excellent men & others, shall be done. I met also Prof. Balfour's son, a marine officer on board of the Challenger.
2
In his journal Andrew Balfour noted that 'Baron von Mueller called on me as requested to do by the governor he seems decidedly cranky' (Royal Geographical Society, Archives, LBR. MSS. no. 1: 'Private Journal HMS Challenger from 12th September 1873 to 16th September 1874. Andrew F Balfour'). By ‘the governor’, Balfour presumably meant his father, the Edinburgh botanist J. H. Balfour. See also M to J. Balfour, 25 March 1874 (in this edition as 74-03-25a), and M to J. Balfour, 18 April 1874.
I have not heard of you by the last two mails, but trust that you passed in your usual health through the winter.
Regardfully yr
Ferd. von Mueller.
I have found on Mount Emu in a small pond a
Wolffia

Search for Wolffia in

, which I have sent to Dr Hegelmaier for identification or description
3
Wolffia

Search for Wolffia in

arrhiza var. australiana was described in Bentham (1863-78), vol. 7, p. 162 from material collected by M at Emu Creek. See also B74.07.01, pp. 187-8.
25/3/74
Will you kindly support the election of the Chevaliér Will. H. Archer, our Registrar General & also President of the Microscopic Society of Victoria as a FLS. Mr Kippist has a remittance of £7 already sent him by this mail through the Bank of Australasia in London obtainable
4
A nomination certificate for Archer, signed by M 'by letter', Joseph Hooker and George Bentham was read on 4 June 1874, and he was elected at the meeting of 5 November 1874 (Linnean Society, London, Certificates of Fellows, Foreign Members and Associates, 1871-76). The certificate is annotated 'Notice sent via Southtn [&] Pt. d. Galle Nov. 18/74'.