Document information

Physical location:

ML MSS.3608 Clarke papers, Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. 74.04.25

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Branwhite Clarke, 1874-04-25. 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/74-04-25>, accessed September 11, 2025

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MS envelope front: 'On Her Majesty's [Service] | Rev. W. B. Cl[arke] | M.A., F.Z.S., [...] | Northshore | Sydney', and 'Government Botanist , | Melbourne, 25. Apr 1874.' For a published version of this letter, see Moyal (2003), pp. 1029-30.
Melbourne
25/4/74.
The fossil just received from you, reverend & venerable friend, belongs to my genus Phymatocaryon (among
Sapindaceae

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). You will observe, that the fruit is valvular, which is not the case in
Santalum

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&
Fusanus

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. The species indeed comes very near Ph. MacKayi, so far as I can judge without sacrificing by dissection the only specimen.
I should think it likely that many specimens of this particular fruit will be found in the (tertiary?) drifts, to which after all probably the stratum belongs, in which it was imbedded.
Phymatocaryon MacKayi

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is as yet but found on one spot, but there in considerable quantity and accompanied by fruits of other genera, all of which proving new and described by me in the successive quarterly reports of our mining Department.
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B71.05.02; B71.08.01; B71.11.01; B73.11.01.
I will gladly work any such fruits out, if several specimens of each can be sent, so that the necessary dissections can be effected.
Your son, Major Clarke, I missed the day before yesterday,
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Mordaunt Clarke. See M to W. Clarke, 29 January 1874.
when calling for the gallant Officer at Menzies Hotel. I hope to see him next week.
I gave to some of the scientific men on Board of the Challenger & Arcona
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The British oceanographical research vessel, HMS Challenger , and the Prussian frigate Arcona were in Melbourne at the same time, and both left for Sydney at the beginning of April.
letters to you.
Trusting that you are well, I remain, rev. and dear friend, your ever regardful
Ferd von Mueller.
Please convey my best salutation to Mrs Cobham.
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Mary Cobham.