Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

19 May 1880.

The graceful manner, dear Sir Redmond, in which you recognize my transfer of the imperial gift to your celebrated & rich Institution, is most cheering to me.

1

See R. Barry to M, 19 May 1880 (in this edition as 80-05-19a).

But where could this splendid volume be better located than among the literary treasures, which under your principal direction have accumulated? I feel also gratified with the Confidence of the Trustees of the public Library, in desiring me to aid in selecting additional works on plants.

2

See R. Barry to M, 19 May 1880.

I have not any supplemental Catalogues of the Library since a very long time, and if still a full series of indices is available, I should be glad to have them, as really I am not fully aware of the extent of botanic works now in the library.

As a small Addendum to any sendings of the trustees abroad, I beg to send 25 copies of my index of the plants of Linne's first edition of the species.

3

B80.04.04.

It will prove useful in Libraries, where that rare book is not exstant. This index was issued on my private expense. I can also present still some copies of my enlarged English Edition of Wittstein's Chemistry of plants,

4

Wittstein (1878), i.e. B78.06.09.

should the trustees have use for them.

His Honor Sir Redmond Barry,

5

The remainder of the address has been cut off by the binding.

MS annotation: '[…] letter of the 19th I beg leave to say that the Trustees gratefully accept your offer of copies of the works you name & thank you for this additional Instance of your generous disposition towards the Library. I beg of you to believe me

'The accompanying monograph. Is the latest published — a new & complete Catalogue down to 1880 is in the press. I am &c.' See R. Barry to M, 20 May 1880 (in this edition as 80-05-20b).