Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 83.10.15

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Henry Watts to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1883-10-15. 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/83-10-15>, accessed September 11, 2025

No 20. Wellington Street
Collingwood
1
Suburb of Melbourne.
Oct 15 1883
Baron von Mueller
Dear sir/
I duly received your letter containing a list of names of the marine algae, you kindly sent to Sonder.
2
Letter not found.
I really regret that you lost your specimens; for the reason, that nearly all the specimens were cut into three portions, two of which you had, the other one I have still. I have devoted much time to see if I could send you other duplicates. I find that I am unable to do so, with the exception of Nos 10 & 6,
3
2 deleted in front of 6.
specimens of which are enclosed. I have not collected any marine algae now for some time, and as the summer is now coming on, I may take a day or two to collect some species of which I am very short. The missing number unnamed, perhaps can be named when you have Sonders collection ready for public inspection. It is hardly worth while to send one specimen to Agardh.
I should have been very much pleased if I could have received the names of the later collections of Fresh-water Algae . It is not satisfactory that this work should be left in the present state, and I often regret that your first proposition to me was not carried out, viz: — to work out the species here under your own supervision, and only the doubtful species sent to Europe.
4
'proposition' not found.
I have identified now over 30 species of Desmidae, and it is only that I cannot spare the time, or else I would proceed with the work.
I venture to trouble you with another remark, new to me, probably familiar to yourself, viz. the presence of Sphaeraphides in our Eucalypti. Very recently I was cutting a Section of fruit of ,
5
Eucalyptus calophylla?
and near the outer edge of the fruit was some beautiful crystals, which polarized splendidly. This section also presented spiral vessels. I have not your Eucalyptographia by me, or I would see if these "Sphaeraphides" are mentioned.
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M mentioned crystal structures in the bark of Eucalyptus globulus in Eucalyptographia, Decade 6 (B80.13.14), but did not state the type of inclusion.
Excuse my occupying your valuable time,
I remain
Yours obediently
Henry Watts