Ferdinand von Mueller

4/3/84.

In reply to your kind letter of the 3 Jan.,

1

Letter not found.

honored Sir, I beg to say, that no new portion of the Fragmenta has appeared; but I intend to translate the descriptions of the new plants, given in 1883 through several Journals, soon for the 12. vol. of the Fragm.

2

The promised publication never appeared.

The publication of the American Edition of the "select plants for industrial culture" the sixth edition in the English language (Melbourne, Calcutta, Sydney &c) and other litterary work has prevented me from continueing the Fragmenta. The various "Exhibitions" (Expositions) Amsterdam, Calcutta &c

3

Internationale Koloniale en Uitvoerhandel Tentoonstelling, Amsterdam, 1883; International Exhibition, Calcutta, 1883-4; Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition, Melbourne, 1884.

have also taken up much of my time.

The whole civilized world has as much interest in the monographiae

4

A. de Candolle & C. de Candolle (1878-96).

as in the "prodromus";

5

A. P. de Candolle (1823-73).

and if you sent to each Government a Circular , asking for a subsidy by subscribing for a number of copies, you would have more fund at command, the monographiae could proceed with more celerity , as the printer could add specially for the purpose to his establishment. It is much to be regretted, that such grand, cosmopolitan publication did hitherto not get the status of an international one, to which each Government should give a proportionate extra - support . As the present arrangements are, it must take half a century , to finish the monographiae.

It was not my intention to offer the descriptions of the Myoporinae to the Monographiae and to publish the Atlas without text; the descriptions in the Atlas will be in English ;

6

Only the lithograms were ever published of M's Description and illustrations of the myoporinous plants of Australia; see B86.08.05.

but if you approved of it, the diagnoses could appear previously in the monographiae, of course in the latin language. I have always purchased a copy of the monographiae for the Departmental library, retaining the graciously sent copy from you for my private Library.