Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M198, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 86.04.26

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Otto Tepper, 1886-04-26. 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/86-04-26>, accessed September 11, 2025

1
MS annotation by Tepper, '6.4.86'. Annotations of this kind appear to be from a later date, perhaps when Tepper was putting the letters he had received from M in chronological order preparatory to having them bound together, and generally give the date on which the letter was written. In this case, it would appear that Tepper miscalculated (see n. 2).
Ostermontag.
Gestern ging eine weitere Namensliste an Sie ab, geehrter Herr Tepper, heute früh kommt Ihr Brief vom 21 April. Gern will ich eine neue süd-austr. Pflanze gelegentlich nach Hon S. J. Way u nach Mr Thom. Smeaton benennen. Erstere ist schon von Prof Tate so geehrt.
Allerdings, jede Reise ist mit bedeutenden Ausgabe verbunden; ich selbst habe Tausende von £ aus meinen Privat mitteln im Lauf der Jahre verreist, da ich nie persönliche Reisen-Spesen zog u von 1847-1852 privat reiste auch manchmal später. Indessen eröffnete Ihre letzte Tour ja auch mehr das bedeutende Areal der K. Insel.
Wenn Sie wieder hingehen, würde ich rathen Luzerne Samen, Klee Samen, u den der besten Wiesengräser viel auszustreuen. Für Enchlaena ist es vielleicht auch warm genug. Lassen Sie Ihre Correspondenten jetzt einige Körnen dort säen, der Rest im Frühling.
Mr Brown hat mir bisher den jüngst in den Zeitungen besprochenen neuen Theil seiner Forst-Flora nicht gesandt.
Sie ehrend, und Ihnen Alles Gute wünschend
Ferd. von Mueller.
Da eine neue Staats-Anleihe von S.A. gemacht wird, sollte sich die dortige Bedrückung bald heben.
Easter Monday
2
The only year in the 1880s or 1890s in which Easter fell after 21 April is 1886, when it fell on 25 April. The letter is dated accordingly.
Yesterday a further list of names went off to you, esteemed Mr Tepper, this morning comes your letter of 21 April.
3
Letter not found.
I will gladly name a new South Australian plant after the Honourable S. J. Way and after Mr Thom. Smeaton when there is an opportunity. The former is already so honoured by Professor Tate.
4
Trymalium wayae had been named by Tate and M in B82.14.02, p. 80 and recombined by M as Cryptandra wayi in B83.03.04, p. 140, but no other species named by M in Way's honour has been found (APNI, accessed 12 January 2022). M named Lhotzkya smeatoniana in B87.01.02, p. 5.
Certainly every journey is combined with significant costs; I myself have journeyed away thousands of pounds from my private means over the years, since I never drew personal travel expenses and from 1847 to 1852 travelled privately, even later sometimes. Meanwhile your last tour certainly opened even more the important area of Kangaroo Island.
5
SA.
If you go there again, I would advise much scattering of lucerne seeds, clover seeds and those of the best pasture grasses. It is perhaps even warm enough for Enchlaena.
6
Enchylaena ?
Have your correspondents sow some seeds there now , the remainder in spring.
Up to now Mr Brown has not sent me the new part of his Forest Flora mentioned recently in the newspapers.
7
J. E. Brown (1883-90). Part 7 was mentioned in Argus, 2 April 1886, p. 5, as having 'just been issued'.
Respectfully and wishing you every good thing
Ferd. von Mueller.
Since a new state loan for South Australia has been made, the depression there should soon lift.
Enchlaena