Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1882-90, ff. 220-1. 87.03.16a

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Thiselton-Dyer, 1887-03-16 [87.03.16a]. 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/87-03-16a>, accessed May 5, 2025

1
Stamped Royal Gardens Kew 2. May. 1887; Annotated in ink by J. Baker: Selaginella sent from Endeavour River [Coll.] Persieh is [pron]iflora Baker JGB, and in pencil by W. Thiselton-Dyer And 4.5.87 [letter not found] .
16/3/87.
If I do not write much, dear Mr Dyer, you will know, it is not from want of attachment to Kew, but by the force of overwhelming work. The "Key" is still far from completion, and daily duties of routine are always heavy anyhow. Yesterday I gave evidence on "forests" before a parliamentary Commission.
2
Argus, 16 March 1887, p. 9, col. 6; see Frost & S. Harvey (1997).
Forest-affairs look very gloomy for the next century anywhere in readily accessible regions.
I greet with delight your Bulletin!
3
The first part of Kew's Bulletin of miscellaneous information was published in January 1887.
Some thing of the kind I had in contemplation, if I could have remained in the Garden.
Prof Luerssen has only examined yet a small portion of the Papuan Ferns, so I have resolved, to send to Kew fragments of each species;
4
For the circumstances leading to M sending ferns to Luerssen see M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 22 June 1886.
from what little I have, only small pieces can be spared, as Sydney and Brisbane have also to be supplied. But to keep faith with Dr Luerssen I would beg of Mr Baker to communicate with him on any species which may perhaps prove new; — Mr Forbes ferns did not come here.
5
M refers to the New Guinea collections of Henry Forbes; the ferns went to the British Museum (Natural History).
Red pencil line in margin against I would beg … proves new. The initials JGB [John Gilbert Baker] are alongside the line.
See notes to M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 17 February 1886 (in this edition as 86-02-17a).
Regardfully your
Ferd von Mueller
Mr Davidson, who went with Mr Sayer on a mission of mine to the summit of Mt Bellenden Ker,
6
Qld.
will, (if he does not alter his plans) return next month to England, where his father is the Proprietor of a Great Iron factory. The young Gentleman will bring you the small case with rooted plants of the redflowering Correa Lawrenciana. Though
7
Red pencil line in margin against will bring … though Annotated in lead pencil in margin Not yet rec 10-8-87 W.W. [William Watson] and Failed, see lett 4/7/87 [i.e. M to W . Thiselton-Dyer, 4 July 1887 (in this edition as 87-07-04a) , which arrived at Kew on 22 August 1887].
hardier than any other species, it should arrive in Spring at Kew. It was Mr Findlay,
8
James Findlay.
after whom I named the Bertya Findlay[aea],
9
after whom … Findlay[aea] is a marginal note with intended position indicated by an asterisk. The end of the word is cramped at edge of sheet, but it is definitely not the correct Findlayi.
who kindly got the cuttings for the second time and planted them in pots. So they came here, where they have been under my care for many month on the few square yards of garden-ground at my little Cottage.
Let me hope, that these particular cuttings will also show the brilliant color of the var cardinalis of C. speciosa, such as I saw when 1873
10
1873 interlined.
I discovered in one single valley the red flowered C. Lawrenciana. Speaking of the bid
11
bit?
of ground on which I dwell, I am reminded of Seume's words
"Von allen diesen fetten Gaunen
Gehöret mir ja nicht,
ein Fussbreit Land um Kohl darauf zu bauen,
Zu einem ländlichen Gericht."
12
M is evidently quoting from memory, and somewhat misquoting, from 'Abschiedschreiben an Münchhausen' (1792) by Johann Gottfried Seume (1763-1810):
Ich habe von den vielen fetten Gauen,
Auch keinen Fuss, mir meinen Kohl zu bauen
Zu einem ländlichen Gericht.
Which, if I may fuse
13
M is using a figurative sense of an archaic meaning of 'fuse', namely 'to set out hastily' (OED).
it in English language, might be [put]
14
Word obscured by binding.
"Of all the rich and verdant tillage,
Not so much is my share,
To grow a single dish of cabbage,
For a plain rural fare!"
Mr Davidson will give you if you like a verbal account of the dangers and toil to ascend Mt Bellenden Ker.
Just had a glorious letter from Asa Gray
15
Letter not found.
Bertya Findlayaea
Correa Lawrenciana
Correa speciosa var cardinalis