Document information

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RBG Kew, Directors' letters, vol. LXXIV, Australia letters 1851-8, letter no. 154. 56.06.18

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Hooker, 1856-06-18. 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/56-06-18>, accessed May 18, 2024

1
For an edited version of this letter see B56.11.01. The changes in the printed version noted here are those that alter sense, or the spelling of plant and place names. Uncertain transcriptions follow the printed version.
Main Camp on the Victoria River,
18 June 1856
Sir William,
Prepared to leave in Mr Gregory's party this camp again within a few days, I am anxious to avail myself of the only opportunity, which might offer itself before our return to the settlements on the eastern coast, of laying before you a short account of the principle results of my botanical labours in North- and Central- Australia. Perhaps I flattered myself too much, when I thought the information, which I gained of the botany of this part of the globe important enough, to arrange it roughly for an early communication, but I am well aware, Sir William, that yourself and many of your scientific friends are watching with intense interest the progress of phytological knowledge of Australia, and moreover of these remote and untrotten parts of the country. I have therefore with Mr Gregory's permission collected some of the principle notes for this letter, and appended to it the description of 12 new genera and 25 n. sp., which to me at least appeared to be extremely interesting.
2
The descriptions were published, as a 'continuation' of B56.11.01, in B57.01.01.
You will be aware, that I am under the restriction of retaining all information for the Government, and if you therefore think any of my observations important enough for early publication, it will require the sanction of the secretary of State for the Colonies, which in all likelihood will be easily obtained, as I refrain from all general information on the results of the expedition, since Mr Gregory's official reports will reach simultaneously with this letter England. I only state, and am proud to do so, that I with one of our best men was selected to push with the two Messrs Gregory
3
Augustus and Henry Gregory.
into Central Australia; and I perform a pleasing duty, when I thankfully acknowledge on this occasion, that Mr Gregory has not only given me all the opportunities, which the expedition afforded for promoting my objects, but gave me also liberty to make the best of my time during our stay on this camp, so that I was enabled to examine here the greater part of those plants, which I had not yet analyzed during the progress of our travels.
Thus I have written the diagnostic of more than 300 sp. and about 20 genera, either new to the Flora of Australia or imperfectly known and in most instances the diagnosis is accompanied by a detailed description. You will be surprised to see the accompaniing article headed by
Adansonia Gregorii

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! The Gouty-Stem-tree of All. Cunn. and Capt. Stokes is a true Adansonia in every point, and who deserves more to have his name attached to that best plant disclosed by this expedition, than our leader?, to whose prudence skill and perseverance not only the general and geographical results of the expedition are d[ue] but also the success of the labours of all his followers.
I am at present unable to give an accurate account of the real number of species collected, but I believe they do not exceed 800 species, exclusive of what has been obtained on the eastern coast, a number to be considered scanty in the extreme, if we consider the actual extent of the lines of our explorations, which fall scarcely short of 3000 miles. The want of changes in the geological formation throughout the country which we traversed may partially account for the paucity of plants, whilst on the other hand the whole tract is devoid of a mountainous flora, since real mountains do not exist, and the highest point of the dividing tableland between the Victoria River and Sturts Creek is according to Mr Gregory['s] calculations not elevated more than 166[0'] We met only on one locality a small Granit[e] ridge, which yielded a few remarkable plant[s,] amongst them the strange
Erythrina biloba

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. The principle geological features are sandstone of the carboniferous series, which forms the table land, and basaltic plains and ridges[;] nor is it likely, that the geological formation of the country will contribute to the richdom of its Flora until we leave the Gulf of Carpentaria, between which and Moreton Bay in all likelihood the principle harvest of plants will be reaped.
Impossible as it is to send at present extensive copies of my writings home, I will endeavour to furnish you with a hasty review of my notes. Amongst
Thalamiflorae

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occur two sp. of Ionidium new to Australia (I. purpureum & aurantiacum)
4
No description of I. purpureum has been found; but there is a specimen carrying this name on one of M's 'Gregory's North Australian Expedition' labels In the herbarium of Trinity College Dublin, TCD10305. I. aurantiacum was described from M's specimen in Bentham (1863-78), vol. 1, p. 102.
of Cissus also 2 sp, as I have been obliged to refer the
Vitis

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mentioned by Capt Stokes (C. acida) also to this genus.
5
Presumably the MS name of the species published as Cissus acetosa in B59.13.01, p. 24; most of M's specimens available on JSTOR plants have field labels with the name '
Vitis

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acetosa', e.g., MEL 540132, but MEL 540131 has an herbarium label '
Vitis

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acetosa ferd Mue | Cissus acetosa | F.M. in transact. Vic. Inst' (B59.13.01). The reference is to Stokes (1846), vol. 1, p. 158.
Of
Capparis

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I have three sp. of Cleome also 3, one having pink flowers and the habit of an oxalis (C. flava C. tetrandra C. oxalidea)
Sapindaceae

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comprise
Cardiospermum

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, several fine new
Dodonaea

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s and a new genus,
Distichostemon

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, allied to
Dodonaea

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.
Zygophylleae

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are even in the interior destitute of the genus, which forms the type of the order, but I discovered a new Tribulus (T. ranunculiflorus) remarkable for having 1-2 seeded carpels, so that with its upper leaves alternate it comes into close contact with Tribulopsis, which furnished a beautiful new sp.,
Tribulopsis heteranthera

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,
6
No description of
Tribulopsis heteranthera

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has been found. Specimens collected by M of species of Tribulopsis / Tribulus listed in Bentham (1863-78), vol. 1, pp. 287-291 that are available on JSTOR Plants ( https://plants.jstor.org accessed 30 September 2019) have labels with the names given in Bentham, except T. bicolor , which have M's labels with the name Tribulopsis amianthera (GH 248400, K 725234); Tribulopsis anisanthera n.sp. (K 725235); Tribulus bicolor (MEL 110979 from the O. W. Sonder herbarium), Tribulopsis bicolor, with bicolor over anisanthera, both epithets in M's hand (MEL 2289984). Bentham's description of the anthers is consistent with M's earlier MS name. M described T. bicolor in B58.07.01, p. 4.
advancing the genus again to 3 sp, since T. angustifolia has been reduced to T. Solandri, which with T. pentandra is very common even in the interior.
Tribulus acanthococcus

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has been also seen, like
Drosera angustifolia

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from the Murray. D. petiolaris is common and occasionally accompanied by other sp. of which one produces beautifully blue petals.
Polygala

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, mentioned by R. Br.
7
R. Brown (1814), pp. 543-4.
as existing in the tropics of Australia, is represented by 3 or 4 sp. distinct from the southern one, but
Comesperma

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is wanting or at least not found.
Corchorus

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& Triumfetta both with 4 sp. augment their small order considerably in Australian Botany.
8
Presumably including C. sidoides (B62.04.01, p. 9), C. vermicularis (B62.04.01, p. 10), T. macropetala (B62.04.01, p. 8), and T. micrantha (B62.04.01, p. 7).
One sp. of Triumfetta (T. plumigera) is remarkable for not woody capsules and long plumose setae of the fruit, which characters may entitle it to generic distinction. Dr Steetz excellent paper on Australian
Buettneriaceae

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9
Steetz (1848); despite the title page of the volume dating it to 1846-7, the parts containing this treatment were issued in 1848 (see TL2).
will recieve a supplement in 1 sp. of
Seringa

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,
10
printed version has Seringia. Presumably S. nephrosperma (B57.01.01, p. 15).
1 sp of
Melochia

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!,
11
MEL has two specimens of
Melochia

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pyramidata and one of M. corchorifolia collected from the Victoria River by M in 1855 and 1856.
1 sp of
Melhania

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,
12
Presumably M. oblongifolia (B59.02.03, p. 69).
1 sp of
Rulinga

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,
13
printed version has Rulingia. Presumably R. loxophylla (B59.02.03, p. 68).
1 sp of
Waltheria

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, mentioned by All. Cunningham, and one of
Ridleya

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.
Malvaceae

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form a predominant family with many Spec. of
Sida

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&
Hibiscus

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, one species of the former genus
Sida

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(Abutilon) leucopetala having fine white flowers.
Gossypium Australe

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is common as far as we went, and a Abelmoschus (A. albo-ruber) differs from Ab. splendens. A new
Southwellia

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14
Southwellia

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is an earlier name for Sterculia. There are two specimens of Sterculia quadrifida collected by M on this expedition at MEL, one collected at Moreton Bay (Qld) and the other from the estuary of the Fitzmaurice River ( NT).
has quadrifid flowers, and also 2 sp. of
Brachychiton

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have been seen.
15
For a discussion of Australian
Brachychiton

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species, see M to W. Hooker, 6 March 1857.
Of
Methorium

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I met one sp.,
16
Presumably M. integrifolium (B59.13.02, p. 40).
of
Frankenia

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1, of
Boronia

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3,
17
Presumably B. chrachyphylla, B. artemisifolia and B. artemesioides although invalidly published (B57.07.01, p. 196), and possibly B. ledophylla (B59.02.03, p.67).
of
Polycarpaea

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4, of
Hemistemma

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1, of
Hibbertia

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several, of
Thouinia

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1, of
Pittosporum

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1,
18
Presumably P. melanospermum (B59.02.03, p. 70).
of
Elaeocarpus

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1, With
Cochlospermum heteroneurum

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,
Pachynema complanatum

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,
Nympaea coerulea

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Caraba
19
printed version has Carapa.
Moluccensis & 3 sp. of
Melia

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I conclude the remarks on
Thalamiflorae

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as far as they are examined.
Amongst
Calyciflorae

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I noticed 2 sp of
Trianthema

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,
20
Presumably T. oxycalyptra and T. pilosa (B59.09.03).
1 of
Sesuvium

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, 5 of
Portulaca

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including the cosmopolitan spec. which proved exceedingly beneficial to us,
21
Presumably P. bicolor, P. digyna, P. filifolia, and P. oligosperma (B59.09.03, pp. 169-70).
2 sp of
Calandrinia

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,
22
Presumably C. quadrivalvis and C. uniflora (B59.09.03, pp. 175-6).
2 of
Mollugo

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,
Glinus lotoides

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and a new genus amongst
Portulacea

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.
23
No new genus published by M in
Portulacea

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e has been found.
Euphorbiaceae

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are not so numerous as might be expected, comprising several Phyllanthi, 4 sp. of
Euphorbia

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, 1 of
Rottlera

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, 1 of Lepto[nema]
24
printed version has 'Leptoneura'. Presumably
Leptonema

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melanthesoides (B57.01.01, p. 17).
and two new genera, besides a few plants unexamined and
Adriana acerifolia

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.
Of
Myrtaceae

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, I saw a new Lhotzkya (L. cuspidata)
25
Lhotzkya cuspidata was M's field label on MEL 726450, which also carries his 'Botanical Museum of Melbourne' label: '
Calycothrix

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acheata | Ferd.Mueller. | In transact phil Soc. Vict. | Arnhem Land'. For the published name see B59.13.02. p. 43, where he gives the name in the published version of this letter (B56.11.01. p. 324) as a synonym.
3 sp. of
Calycothrix

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,
26
Presumably including C. brachychaeta (B59.13.02, pp. 42-3) and C. megaphylla (B58.03.01, p. 13).
1 sp of Verticordia (V. scariosa) 1 of
Baekea

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, 1 of
Kunzea

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?, about 12 Eucalypti including E. rostrata,
27
Eucalyptus species from the North Australian Exploring Expedition were mostly described in B58.11.01.
4 sp. of
Melaleuca

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,
28
Presumably including M. minutifolia (B59.13.02, p. 45) and M. lasiandra (B62.10.02, p. 115).
2 sp of
Tristania

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,
29
Presumably T. lactiflua and T. rhytiphloia (B59.02.03, pp. 81-2).
1 sp of
Jambosa

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,
30
Presumably J. eucalyptoides (B59.12.02, p. 226).
and a new genus (
Xanthostemon

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) which requires yet to be compared with your
Backhousia

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, of which I have no diagnosis at hand.
Barringtonia

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shows here 2 splendid species,
31
Presumably including B. careya (B66.12.03, p. 183).
Melastoma

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1,
Osbeckia

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1, Haloragis 3 including H. glauca & H. aspera.
32
And presumably Haloragis leptotheca (B62.05.01, p. 32).
Umbelliferae

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33
printed version has Umbelliflorae.
are reduced to 3 sp, two of them form a most remarkable genus,
Hemicarpus

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, having only 1 mericarp developed; the third spec is of the appearance of a
Sison

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and bore on the solitary place where it was seen neither flowers nor fruits.
34
Possibly Dimetopia hemicarpa (B56.02.01, p. 51).
Lythraceae

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are more numerous in Australia than was expected comprehending 4 sp either of
Ammannia

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or
Rotala

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,
35
Presumably including
Rotala

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apetala (B62.10.02, p. 108).
1 new genus (
Calopeplis

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) allied to
Lythrum

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and
Peplis

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.
36
K 729590 (
Lythrum

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arnhemicum ) has M's label '
Calopeplis

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(n.g.) lythriflora | Sturts Creek | Ferd. Mueller'; in B62.10.02, p. 109, named
Lythrum

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arnhemicum, assigning it to '(Sect.
Calopeplis

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)' but without any description of the section.
Of
Cucurbitaceae

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I found 1
Luffa

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, 1 beautiful
Trichosanthes

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, 2 sp of Cucurbita of which one (C. jucunda) yield eatable fruits, and a unexamined genus. Dr. Leichhardt speaks of several other
Cucurbitaceae

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, which I have evidently not yet met with.
37
Leichhardt (1847), for example, p. 207.
Of
Stackhousieae

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occurs but 1 sp.
Leguminosae

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form the largest order of all with about a dozend Acacias, including A dimidiata, delibrata,
38
printed version has dolibrata.
lycopodifolia. 8 Cassias all distinct from those in the South, one having only 3 or 4 flowers (C. oligandra)
39
The name
Cassia oligandra

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has not been found. In M B62.07.01, p. 49, M named C. oligoclada from specimens collected at the Victoria River, and although not an exact match, the description of the number of flowers per inflorescence is not incompatible with his comment here.
a second and very marked species of
Petalogyne

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(Petalostigma R. Br. non Griesebach)
40
printed version has Petalostylis.
which I named P. cassioides,
41
printed version has a footnote, p. 324, indicated by an asterisk, giving the diagnosis of P. cassioides.
Abrus precatorius

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,
Inga moniliformis

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,
Bauhinia Leichhardtii

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,
Erythrina Vespertilio

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,
Erythrina biloba

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n. sp., a splendid
Agati

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with white flowers 2" long and pods often more than 2' long,
Sesbania Australasica

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, and two other species, one very large with pink flowers,
Vigna

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1 sp,
Desmodium

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3 sp,
Lourea

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1 sp,
Dicerma

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42
printed version has Diserma.
1 sp.
Rhynchosia

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1 sp,
Indigofera

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8 sp one being monospermous,
Psoralina

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43
Psoralina

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has not been found. It may be a mistake for Psoralea: K 217484 has a field label by M 'Psoralea pannosa', while K 278041 and MEL 11694 each has a label for 'Psoralea plumosa' in M's hand. Both species were collected by M during the expedition and are described in B63.09.01, pp. 21-2.
belonging also to the genus,
Crotalaria

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9 sp, one seemingly C. verrucosa, with blue flowers, an other with large green flowers; Zornia 3 sp,
44
Possibly including Z. chaetophora (B59.13.02, p. 56).
distinct from Z. dictyocarpa,
Leptocyamus

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at least 1 sp,
Tephrosia

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several sp
Aeschynomene

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1 sp
Atylosia

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2 sp.
Daviesia egena

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,
Bossiaea

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1 sp,
45
Presumably
Bossiaea

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phylloclada (B59.13.02, p. 52).
Jacksonia

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2 sp and 2 excellent new genera:
Nematophyllum

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and
Oxycladium

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. Many of my
Leguminosae

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are not yet examined. Amongst
Loranthaceae

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are charming plants, and I have described their vivid colours from living specimens; one has green flowers.
46
Presumably Loranthus grandibracteus which has green flowers (B60.13.12, p. 14).
Onagreae

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are reduced to 1 sp of
Ludwigia

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and 2 sp of
Jussiaea

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. Amongst
Rubiaceae

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I have done little else than to ascertain that the
Sarcocephalus

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mentioned by Dr Leichhardt is a splendid large arboreus
Morinda

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, which I named after my unfortunate countryman,
47
See Leichhardt (1847), p. 271.
Morinda

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leichhardtii, mentioned without description in B58.05.01, p. 148 was not elsewhere described.
that 2
Gardenia

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s,
48
Presumably G. resinosa and G. megasperma (B58.07.01, p. 54).
4
Hedyotis

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sp
49
Presumably including H. spermacocoides (B74.03.01, p. 146), H. Mitrasacmoides, H. pterospora, and H. scleranthoides (B63.10.01, pp. 37-40).
4
Spermacoce

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exists;
50
Presumably including S. auriculata, S. inaperta, and S. laevigata (B63.10.01, pp. 41-3).
the unexamined rest contains
Psychotricha

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51
Psychotria?
and some genera not noticed by Cunningham, having on the other hand not all those seen, which he enumerates.
Rhamnaceae

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&
Celastrineae

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are very scarce. The former include
Zizyphus melastomoides

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All. Cunn.
52
Zizyphus melastomoides

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is listed in B. Jackson (1895), vol. 2, part 2, p. 1252, but in neither APNI nor IPNI (each accessed 22 December 2019).
I was greatly disappointed to see in the desert so little of my favourite order, the Composites, altho' I presumed that the would vanish greatly in the coast tract. Having dissected all of them I give the enumeration: Calotis allied to C. breviseta,
53
Presumably C. tropica (B59.13.02, p. 58).
Wedelia

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1 sp.
54
Presumably W. spilanthoides (B65.10.04, p. 64).
Wollastonia

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1 sp
Vernonia cinerea

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,
Sphaeranthus megacephalus

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n.sp.
Eurybia brachycomoides

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n.sp.
Pluchea erigeroides

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n.sp.
55
No descriptions of
Sphaeranthus megacephalus

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or
Eurybia brachycomoides

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have been found.
Pluchea erigeroides

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is the name given on M's label for a specimen collected on the Gilbert River, Qld (K 890331) to which he gave the name Erigeron ambiguum in B59.13.02, p. 58.
Blumea Cunninghami

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, B. integrifolia, B. senecionidea, a fine tall species with all flowers fertile forming a new subgenus
Asteira

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,
56
No Blumea species described by M has been found.
Spilanthes Australis

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,
57
Spilanthes australis is M's name on the label of a specimen collected at Sturt's Creek, WA (K 9764) for a species that Bentham (1863-78), vol. 3, p. 541, recognised as having being previously described as S. grandiflora.
Flaveria Australasica

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,
Bidens

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sp,
Glossogyne tenuifolia

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,
Diodontium filifolium

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, an excellent new genus of
Verbesineae

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,
Eurybiopsis macrorrhiza

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,
58
macrorhiza?
Myriogyne minuta

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,
Sphaeromorphaea petiolaris

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,
Therogeron integerrimus

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,
Rhodanthemum minus

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and odoratum;
59
Rhodanthemum is a genus mostly confined to North Africa, but IPNI (accessed 5 October 2019) lists neither R. minus nor R. odoratum. However, a specimen that M identified only to the genus Rhodanthemum from the Lower Victoria River (K 974729) he later described as Pluchea odora (B59.03.01, p. 12); it was transferred to Pterigeron by Bentham (1863-78), vol. 3, p. 532. The species that M had labelled Rhodanthemum exsertum from the Gulf of Carpentaria (K 974736) he later named Pluchea macrocephala in B59.03.01, p. 12, under the group of 'species of Pluchea belonging likewise to the section Rhodanthemum [that] remained hitherto unpublished'. The species that M had labelled Rhodanthemum adscendens from the Suttor River (K 974719), Bentham (1863-78), vol. 3, p. 533 named Pterigeron adscendens. Another set of specimens identified only to the genus (K 974735) was described by Bentham (1863-78), vol. 3, p. 352 as Pterigeron microglossus.
a new genus close to
Vittadinia

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,
Monenteles

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2 sp. Gnaphalium luteo-album,
Helichrysum bracteatum

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,
Chrysocephalum

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sp. H spathulifolium n.sp. H. leptorrhynchoides
60
printed version has leptoryhnchoides. Descriptions of neither
Helichrysum spathulifolium

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nor H. leptorrhynchoides have been found.
n.sp.,
Coleocoma Centaurea

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:
61
printed version has Coleoroma.
a interesting n. g. of
Centaurineae

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. —
Sonchus

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&
Senecio

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are wanting! — Stylidium has been augmented by 9 new sp, of which it was advantageous to describe them minutely from fresh specimens. Styl. rotundifolium & St. alsinoides have also been seen.
Lobelia

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comprises 2 n. sp. Of
Goodeniaceae

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62
printed version has Goodenovieae.
I shall be able to add to Prof de Vrieses new work:
63
Probably Vriese (1854).
I found about 20 sp. of which
Scaevola Koenigii

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, revoluta & ovalifolia,
Calogyne pilosa

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,
Goodenia purpurascens

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, mollis & hispida are described by R Br. The rest contains Goodenias, some of great beauty, Scaevolas, 1
Velleya

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and 1
Lechenaultia

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.
64
printed version has Leschenaultia. Presumably
Lechenaultia

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agrostophylla (B67.07.05, p. 8).
One Scaevola is remarkable for having yellow flowers and exactly the appearance of a Goodenia, but a quadrilocular drupe.
65
Presumably S. goodeniacea (B59.04.04, p. 121).
Convolvulaceae

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66
printed version has Among Corolliflorae before
Convolvulaceae

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.
are as numerous as might be expected, but yielded little new (2 or 3 sp of Ipomoea) Of Brownian sp I found:
Convolvulus multivalvis

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, Ipomoea denticulata, eriocarpa, alata, longiflora, heterophylla, dissecta, gracilis, pannosa, erecta, hederacea, incisa, all the 3 sp of
Breweria

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,
Evolvulus

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, which seem to belong to one
67
printed version has our.
polymorphous species, and one or two
Polymeria

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s,
68
printed version has
Polymeria

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e.
also
Cressa Cretica

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.
Ipomoea biflora

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is a var of I. erecta.
Apocyneae

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contain:
Parsonsia velutina

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,
Balfouria saligna

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,
Carissa ovata

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& lanceolata &
Strychnos lucida

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. Of
Sapoteae

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I have only
Sarsalisia sericea

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,
69
Sersalisia? M deleted &
Maba ovata

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after Sericea; it is listed later in the letter.
of
Campanulaceae

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:
Wahlenbergia gracilis

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, of
Myrsineae

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Aegiceras fragrans

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, of
Ebenaceae

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Maba ovata

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&
Diospyros rugosula

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, of
Jasmineae

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Jasm. divaricatum & J. molle.
Myoporinae

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70
printed version has Myoporineae.
&
Verbenaceae

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are very interesting: the former are augmented by
Eremophila tuberculata

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n. sp &
Pholidia stenochiloides

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n.sp.
71
The name
Pholidia stenochiloides

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has not been found.
I saw also
Myoporum tenuifolium

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&
Stenochilus longifolius

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& maculatus. The latter order proved to add a
Avicennia

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distinct from the southern sp to the Australian Flora, 2 new sp. of Vitex (V. cardiophylla & triphylla)
72
The name Vitex cardiophylla has no been found; for
Vitex triphylla

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, see V. trifolia (Bentham (1863-78), vol. 5. p. 66).
besides V. ovata, a
Lippia

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, a new Pithyrodia
73
Pityrodia?
(P. exsucca) and a fine new genus from Central Australia, which I beg to name
Newcastelia

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, to evince my gratitude to the exertions of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, in behalf of the North Australian Expedition.
74
Newcastlia (N. cladotricha ) (B57.01.01, p. 22). See also M to Duke of Newcastle, 17 January 1860.
Off all the Brownian plants I saw only
Clerodendron inerme

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,
Vitex ovata

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&
Callicarpa adenophora

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.
75
Callicarpa adenanthera?
Labiatae

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are vastly at the decrease. I found only a new
Teucrium

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,
Anisomeles salvifolia

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,
Mentha Australis

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! 2 Plectranthi not enumerated in the prodromus,
76
R. Brown (1810).
Pl. moschatus, of which Pl. parviflorus R Br (non W) is a var. —
Borragineae

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contain a new tetrandrous genus with lobed leaves (
Lobophyllum tetrandrum

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)
Halgania solanacea

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n.sp. Heliotrop. diversifolium n.sp. H. pimeloides n.sp. H. ventricosum, H. paniculatum, fasciculatum, tenuifolium, ovalifolium.
77
Heliotropium diversifolium was published in Bentham (1863-78), vol. 4, p. 400. No description of H. pimeloides has been found.
Trichodesma Zeelanicum

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78
printed version has Zeylanicum.
and an
Ehretia

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. The small genus
Josephinia

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is increased by 1 sp.
79
Presumably
Josephinia

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eugenia (B57.12.01, p. 370). See also M to W. Hooker, 21 June 1857
Bignoniaceae

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recieved to
Spathodea heterophylla

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a new one (S. nematophylla)
80
The name
Spathodea nematophylla

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has not been found.
Acanthaceae

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contain
Nelsonia campestris

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, 3 sp. of
Adenosma

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, 1 of
Dicliptera

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,
81
Presumably
Dicliptera

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armata B67.12.01, p. 88.
Hygrophila angustifolia

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, 1 sp of
Rostellularia

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,
Hypoestes floribunda

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.
Asclepiadeae

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contain 2 very distinct new
82
printed version omits new.
Gymnema

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s, a new
Cynanchum

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,
83
Cynanchum

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puberulum was described in Bentham (1863-78), vol. 4, p. 333 from a M collection from the Victoria River (K 894627).
Microstemma tuberosum

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,
Oxystelma carnosum

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,
Sarcostemma Australe

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,
Secamone ovata

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,
Gymnanthera nitida

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,
Cynanchum pedunculatum

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and a few unexamined plants.
Scrophulariniae

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yielded a yellow
Mimulus

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,
Buchnera asperata

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, curviflora, parviflora,
Centranthera hispida

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,
Lindernia scapigera

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, alsinoides, and 2 sp of a genus which differs only
84
printed version has solely.
from Lindernia in being diandrous,
Morgania glabra

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, pubescens, a
Gratiola

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,
Herpestis floribunda

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,
Limnophila gratioloides

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,
Microcarpaea muscosa

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, and a genus which differs solely from
Peplidium

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in one celled anthers. Solana are not unfrequent, S. echinatum & biflorum I recognize with certainty amongst them, the latter is distinct from my S. pulchellum —
Physalis parviflora

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is rare, Leichhardts
Datura

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has not yet been seen.
85
Datura

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leichhardtii F. Mueller. ex Benth. in Bentham (1863-78), vol. 4, p. 468. The specimens cited include Comet River, Leichhardt (MEL 501779). Leichhardt (1847), pp. 74-106 is about his travels along Comet Creek but there is no mention of a
Datura

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. One of M's own specimens (K 759497) has his note: 'I have unfortunately not a single good specimen. Most of those collected decayed during the journey'.
Gentianeae

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contain besides
Orthostemon

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Erythraea

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and
Limnanthemum crenatum

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, geminatum & nymphaeifolium, a new pygmeous sp. of the latter genus with small white flowers (L. minimum) and a host of Mitrasacmes which are with exception of M. ramosa, laricifolia, prolifera, elata, stellata (with yellow flowers) new.
86
Presumably including M. constricta, M. exserta, M. gentianea, M. lutea and M. subvolubilis (B59.04.04, pp. 130-3).
Utricularia has 4 sp here U. chrysantha!. U. exoleta, U. azurea, n.sp.
87
No description of
Utricularia azurea

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has been found.
U. fulva n.sp., the latter resembles more a orchideous
88
printed version has an Orchidaceous.
plant than anything else.
Plumbagineae

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have
Aegialitis annulata

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&
Plumbago Zeelanica

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.
89
printed version has Zeylanica.
None of the Monochlamydeous Orders is here extensive, which I regret particularly with regard to
Proteaceae

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; of which I have seen the following Persoonia falcata,
Banksia tomentosa

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,
90
George (1981), p. 461, in his list of 'Nomina dubia' states 'from the region of Victoria River, Northern Territory, and therefore probably referable to B. dentata'.
Grevillea Goodii

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, G. Dryandri, G. chrysodendron, G. heliosperma, G. refracta, G. leucodendron, G. mimosoides, G. striata, G. agrifolia, G. angulata,
Hakea longifolia

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, H. arborescens, and a new spec. allied to the former.
91
Presumably Hakea chordophylla (B57.01.01, p. 23).
Grevillea yielded only 2 new sp. which with the first
Helicia

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found in Australia I have described in the next pages,
92
Presumably G. alphonsiana, G. polybotrya and H. australasica (B57.01.01, p. 22).
in order, if you would show me the kindness, that Profess. Meisner might insert them yet in the appendix of his monograph.
93
printed version has a footnote: 'The monograph of Professor Meisner, to which Dr. Mueller alludes, has very recently appeared in the volume of De Candolle's "Prodromus."' See Meisner (1856). The new species appeared in the 'Addenda and corrigenda' to Meisner’s
Proteaceae

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, at pp. 699-700 in the same volume, in the part issued in November 1857.
I did the same with a new Pimelea which with a blood red sp perhaps P Punicea represent alone
Thymelieae

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.
94
Possibly Pimelea sanguinea (B59.02.03, p. 84) and P. ammocharis (B57.01.01, p. 24).
Laurineae

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are reduced to one sp of
Gyrocarpus

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&
Cassyta

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,
95
printed version has Cassytha.
Olacinae

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96
printed version has Olacineae.
to O. aphylla.
Santalaceae

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contain S. lanceolatum, which has black fruits,
Exocarpus latifolia

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and
Anthobolus filifolius

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.
Chenopodeae

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97
printed version has Chenopodieae.
are much rarer as I expected even in the saline parts of the desert, but some of the sp are new as of
Anisacantha

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and
Kentropsis

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,
98
Presumably K. glabra (B59.04.04, p. 139).
a remarkable little
Blitum

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. I saw farther
Salsola Australis

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, of which S. macrophylla seems to me a var,
Halocnemum Australe

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,
99
Halocnemum australasicum?
H. Indicum?,
Arthrocnemum Arbuscula

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, the Mitchellian
Kochia

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s,
100
Possibly K. lanosa, K. thymifolia and K. villosa.
Enchylaena tomentosa

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,
101
printed version has Enchyloma tomentosa.
Rhagodia hastata,
Chenopodium auricomum

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?, Rhagodia sp. The
Amaranthaceae

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I have been unable to determine all having Moquins excellent memoir not at hand;
102
Moquin-Tandon (1849).
there are several
Euxolus

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sp.
Trichinium incanum

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! T. nobile, T. gracile, T. distans, T. Preissii,
Ptilotus corymbus

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103
printed version has corymbosus.
and 2 other sp. of which one is remarkable for opposite leaves,
Gomphrena

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several sp.
104
Presumably including G. brachystylis, G breviflora and G. firma (B62.10.02, pp. 123-5).
Alternanthera denticulata, which is I think not to be distinguished from A. nodiflora, also a little erect sp.,
Achyranthes Australis

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which passes gradually in
105
printed version has into.
A. canescens.
Polygonum Cunninghami

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106
cunninghamii.
is very common on the half saline banks of the Vict. Riv., as also in many places of the interior, besides which only an other sp of Polygonum occurs.
Nyctagineae

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show only 1
Boerhavia

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107
printed version has Boerhaavia.
but this so polymorphous, that I should not be surprised to see it under 6 names in the collections; it is often pentandrous. Of Cycas I saw C. media, of
Conifereae

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1
Callitris

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, of
Casuarina

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1 of
Ficus

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5 species. But is it not extraordinar that in all my travelling here I met only 2 spec
Orchideae

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?
Cymbidium canaliculatum

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, and a Dipodium distinct from D. punctatum.
108
Presumably D. venosum (B58.07.01, p. 61).
Equally startling it must appear that even on the shady moist banks of this noble river, or on its fine cataracts, well overhung with ferns hardly any mosses, or lichens, exist! I saw only one single Hypnum, allied to H. cupressiforme & H. Muelleri in fruit! and the sterile sp do not amount to more than 5 or 6. With exception of Grasses all Monocotyledoneous Orders are comparatively limited. I have
Seaforthia elegans

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,
Livistonia inermis

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,
Caesia gilva

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n. sp.
109
The name
Caesia gilva

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has not been found. The only Caesia named by Mueller from the expedition is C. chlorantha, B58.07.01, p. 63.
Chlorophytum xerotinum

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n. sp.
Thysanotus chrysantherus

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n.sp.
110
printed version has chrysanthurusi.
Asparagus fasciculatus

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, 3 new sp of
Haemodorum

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,
Xyris laevis

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, X. paludosa, and a new one, a
Typhonium

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,
111
T. lillifolium? (B59.05.01, p. 104).
which forms a subgenus distinct from
Sauratium

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, several
Eriocaulons

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, one
Triglochin

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,
Crinum angustifolium

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,
Pandanus pedunculatus

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, and a spec with free drupes, which if distinct from the Indian kinds may be called P. aquaticus, as it indicates and lines permanent water,
112
printed version has lives permanently in water.
According to Brock (1988) p. 275, the plant's habit is 'along banks of permanent freshwater streams in lowland or sandstone country'. See B65.06.02, p. 40.
and has been introduced as "Waterpandanus" in Dr Leichhardts work.
113
Leichhardt (1847), pp. 390-1.
—
Tacca pinnatifida

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is common —
Najas Indica

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,
Potamogeton natans

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, a
Ledobauria

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! and a new Alisma (A. acanthocarpum) remarkable for a limited number of thorny carpels are our waterplants.
Typha

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1 sp.
Dioscorea bulbifera

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;
Anguillaria Indica

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,
Cartonema spicatum

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,
Aneilema anthericoides

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, Cyanotis sp! n. (C. canaliculata)
114
No description by M of any Cyanotis species has been found.
Commelyna undulata

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and a sp. not described by R Br.
Flagellaria Indica

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and one
Desvauxia

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comprise the rest of
Monocotyledoneae

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with the exception of
Cyperoideae

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and Grasses. Of the latter I can only say, that to our horses delight they prove next
Leguminosae

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to be the largest Order in this part of Australia! and contain a good deal new, for instance two undescribed Anthistirias
115
Presumably including A. avenacea (B66.12.04, p. 206).
2 new
Cenchrus

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sp,
116
Presumably including
Cenchrus

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elymoides (B73.11.03, p. 107).
several at least in Australia unknown Andropogons.
Neurachne

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,
Oryza

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,
Lappago

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&
Glyceria

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seem formerly unnoticed within the Tropics of Australia. Recognized I have
Sporobolus Indicus

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, pulchellus, a sp. of
Perotis

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, several
Aristida

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s,
Poa polymorpha

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, P. tenella,
Triodia pungens

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,
Arundo Phragmites

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,
Eriachne squarrosa

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, glauca, avenacea,
117
printed version has avenarea.
capillaris,
Pappophorum pallidum

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, P. purpurascens,
Triraphis pungens

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, T. mollis,
118
Probably
Triraphis mollis

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R.Br. from R. Brown (1810).
Ectrosia
119
printed version has Ectropia.
leporina, E. spadicea,
Dactyloctenium

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sp. Chloris several species including Chl. Moorei,
Cynodon tenellus

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, C. Polystachyos,
Milium

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sp.
Paspalum orbiculare

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[a] n.sp.,
Panicum gracile

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, argenteum, P. holosericeum, P. Crus Galli,
120
printed version has Crus-Galli.
P. semialatum, P. decompositum, P. laevinode, P. papposum, P. spinescens and several which I consider new.
121
Presumably including P. ctenanthum (B74.03.01, p. 153).
Xerochloa

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sp.
Thuarea

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122
printed version has Thouarea.
sp
Spinifex longifolius

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,
Anthistiria australis

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,
Andropogon intermedius

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, bombycinus,
123
printed version has Bombycinnus.
fragilis, citreus,
Erianthus irritans

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, E. fulvus,
Imperata arundinacea

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,
Ischaemum rottboellioides

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and other sp.,
Rottboellia formosa

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,
Ophiurus corymbosus

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and a second sp. Amongst
Cyperoideae

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is a
Scirpus

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, new for the Australian flora, several Cyperi,
Hypaelyptum microcephalum

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,
Fuirena glomerata

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,
Isolepis barbata

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,
Heleocharis compacta

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, H. capitata, about 20
Fimbristylis

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sp., which I have all minutely described, as the greater part is new,
124
M described 13 species of
Fimbristylis

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in B59.11.01, and a further two in B59.12.01. Bentham (1863-78), vol. 7, also described four species from M's Victoria River collections.
Abildgaardia

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sp.,
Rhynchospora longisetis

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,
125
printed version has longiseta.
Scleria margaritifera

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, S. pygmaea. I am sorry to state, that I shall be unable to contribute much to your collections of ferns, as they are your particular favourites. I have collected Marsilea, what I consider M. quadrifolia in numerous forms,
Schizaea bifida

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(very rare)
Blechnum striatum

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,
Nephrodium propinquum

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,
Acrostichum fraxinifolium

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,
Platyzoma microphyllum

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,
Gleichenia microphylla

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, G. Hermanni,
Notochlaena vellea

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,
Cheilanthes tenuifolia

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,
Pteris umbrosa

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, a
Ophioglossum

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and a
Lycopodium

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both undescribed in R Br work. Fungi, at least the larger kinds, are very rare indeed.
126
The following paragraph, the MS version of which has not been found, has been inserted out of sequence at this point in the printed version:
'Taking a retrospective view, you will observe that the following Orders of plants, occurring in other parts of Australia, are here either entirely obliterated, or that they can be only very scantily represented, for of none of the following has a single plant been obtained throughout five degrees of longitude and six degrees of latitude:-
Ranunculaceae

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,
Magnoliaceae

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,
Cruciferae

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,
Papaveraceae

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,
Hypericinae

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,
Geraniaceae

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,
Lineae

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,
Oxalideae

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,
Tremandreae

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,
Elatineae

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,
Sclerantheae

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,
Mesembryanthemeae

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,
Tetragoniaceae

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,
Nitrariaceae

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,
Ceratophylleae

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,
Cunoniaceae

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,
Rosaceae

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,
Caprifoliaceae

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,
Araliaceae

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,
Brunoniaceae

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,
Epacrideae

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,
Oleineae

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,
Primulaceae

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,
Orobancheae

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,
Plantagineae

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,
Callitrichineae

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,
Atherospermeae

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,
Castaneae

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,
Irideae

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,
Hypoxideae

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,
Aphyllanthaceae

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,
Smilacineae

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Xerotideae

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,
Junceae

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,
Hydrocharideae

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,
Lemnaceae

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,
Restiaceae

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. Several common genera of the South have likewise never been met with; for instance,
Carex

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Lepidosperma

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,
Sonchus

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,
Senecio

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,
Pultenaea

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,
Dillwynia

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, and most of the allied genera, Pomaderris,
Leptospermum

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,
Stellaria

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, etc.; but my list contains, as you may observe, many genera never noticed by any writer on Australian phytology.
Melochia

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is in this behalf perhaps most interesting.'
I might have extended this summary much farther, but in the hope, that it will convey to you a general idea of the flora of this part of the globe, I shall close it here, praying you will excuse its hasty compilation, as the greater part is written at night time. I reckon to be able to add between this and the Gulf of Carpentaria 100 n.sp. to the collection, altho' the auctumn season is unfavourable. At all events I shall be able to add to my notes and to increase the collections of seeds. The greatest harvest I can expect to reap between the Gulf of Carpentaria and Moreton Bay, provided that Mr Gregory is able to increase his party to such a number, that I can enter again — I believe that we shall require 3 months to reach the Albert River, and we will start to morrow. Our party consists of Mr A. Gregory, Mr H. Gregory, Mr Elsey, 3 men and myself. I have for my share to attend to 5 horses, which I have of course to saddle and to pack, which is but a fair and necessary arrangement as actually every individual is only attending thus to the conveyance of the means of his subsistence and his comforts. Should circumstances frustrate our meeting the vessel, we might then be expected to reach under the protection of providence Moreton Bay, or some part of the eastern settlements, in 8 or 9 months. Considering this emergency our equipment is as light as possible, to enable us thus to carry the greatest quantity of food (flour, [rice] saltpork, tea and sugar) possible; I could therefore not convey more than half a reem of light paper. I was under similar necessary restrictions, when we pushed into Central Australia, as we might have been cut off from our retreat like Capt Sturt, for many months; the consequence is that the number of specimens brought from the interior is but limited, and I regret to say, that many are in a sad condition, many having been carried more than 1500 miles on horseback. I only hope, that after having escaped narrowly soaking in fording the water courses at various times, they will safely reach their destination.
Before I close this letter I have to ask a great favour, Sir William, namely, if I find other circumstances not adverse, to be permitted to take myself the collections home to England for description. My review of
Crotalaria

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and other genera has proved to me sufficiently, that I ought to compare the Indian plants before I can safely establish Australian species, in many cases. One year and a half at home would be sufficient for this purpose, if you would your well known liberality extend towards me and open me your collections, and I think the Government might at least give me a free passage, since I have not been under any expense to them previous to my arrival in Sydney. This home journey would also give me the opportunity to publish the Flora of Australia felix and South Australia, for which I might consider my materials almost complete. How delightful it would be to me to express personally my veneration to you!
Mr Baines desires to be remembered to yourself and to the famous Dr Burchell, and I wish that you Sir William, as well as Drs Hooker and Harvey and Mr Latrobe will retain in kind remembrance your most obedient and devoted
Ferd Mueller.
127
printed version has Fred. Mueller.
I hope you recieved my box with specimens, send via Singapore, to the Secretary of State.