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RBG Kew, Directors' letters, vol. LXXIV, Australia letters 1851-8, letter no. 159. 57.04.06aPreferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to William Hooker, 1857-04-06 [57.04.06a]. 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/57-04-06a>, accessed May 18, 2024
1
Three small watercolours by Thomas Baines are attached to this letter. One is published
as the frontispiece of Volume 1 of
Regardfully Yours.
My dear Sir William.
It is with feelings of the utmost grief, that I commence this letter, to inform you
first of all, that altho' the Messenger at last arrived, one of the most important
part of my collection, namely the greater part of the plants from Central Australia
and the upper part of the Victoria has been destroyed by exposure to water. I availed
myself of the best means at my command for securing the collections so that only direct
contact with water could have caused this grievous loss, and I have consequently requested
Mr Gregory to investigate into the reasons of the destruction of this valuable property
belonging to her Majesty's Government.
The number of specimens destroyed amounts to nearly 3000 and that of seeds to 2-300
kinds. I have kept a few spricks which had not suffered to the extent of the rest,
altho' they will also perish at last by absorption of hygroscopical moisture — still
they will serve at this moment to secure a few additional notes. I am now more glad
than ever to have describe as much as I could on the spot, so that many species are
not quite lost to science, altho' this unfortunate event will cause the perfect loss
of very many kinds in the herbarium and what is equally deplorable, will render my
statistical notes fragmentary in the extreme. Only Messrs Gregory
with whom I shared the trials of that excursion into the desert will be able to estimate
fully the loss.
2
3
Augustus and Henry Gregory.
I have now nearly the whole of my herbarium of the latter part of the journey put
in order and trust, that you recieved that part of the collection and the 160 bot.
descriptions entrusted to Mr Elsey's care.
I beg now to offer a review of some of those plants, which have been under my hands
since the last mail left.
4
See M to W. Hooker, 13 March 1857.
Cedreleae
. Altho' the Red Cedar of New South Wales occurs in many catalogues as Cedrela Australis
I have failed to find any description of it, and recommend therefore this short account
of this important tree, which yielded so much useful timber since the last 70 years,
hereafter to your kind consideration. As a spec. it seems to me very distinct both
from Cedrela Toona & C. febrifuga. I intend to experiment on the bark.
Leguminosae
. To your so expeditiously published account of Nematophyllum
I have to add as ascertained during the latter
5
Nematophyllum hookeri
(B57.01.01, p. 20).
part of the expedition, that the lower leaves are often trifoliate. An important addition
to the generic character of Oxycladium you will consider, that the replum is persistent,
which I also had only after writing the first note an opportunity of observing. —
Of Sesbania venatorum which with four other sp. I have described,
the natives use the long straight stem for duck-spears. The collection contains some
fine Psoraleas,
Tephrosias,
Indigoferas
and Jacksonias; Jacksonia phylloclada being evidently the flatt stemmed Pultenaea
of Dr Leichhardt's journal.
This plant is imitated by a very rare Oxylobium, which introducing the feature of
the flatt leafless Bossiaeas into that genus may be called O. bossiaeoides.
Of Gompholobium I saw only one sp. in the North.
Of Euchilus & Podolobium & Mirbelia I have to offer 1 new species from the east.
Into the diagnoses of the numerous Cassias I introduced the condition of the stamens,
which I find more consistent as I formerly believed. I do not think that we possess
the true Cass. occidentalis in Australia. Of the three Australian Bauhinias
I am able to give now a complete account. The finest of it shall bear your name; it
is with B. Carroni one of the principle components of the Brigalow Scrub, which occupies
such a large tract of country of East Australia. Mr Carron deserves the little bot.
compliment I am paying him now for his bot. notes secured during Kennedys expedition,
of which he was only destined with one man to survive, as you may see by his journal
which I forwarded from Melbourne.
I believe Bauhinia contains heterogenous elements and is to be divided. Of Erythrina
we possess a third sp. on the East Coast, which forms a magnificent tree.
My notes will establish a new genus allied to Cassia, which differs in pentandrous
flowers and more essentially in longitudinally bursting anthers. It has the habit
of a minute Cassia which suggested the appellation microcassia and ranges over the
whole of Trop. Austr. as far as we went.
There are three or four other new genera of Leguminosae, to which I shall refer more
particularly hereafter. Brewsteria, a magnificent plant, you will have recieved by
this time.
Of Wistaria I have two beautiful species from Moreton Bay, both forming subgenera,
one with large panicles of black-purplish flowers (W. atro-purpurea).
Zornia supplied several very marked plants,
and so did Desmodium.
A second sp. of Aeschynomene stands close to A. aspera.
A common Taverniera, varying with 1-3 seeds may possibly be identical with T. spartea.
Lespedeza does not appear in the North.
6
M published no
Sesbania
species from this expedition.
S. simpliciuscula
was published by Bentham (1863-78), vol. 2, p. 213 from a specimen M collected on
the upper Victoria River, retaining M's herbarium name given on specimen K278194. K278197, filed under
Sesbania benthamiana var. benthamiana, has M's label 'Sesbania venatorum' collected 'Gulf of Carpentaria'. Herbarium names occur on other M specimens at K collected at this time, but they had been previously described.
7
Presumably including
P. archeri,
P. plumosa
(B63.09.01, pp. 21-2),
P. balsamica,
P. leucantha
and
P. pustulata
(B59.13.02, pp. 54-5).
8
M published no species of
Tephrosia
from this expedition. Bentham (1863-78), vol. 2, pp. 204-11 published M's manuscript
names for seven species of
Tephrosia
and used M's collections in describing another nine new species of
Tephrosia.
9
Presumably including
I. lasiantha
(B59.04.03, p. 6) and
I. oxycarpa
(B62.10.02, p. 103).
10
J. phylloclade
not found (APNI, accessed 29 August 2019). M published no species of
Jacksonia
from this expedition. Bentham (1863-78), vol. 2, pp. 55, 58 published M's herbarium names for two species of
Jacksonia
, although M's label on
J. odontoclada
on the specimen he saw (K 846798) does not seem to
be
M's collecting label
but a label added as specimens were distributed
.
See Leichhardt (1847), p. 393, entry for 8 September.
11
Oxylobium bossiaeoides
not found (APNI, accessed 29 August 2019) but mentioned in B59.12.02, p. 222.
12
Presumably
G. stenophyllum
(B62.05.01, p. 30).
13
Presumably
Euchilus cuspidatus
(B58.05.02, p. 68),
Podolobium
aciculiferum
(B59.02.03, p. 75) and
Mirbelia aotoides
(B59.13.02, p. 53).
14
Presumably
B. hookeri,
B. carroni
and
B. leichhardtii
(B59.13.02, pp. 49-51).
15
Carron (1849).
16
Presumably
Erythrina biloba
(B57.01.01, p. 21).
17
W. Hooker in his 'List of Mueller's Australian plants received in July 1857' lists
'Microcassia pentandra Muell' as a
Cassia
sp. (RBG Kew, plant lists, vol. 1 Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia, New Zealand,
Polynesia, 1845-63, p. 323).
18
See M to W. Hooker, 6 March 1857 for a comment on
Brewsteria.
Hooker in his 'List of Mueller's Australian plants received in July 1857' lists 'Brewsteria
physanema Muell' as a
Cassia
sp. (p. 323).
19
The second species was presumably
W. megasperma
(B58.03.01, p. 10).
20
Presumably including
Z. chaetophora
(B59.13.02, p. 56).
21
M published no new species of
Desmodium
based solely on specimens from this expedition, but Bentham (1863-78), vol. 2, pp. 233-5 published five new
species using M's specimens, retaining, in three instances, M's herbarium names from his collecting labels: see specimens K 279065 (D. campy
locaulon, spelled 'campylocaule' on M's label), K 279089 (D. rhytidophyllum) and K 279026 (D. nemorosum).
22
The
Aeschynomene
taxon described by
M (in B92.01.03, p. 136) was not from
this expedition
.
Rubiaceae
. I am glad to announce some important additions to this order for the Austral Flora.
Hedyotis includes spec. with the habit of Wahlenbergia, Mitrasacme, Scleranthus, Asperula,
Galium &c suggesting so many specific names.
Of Pavetta exist at least 2 spec., of Gardenia 4
of Canthium 5.
But the limits between Canthium, Coffea, Psychotria & even Ixora in application to
the Australian species seemed to me by no means clear. A new genus, which I distinguish
as Pogonolobus,
stands between Guettarda and Psychotria. Several other shrubs of this order were on
account of their indifferent state not yet to be determined. Psychotria daphnoides A. C. of which you have given such an excellent
figure
is common in the Araucaria Ranges.
23
Presumably including
Hedyotis mitrasacmoides,
H. scleranthoides,
H. galiodes,
H. trachymeniodes,
H. coerulescens, H. pterospora, and
H. tillaeacea
(B63.10.01, pp. 38-40) and
H. spermucocoides
(B74.03.01, p. 146).
24
Presumably
G. edulis,
G. megasperma,
G. ochreata
and
G. resonosa
(B58.07.01, pp. 54-5).
25
Presumably including
C. coprosmoides,
C. vaccinifolium
(B59.13.02, p. 47),
C. lamprophyllum
and
C. microphyllum
(B61.02.02, pp. 133-4).
26
M erected
Pogonolobus
(P. reticulates) in B58.07.01, p. 56.
27
W.
Hooker (1827-64), vol 60, tab. 3228.
Euphorbiaceae
. From Mercurialis & Claoxylon I distinguish a n. g. of Echinocroton forming a good
sized shrub: and three Phyllanthi which have besides their whole filaments also their
anthers joined into one mass I call generically Synostemon.
The species, at least the Australian, have a peculiar habit. Of true Croton I obtained
three species (Croton phebalioides & C. Hillii & C. subsericium)
Of Melanthesa one, and of Omolanthus also one distinct from O. populifolius in appendiculate
capsules on a long stalk, [carin]ovulate seeds and leaves so much like Stillingia
sebifora, that I derived the specific name from it.
Mappa seems formerly not found in Australia. Micrantheum yielded a sp. exactly intermediate
between M. ericoides & hexandrum
(M. triandrum is perhaps referable to Phyllanthus?)
Briedelia Australis n. sp. has only once been seen on the cliffs of the Victoria River.
Glochidion racemosum differs in pubesecence, pentandrous flowers &c from Glochidion
Australe of N.S. Wales.
A new Ricinocarpus comes so near to Bertya, that I preferred to reduce this genus
rather than to establish a new one; and I may mention that the Tasmanian sp. of Bertya
was previous to my knowledge of that genus referred to Ricinocarpus, and has been
introduced as Ricin. sessiliflorus into my second report.
About a dozen Phyllanthi I described on the spot.
Euphorbia is poorly represented, one sp. however remarkable for palmately dissected
flower scales (E. schizolepis.)
To this genus may possibly belong a tall tree once seen on the Gulf of Carpentaria
with verticillate leaves. The stem was full of milky juice but I failed to obtain
the flowers and fruits, altho' I cut a tree down for the purpose.
28
M erected
Echinocroton
(E. claoxyloides) and
Synestemon
(S. ramosissimus) in B58.06.01, pp. 32-3.
29
J. Mueller published
C.
phebalioides
and
C.
arnhemicus
from specimens M collected on this expedition, see J. Müller (1864), p. 485,
and J. Müller (1865), p. 112 respectively; M's field labels on the specimen sdescribed as
C. arnhemicus
have Croton hibiscifolium (K. 959224, K 599225). The specimen of
C. phebaliodes
at Kew (K 959232) has a note by M attached that is included here, where it is relevant, although it was probably included with the set of specimens announced as packed and ready for shipping in M to W. Hooker, 18 May 1857:
Croton!
p
hebalioides
Ferd Mueller
This is unfortunately the whole supply of this interesting plant. Altho we saw it repeatedly from the Burdekin to the Dawson I failed in obtaining
it properly. It grew always in the dense Brigalow Scrub when the attentions of us was so much required not to loose the packhorses.
See A. Gregory (1858), pp. 121-9. M described
C. tomentellus
and
C. stigmatosus
(B64.11.01, pp. 140-1) from specimens including those he collected on this expedition.
Croton hillii
and
C. subsericium
not found (APNI, accessed 19 January 2020), however a specimen filed as
C. tomentellus
at Kew (K 959230) has M's field label '
Croton subsericium
'.
30
Presumably
O. stillingifolius
(B58.06.01, p. 32).
31
Presumably
M. boroniaceum
(B58.06.01, p. 32).
32
Druce (1917) p. 639 did refer
Micrantheum triandrum
to
Phyllanthus.
33
B. australis
not in APNI (accessed 19 January 2020).
34
G. australe
and
G. racemosum
not found (APNI, accessed 29 August 2019), but specimen K1056818, filed under
Phyllanthus ciccoides, has 'Glochidion! racemosum' which includes as part of a longer note 'my specimens
reduced by breakage to these fragments. Berry much shrunken'.
35
B54.12.01, p. 10.
36
Presumably including
P. subcrenulatus
(B59.04.04, 108).
37
Euphorbia schizolepis
was described in Boissier (1862), p. 20 from specimens collected by M at Hooker Creek.
Chrysobalaneae
. The Nonda tree of Leichhardt is a true Parinarium, a genus not yet mentioned from
Australia, and I adopt the name nonda, since it is introduced into Arrowsmith's map,
for this species.
38
Parinarium nonda
was described in Bentham (1863-78), vol. 2, p. 426, from specimens collected by Leichhardt
and by M. The map, Arrowsmith (1847), was published separately to accompany Leichhardt (1847).
Combretaceae
: A new Lumnitzera is the most important plant of this order, and interesting as being
not a seashore- but a mountain-plant, occuring on the arid summits of Newcastle Range.
I shall furnish you with the description of 6 Terminalias
and 1 Chuncoa.
39
Presumably
L. montana
(B61.05.02, p. 149).
40
Presumably including six of
T. bursarina,
T. edulis,
T. erythrocarpa,
T. oblongata,
T. platyphylla,
T. platyptera,
T. pterocarpa
(B61.05.02, pp. 149-52).
41
APNI (accessed 29 August 2019) notes that ‘no record of this genus having been applied to Australian taxa has been
found, however it is recorded by N. T. Burbidge,
Dictionary of Australian Plant Genera
(1963) 71’.
Celastrineae
To your Catha Cunninghami
I have been able to add 3 other species. A new genus (Osteotheca)
approaches in two species to Lophopetalum & Putterlickia having hard bony valves,
very imperfect dissepiments and many seeds in the capsule. As a third species I refer
to it, as far as a flowering specimen in Sir Thomas Mitchells collection permits me
to judge the Melicytus? oleaster; and I believe also, that the Xylomeleum mentioned
from trop. Australia by Dr Leichhardt belongs to this genus, since one species resembles
at times Xylomeleum pyriforme in its foliage. Dr Leichhardt saw doubtless only the
leaves.
42
M transferred the species to
Celastrus
in B59.13.01, p. 30, where he also described
Celastrus dispermus
(p. 31) and
C. bilocularis
(pp. 31-2).
43
M did not publish
Osteotheca
species, but after receiving comments on his specimens from Allan Black, herbarium
keeper at Kew, he referred Mitchell’s
Melicytus?
oleaster
to
Denhamia, in which genus he described
D. xanthosperma
and
D. heterophylla
from specimens collected on the expedition and
D. pittosporoides
from specimens collected by C. Moore (B59.13.01, pp. 28–30).
Halorageae
. Of this order I have little to offer but a new sp. of Myriophyllum (not Meionectis)
with dicoccous fruits (M. dicoccum)
44
B59.13.02, p. 41.
Rhamnaceae
Ventilago racemosa is frequent and I believe constantly apetalous.
2 sp. of Zizyphus occur.
45
V. racemosa
was published as a name without description (B57.06.02, p. 165).
46
Presumably including
Z. quadrilocularis
(B62.07.01, p. 57).
Portulaceae
. One sp. of Portulaca is referable almost to Calandrinia, having free persistent
sepals and a circumcised capsule. It resembles Calandr. calyptrata. 2 sp. of Trianthema,
distinct from those, mentioned on a former occasion, are characterized by a solitary
style and a thin very depressed operculum, which induces me to distinguish them as
Brachypyxis
forming as a subgenus a transit to Ancistrostigma.
An other new kind has the leaves of Basella. Thus with the formerly discovered plants
this order has been considerably augmented in Australian Botany.
47
Calandrinia quadrivalvus, C. spergularina
(B59.09.03, pp. 175–6),
C. uniflora
(B59.09.03, p. 41),
Trianthema glaucifolia, T. oxycalyptra, T. pilosa
and
T. rhynchocalyptra
(B59.09.03, pp. 173-4) were described from specimens collected on this expedition.
Brachypyxis
is not in APNI (accessed 29 August 2019), but two of the
Trianthema
species are described as having solitary styles: however M's field labels on
T. oxycalyptera
(MEL 99968) and
T. pilosa
(MEL 99981) have the names under which they were described, although that of the latter
has been written over, apparently altering the name from T. polyandra, the name on the field label of K 75425.
Portulacca bicolor, P. digna, P. filifolia
and
P. oligosperma
were described in B59.09.03, pp. 169-70.
Compositae
One of the sp. of Sphaeranthus has only the male flowers enlarged, an other (perhaps
Sp. glaber DC) both male and female contrary to the hitherto published accounts of
the genus. A remarkable subgenus of Glossogyne (Trioncinia) is characterized by a
very short style, a cylindrical akenium, and three retroflexed Aristas.
Of Spilanthes I found a second Australian sp.,
a good deal resembling Wedelia & Wollastonia. The two last genera showed also respectively
2 n.sp.
Senecio can boast only of one distinct and unknown kind, which I owe to the quick
eye and hand of Mr Hill.
A second sp. of Pluchea is tetrandrous;
and is it not perhaps a more general character in this order to see the number of
the anthers correspond to the divisions of the flowers? The distinction between Pluchea
and Blumea is in some instances not easy, as some sp. of the latter genus proved to
me sufficiently. The basaltic plains of Peak Downs enabled me to add a Ixiolaena (I
brevicompta)
1 Helipterum[,]
2 Rutidosis sp
and 1 Brachycome to the collection.
In Sir Thomas Mitchells herbarium I find a plant which appears to me to be the type
of a new genus: it differs from Baccharis chiefly in having the deciduous scales of
the involucre spirally inserted upon a cylindrical persistent receptacle or rachis, so that it may
appropriately be called Spiropodium.
The genus Rhodanthemum with 4 or 5 sp. is more nearly allied to Pluchea, than to Vittadinia,
as I formerly thought.
Of Eurybia I brought but one additional new sp. home.
Kippistia (Centaurea riparia DC) resembling Leuzea in many points, but has an uniseriate
pappus.
48
Presumably
G. retroflexa
(B58.07.01, p. 51).
49
Presumably
S. anactina
or
S. macroglossa
(B65.10.04, p. 63).
50
Presumably including
Wedelia spilanthoides
(B65.10.04, p. 64). M published no new
Wollastonia
from this expedition.
51
Presumably
Senecio drymophilus
(B57.09.04, p. 69).
52
Probably
Pluchea tetranthera; although the species was described in the context of the plants collected by Babbage’s
expedition, B59.10.02, p.12, Bentham (1863-78), vol. 3, p. 528 lists specimens collected
by M from the Victoria River.
53
B58.07.01, p. 3.
54
editorial addition.
Presumably
H. polyphyllum
(B58.06.01, p. 35).
55
Presumably
R. leucantha
and
R. murchisonii
(B58.06.01, p. 35).
56
Presumably
B. basaltica
or
B. microcarpa
(B58.07.01, p. 50).
57
M erected Spiropodium (S. baccaroides) in B58.06.01, p. 34.
58
Rhodanthemum
was not erected until 1993 (IPNI, accessed 29 August 2019), and the genus is native
to Spain and North Africa; there are specimens with M's label at Kew: 'Rhodanthemum adscendens…Suttor River' (K974719) and 'Rhodanthemum adscendens…Flinders
River also in Sir Th. Mitchells collect.' (K974720), filed under
Streptoglossa adscendens. Each label also has M's note '(R. annum msc)'. See Bentham (1863-78), vol. 3, p. 533, where it is descibed as
Pterigeron
adscendens
.
59
Presumably
E. xerophila
from near the Burdekin river (B58.07.01, p. 510).
Hydroleae
. The Austr. sp. seem to be scarcely distinct from H. Zeilanica
60
Hydrolea zeylanica?
Solanaceae
. the latter part of our expedition brought into my possession 12 new Solanum species,
an addition that can not surprise us, when we remember, that since R. Browns exertions
scarcely any but my own few previously discovered sp. have been added from Australia
to this extensive genus. Many of the kinds were extremely local and some very beautiful,
so that I recommend them with their ample description drawn up on the spot of growth
to your kind attention. I may be permitted to remark, that I found no difficulty in
discriminating them, when duly regarding position and [structure] of the fruit bearing
calyx, structure of berry, lenght of filaments &c. Three sp. occur equally prickly
and armed, and also not less than 3 have a four-celled berry. — Datura Leichhardtii
belongs to the Sect. Dutra and approaches next to D. alba.
61
M described twelve species of
Solanum
in B61.05.02 but not all are based on specimens from this expedition.
62
Datura leichhardtii
was published by Bentham (1863-78), vol. 4, p. 468, based in part on specimens collected
by M on this expedition. M published the name without description in B54.13.06, p.
20.
Myoporineae
The white flowering Stenochilus bignoniaeflorus occurs also in Central Australia but
I am inclined to refer it to Pholidia.
A magnificent Eremophila I wished to distinguish with Mr Latrobe's name,
it may prove at the same time that the unlimited kindness of the first Governor of
Victoria was also in the desert vividly retained in my mind, indeed that it never
will sink in oblivion.
63
M referred
S. bignoniaeflorus
to
Eremophila bignoniflora
(B60.13.03, p. 294).
64
E. latrobei
(B59.04.04, p. 125).
Verbenaceae
Dr Hooker will be pleased to hear, that I have added an East-Australian plant to his
New Zealandian Genus Teucridium. It imitates it well in habit and can scarcely be
removed from that genus, altho' the fruit is spherical.
The first endemic Australian sp. of Verbena has at last been discovered; it comes
near to Verbena stricta Vahl.
65
M published no species of
Teucridium
,
but K881361 has his label 'Teucridium (Polycladium) sphaerocarcarpum' collected 'Suttor
Ranges'. See Bentham (1863-78), vol. 5, pp. 55-6. under
Spartothmnus, and his discussion of M's treatment in B68.03.04, p. 153.
66
Presumably
V. macrostachya
(B58.07.01, p. 60).
Asclepiadeae
. Bidaria is represented by a new sp. very distinct from the only Australian one,
with which I am acquainted.
The other plants include new species of Cynoctonum,
Marsdenia
& Gongronema,
and what I consider a well marked new genus (Rhyncharrhena)
67
B. leptophylla, collected on the Burdekin river (B59.13.02, p. 59)?
68
M did not publish any
Cynoctonum
, but K8946
27
, filed under
Cynanchum
puberulum
, has M's label
'Cynoctonum
puberlum n.sp.' collected from 'Rocks, Upper Victoria R'
. Bentham (1863-78), vol. 4, p. 332
described it and attributed the name to 'F. Muell. Herb.'.
69
Probably including
M. leichhardtiana
(B66.10.01, p. 160).
70
The specimen at K873019 has M's label 'Marsdenia |
Gymnema micradenia
Benth. | Brisbane River'. The sheet is stamped 'Herbarium Hookerianum 1867' implying
that Bentham had previously described the name before it was published in Bentham
(1863-78), vol. 4, p. 344 as
Gymnema micradenia.
However it is known that the stamp has been applied to specimens collected by M in
1868 (Lucas (2007), citing K60575); it is possible that 'Gymnema micradenia
Benth' was added later in another hand, although this cannot be determined with certainty. M later moved the species to
Gongronema
(B83.03.04, p. 84).
71
M erected Rhyncharrhena (R. atropurpurea) in B59.04.04, p. 128.
Apocyneae
. Alstonia constricta n. sp. has been brought home already by the late Sir Th. Mitchell
and a second sp. occurs in N.W. Australia.
Of Parsonsia I noticed six different ones,
all destitute of the calycine scales; one forms on account of a valvate praeflorescence,
ventricose tube of the corolla broadly dilated tailless anthers and a crenulate disk
at least a subgenus, which may recieve the name Gastranthus.
Mr Hill has given me also a new Melodinus,
which likewise deserves subgenerical distinction, producing a double series of bifid
scales, 5 in each. A spec. of Cerbera, not unlike C. Manghas, is in so imperfect a
state noticed only on one locality, that its proper determination will be possible
only by comparing the allied species.
72
A. constricta
and
A. ophioxyloides
(B58.07.01, p. 57).
73
Probably including
P. eucalyptophylla
(B61.05.02, p. 159) and
P. ventricosa
(B57.09.04, p. 71).
74
Gastranthus
was invalidly published (B68.03.04, p. 130), as it was given only as a provisional
name. M's label on K857581 has 'Parsonsia (Gastranthus) venbtricosa Ferd Mueller Brisbane
Hill & Mueller'. He published
Parsonsia ventricosa
in B57.09.04, p. 71, placing it within the section Gastranthus.
75
Presumably
M. acutiflorus
(B57.09.04, p. 71).
Pimeleae
A new sp. of Pimelea from trop. East Australia is perhaps the finest of all. It is
herbaceous has blood red flowers arranged in a spike, which fruit bearing often exceeds
a foot in length.
76
Presumably
P. sanguinea
(B59.02.03, p. 84).
Proteaceae
yielded nothing new but 1 sp. of Grevillea
and one of Stenocarpus.
77
M described several
Grevillea
from this expedition including
G. longiloba
(B59.04.04, p. 136),
G. alphonsiana,
G. polybotrya
(B57.01.01, pp. 22-3) and
G. hilliana
(B58.09.04, p. 72).
78
Presumably
S. acacioides
(B59.04.04, p. 135).
Najadeae
. I have the satisfaction to introduce 1 Aponogeton
and 2 Ouvirandras into the Australian flora.
The former producing an eatable tuber, alluded to already by poor Dr Leichhardt. A
new genus (Leiostigma)
has the sepals and stigmas of Ouvirandra and the anthers and capsules of Triglochin
or nearly so. Potamogeton only is enlarged by two n. sp.
79
Possibly
Aponogeton elongatus
which was described in Bentham (1863-78), vol. 7, p. 188, based in part on specimens
collected by M on this expedition.
80
M did not identify or name any Ouvirandra spp, but see B58.05.01, pp. 141, 144, 161.
81
Leiostigma
not found (APNI, accessed 29 August 2019).
82
Presumably including
P.
tenuicaulis
(B59.02.03, p. 90).
Juncagineae.
Triglochin dubium, a rare plant, is to be referred to Cycnogeton, but this genus should
remain in proximity of that, from which it was separated and not be placed into a
different natural order. Dr Sonder has, I believe, written and doubtless with his
usual care on these plants, but I regret not having recieved his paper yet.
He finds in the Zannichellia of my collection a new genus, and you will observe, that
I described the six celled anthers in my transmitted manuscripts some years ago.
83
Sonder (1856b) discussed
Triglochin, but he did not erect a new genus in that paper or others authored by him in the
series ‘Plantae Muellerianae’ published in the same volume of
Linnaea.
84
MS not found. For Bentham’s interpretation of “six –celled anthers”, see Bentham (1863-78), vol. 7, p. 179.
Hydrocharideae
. Ottelia Indica I have noticed with blue flowers in North Australia, and I shall
soon bring either Hydrocharis Morsus Ranae or an allied plant as an Australian Citizen
under your notice.
With Dr Elsey I transmitted to you to Dr Harvey and to Mr Latrobe a set of Mr Gregory's
charts. I am doing a most gratifying duty in informing you now, that Mr Gregory has
also commemorated your illustrious name in Geography by connecting it with the S.
E. watercourse leading into the desert, from which we were repelled by want of water.
This streamlet disappointed our hopes of leading us into Central Australia, still
it remains a remarkable geographical feature, and when I add that many fine plants
were seen there for the first time, you will be less sorry, that he could not connect
your name with some new noble river. —
Mr Gregory thanks you for your attention of sending him the copy of my letter, in
which I not only join, but also expressing my great thankfulness to you for your unceasing
kindness towards me and my humble labours, which you far overrate. His Excellency
Sir Henry Barkly repeated publicly some kind remarks of yours about the humble writer
of these lines, and thus I have recieved a mighty support, which I shall not fail to turn out to advantage for our favourite science. The Philos. Institute created
me not only an honorary member, but manifested expressions of kindness & sympathy,
which I shall in joyful recollection retain to the end of my days.
85
M had been elected an honorary member of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria eighteen months earlier, on 10 July 1855, shortly after he left Melbourne to join the North Australian Exploring Expedition,
at the first meeting of the Institute formed by the merger of the Philosophical Society of Victoria and the Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science; see
Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria, vol. 1 (1855), proceedings of the meeting of 10 July 1855, p. xxv. However, M probably did not become aware of his election until he returned to civilization
at the beginning of 1857. At the meeting of the Philosophical Institute on 4 February 1857, the Institute's two Vice-Presidents offered their resignations in order that M could be offered the
vice-presidency instead; see M to J. Macadam, February 1857 (in this edition as 57-02-00) and footnotes thereto.
7. April 1856.
86
1857?
I finished unpacking the damaged plants to day, and I need not assure you, Sir William,
that I never performed a more disheartening task. The official reply of Mr Baines,
to whom this important collection was entrusted is so unsatisfactory to me, that I
can not retract my pronouncing this severe loss as originated by the want of sufficient
care on his side at this instance Grief and disappointment have made me quite ill
for the time.
Mr Hill sends me a few fine plants again, amongst which I percieve an Euodia and a
new Sterculiaceous plant, of which I shall give soon an account.
87
Possibly
Euodia erythrocca
or
E. neurococa
(B58.06.01, p. 28), but each is based on specimens collected jointly by M and Hill.
The ‘Sterculiaceous plant’ has not been identified.
Dr Bennett
intends to send with my collection a sample of the essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora,
for which Mr Moore
supplied the leaves. The quantity of oil which they contain is unusually large namely
1/74 of the fresh leaves. Mr Baines sends a sketch of Adansonia Gregorii, which completely
resembles its west african proto type in habit according to a drawing of Dr Bennett,
who most strikingly compares the woodcuts of the Baobab in some of the best elementary
works to a mushroom! (By Dr Bennetts drawing I learn, that the fruit stalks of Adansonia
digitata are much larger than in A. Gregorii.)
Both he as well as Mr Moore directed my attention to the discrepancy between your
Eupomatia laurina, which you had figured so beautifully and the Brownian plant. The
former, introduced by Mr Moore from Moreton Bay to the establishment, which supplied
the object of the figure in Bot. Mag, occurs also in my transmitted collection, whilst the Brownian Eupomatia inhabits the
woods of Illawarra and towards Sydney. My specimens are very imperfect, still I must
admit the difference when consulting Bauers plate,
and if you agree with our views, I would beg to suggest you would distinguish the
new species with Mr Bennets name,
who not only deserves a scientific tribute for his ardent cultivation of the natural
sciences, but particularly for so much valuable bot. information contained in his "Wanderings in N.S. Wales"
and in other of his writings.
88
George Bennett, d. 1893.
89
Charles Moore.
90
(By Dr Bennetts … A. Gregorii.)
is a marginal annotation in the MS with its pos
ition in the text indicated by an asterisk
.
91
The illustrations referred to are in W. Hooker (1827-64), vol. 81, t. 4848, and Flinders (1814),
Atlas, t. 2, drawn by Ferdinand Bauer.
92
Eupomatia bennettii
(B58.07.01, p. 45).
93
Bennett (1834).
Asperula divaricata Bischoff, described from a plant of uncertain origin is evidently
a native of Australia and perhaps identical with Galium geminifolium, at least likewise
illustrative of the stipular nature of part of the leaves in Stellatae. — Of Hypoestes
I obtained a second sp,
of Escallonieae seemingly a new genus as also of Sapoteae.
The latter, very imperfectly seen touches on Argania, and excited already Dr Leichhardts
attention on account of the very viscid drupe. Bidens pilosa is common on the East
coast of Australia.
94
Possibly
H. densiflora
ssp.
densiflora
published by Bentham (1863-78), vol. 4, p. 554 based in part on specimens collected
by M on this expedition.
95
M published no new genera of Escalloniaceae or Sapotaceae from this expedition.
I hope to be able to forward
all
the collections in proper order in about one month hence, when I shall instantly return
to Victoria to resume my duties there. Mr Wilhelmi returned from his collecting journey,
so that we will be able to send many good seeds and specimens more from Victoria.
I subscribe myself with all sentiments of regard and in greatest obedience
Ferd Mueller
Adansonia digitata
Adansonia Gregorii
Aeschynomene aspera
Alstonia constricta
Ancistrostigma
Apocyneae
Aponogeton
Argania
Asclepiadeae
Asperula
Asperula divaricata
Baccharis
Basella
Bauhinia Carroni
Bauhinia hookeri
Bertya
Bidaria
Bidens pilosa
Blumea
Bossiaea
Brachypyxis
Brewsteria
Briedelia Australis
Calandrinia calyptrata
Canthium
Cassia occidentalis
Catha Cunninghami
Cedrela Australis
Cedrela febrifuga
Cedrela Toona
Cedreleae
Celastrineae
Centaurea riparia
Cerbera Manghas
Chrysobalaneae
Claoxylon
Coffea
Combretaceae
Compositae
Croton Hillii
Croton phebalioides
Croton subsericium
Cycnogeton
Cynoctonum
Datura alba
Datura Leichhardtii
Desmodium
Echinocroton
Eremophila
Erythrina
Escallonieae
Eucalyptus citriodora
Euchilus
Euodia
Euphorbia schizolepis
Euphorbiaceae
Eupomatia laurina
Eurybia
Galium
Galium geminifolium
Gardenia
Gastranthus
Glochidion Australe
Glochidion racemosum
Glossogyne
Gompholobium
Gongronema
Grevillea
Guettarda
Halorageae
Hedyotis
Helipterum
Hydrocharideae
Hydrocharis Morsus Ranae
Hydrolea Zeilanica
Hypoestes
Indigofera
Ixiolaena brevicompta
Ixora
Jacksonia phylloclada
Juncagineae
Kippistia
Leguminosae
Leiostigma
Lespedeza
Leuzea
Lophopetalum
Lumnitzera
Mappa
Marsdenia
Meionectis
Melanthesa
Melicytus oleaster
Melodinus
Mercurialis
Micrantheum ericoides
Micrantheum hexandrum
Micrantheum triandrum
Microcassia
Mirbelia
Mitrasacme
Myoporineae
Myriophyllum dicoccum
Najadeae
Nematophyllum
Omolanthus populifolius
Osteotheca
Ottelia Indica
Ouvirandra
Oxycladium
Oxylobium bossiaeoides
Parsonsia
Pavetta
Pholidia
Phyllanthus
Pimelea
Pimeleae
Pluchea
Podolobium
Pogonolobus
Portulaca
Portulaceae
Potamogeton
Proteaceae
Psoralea
Psychotria
Psychotria daphnoides
Putterlickia
Rhamnaceae
Rhodanthemum
Rhyncharrhena
Ricinocarpus sessiliflorus
Rubiaceae
Sapoteae
Scleranthus
Senecio
Sesbania venatorum
Solanaceae
Solanum
Sphaeranthus glaber
Spilanthes
Spiropodium
Stenocarpus
Stenochilus bignoniaeflorus
Stillingia sebifora
Synostemon
Taverniera spartea
Tephrosia
Terminalia
Teucridium
Trianthema
Triglochin dubium
Trioncinia
Ventilago racemosa
Verbena stricta
Verbenaceae
Vittadinia
Wahlenbergia
Wedelia
Wistaria atro-purpurea
Wollastonia
Xylomeleum pyriforme
Zannichellia
Zizyphus
Zornia