Document information

Physical location:

Bibliothèque de l'Institut de France, Paris. 62.08.16d

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Decaisne, 1862-08-16 [62.08.16d]. 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//letters/1860-9/1862/62-08-16d-final.odt>, accessed May 15, 2026

1
MS black-edged; M's sister Bertha Doughty died on 7 September 1861. Filed with this letter is a partial French translation in an unknown hand.
Melbourne botanic Garden
16 Aug. 1862.
My dear Professor Decaisne
I had the pleasure of forwarding by the "Moravian" for the Muséum d'histoire naturelle on the 8th of August 2 boxes, adressed to Mr W. Pamplin 45 Frith Street, Soho, London. Will you kindly accept the contents as a small contribution towards your noble institution.
2
See M to J. Decaisne, 26 June 1862 (in this edition as 62-06-26h).
I am sorry, that it is such a humble gift, but as you may regard it as a commencement only of what is to follow, you will at least with your excellent colleagues be convinced of my wish to be serviceable to you. The freight to London is paid, & to Mr Pamplin the bills of loading are sent.
The Boxes contain about 250 dried plants for Prof. Brogniart,
3
Adolphe Brongniart.
some of which will I think be useful to that great savant for comparison with New Caledonian plants and this collection will be gradually augmented. For yourself about 150 dried plants are sent, the majority of which are rare in collections. I have added also some fruits of
Banksia serrata

Search for Banksia serrata in

, a few pamphlets & that portion of the 3. vol of my fragmenta, hitherto printed. Furthermore you will find 6 collections of Australian seeds and 6 smaller ones of seeds gathered at the Gulf of Carpentaria.
I have taken the liberty of enclosing also in the box a skeleton of an Australian aboriginal, (not quite but nearly complete) and which was desired by your Professor of Anthropology.
4
J. L. A. de Quatrefages de Bréau. Request letter not found.
It is packed in Alpaca & Angora Wool grown in my establishment. I have also sent bones of Grus Australis, Phascolarctos cinereus & Ornithorrhynchus paradoxus.
I have enclosed in the boxes also a small parcel with dry plants for M. Lènormand of Vire, several fascicles for M. Alph. De Candolle containing some
Euphorbiaceae

Search for Euphorbiaceae in

,
Piperaceae

Search for Piperaceae in

,
Coniferae

Search for Coniferae in

,
Cupuliferae

Search for Cupuliferae in

,
Aristolochieae

Search for Aristolochieae in

&c, which will be useful to that great author in the elaboration of the forthcoming volume of the prodromus. There are also some plants sent for M le Comte Jaubert & M. Cosson May I ask from you the favor to direct, that these little consignments may go to their destination.
On the 14th of April I forwarded through Consul Truy of Melbourne as well to yourself as to Prof Brogniart a volume of my "plants of Victoria",
5
B62.03.03.
which I hope you received in due time.
Wishing you the best health, I remain, my very dear Sir, your very regardful
Ferd Mueller.
I have hitherto only got Dasyurus ursinus & Phalangista Cookii for the Museum, but hope to get some of the others soon.
I shall have a little more leisure after the planting season is passed & will then be able to send more duplicates out of our collections.