Melbourne bot Garden
23/11/63
Dear Sir William.
I was again honored by an exceedingly kind letter from you by last mail. I cannot
express how gratified I am to learn, that you maintain your health so well and that
you with so marvellous a vigor are able to prosecute your researches, which are certainly
now more extensive than that of any other phytographer of this or former ages! — By
some oversight my
were never sent in one of the former boxes, as intended, and so they come only now
pr Result together with the first instalment of
for Mr Bentham.
Our collector in North East Australia
is likely by gradually penetrating into the recesses of the ranges able to reveal
more of our tropical fern flora, and it will be highly pleasing to me if I can continue
thereby to contribute from time to time a trifle towards the great work, on which
you are and have been so ardently engaged. Would it be possible for one of your gardeners
to send us a few spores of any extraaustralian ferns cultivated in your rich establishment?
I have raised about 100 species of ferns recently from spores and am anxious to add
to this little collection of graceful and thankful plants.
I think, dear Sir William, that you will find a good many duplicates for Kew herbarium
in the cases as they are sent to Mr Bentham. Such, you will be aware, are quite at
your service, as I consider it of the highest importance, that all our plants should
be as fully as possible be represented in your incomparable collection. My herbarium
is steadily increasing, embracing now in its
Australian
portion about 1000 fascicles.
I have recently secured Dr Steetz collection,
which adds materially to the extra Australian portion, to which I owe such an splendid
access also through Dr Hookers kindness.
May you long be spared for science for your family & friends; that is the sincerest
wish of
your admirer
& servant
Ferd. Mueller
