The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne bot. Garden ¶ 20/5/64. ¶ Dear Mr Davenport ¶ ¶ I must not be remiss in expressing my gratification to hear of Mrs Davenports return and to congratulate your Lady to the success that has att...

Document information

Physical location:

PRG 40/20, Mortlock Library, Adelaide. 64.05.20a

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Samuel Davenport, 1864-05-20 [64.05.20a]. 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/1860-9/1864/64-05-20a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Melbourne bot. Garden

20/5/64.

Dear Mr Davenport

I must not be remiss in expressing my gratification to hear of Mrs Davenports return and to congratulate your Lady to the success that has attended her effort to bring the Ailantus Silkworm to Australia, a fact which for ever will identify her name with the new industry thereby initiated in this country.

You speak of the mulberry silkworm, but this is largely established in Australia at least in this colony. The spurious Quinoa has also well grown here. I take the liberty of using the expression spurious because the true Quinoa is Chenopodium Quinoa, whilst the plant which we raised is Amarantus paniculatus. The grain however of both is nutritious.

Accept my best thank for the seeds of Olives, all fine varieties.

With expressions of kindest regard for you & Mrs Davenport

I remain, dear Sir,

yours cordially

Ferd. Mueller

Amarantus paniculatus

Chenopodium Quinoa