Ferdinand von Mueller

M's donation of 'tree and shrub seeds, 164 papers; herbaceous and Annual, 675 ditto; Grass, Wheat, Oats, Maize, Gourds, and Ricinus, 335 ditto; Palm, 2 ditto. Total varieties of Seeds 1, 178 of Plants 185' was acknowledged at a Council Meeting held on 11 July 1866. See Monthly notices of papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania (1867), p. 57, and RSA/A/4.

At the meeting Agnew read a letter from Archdeacon Davies: 'I enclose a list of plants, which have been forwarded by Dr. Mueller, to the Royal Society's Gardens. Another case, if not already received, will arrive by the next Southern Cross. Dr. Mueller has also promised a very large supply of Fir Trees, for the new Cemetery, and he offered me, or through myself, 500 Tea Trees to any person who will take the trouble of preparing a suitable piece of ground to plant them in. Under these circumstances, I think some acknowledgement is due to Dr. Mueller more than the usual receipt for plants received.' Agnew also read a memorandum by the Superintendent of the Gardens, F. Abbott: 'With reference to Dr. Mueller's splendid donations, I think the thanks of the society are due to that gentleman for his liberality, not only on the present occasion but on many previous ones. In the present collection which consists of 185 Plants and 1,178 papers of Seeds, although there are some more of botanical interest than otherwise, there are many useful and ornamental varieties.'

On moving a special vote of thanks to M, Morton Allport said: 'he had the greatest pleasure in doing so, not only for the splendid and valuable donation, for which the Society had become indebted, but for the extreme attention Dr. Mueller had invariably shown when application had been made to him for information on any subject connected with horticulture or botany. On all such occasions we were certain of receiving a most prompt and courteous reply.'

The Chairman of the Society stated he 'was glad that such notice had been taken, not only of this magnificent presentation, but of the great courtesy which we had invariably experienced in our communications with Dr. Mueller, who, he might further remark, had also promised to furnish us at all time to the utmost of his ability with any shrubs and plants (not being in our own collections) which we might wish to procure for our gardens, or other places of public resort.' The vote of thanks was passed unanimously. See Monthly notices of papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania (1867), pp. 57-8).