The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 14/9/66 ¶ ¶ You will have learned, dear Dr Hooker, from Mr M'Nabs remarks published at Edinburgh, ¶ how well one of my Calico-covered Cases brought to England ¶ all ¶ the plants therein sent to Pr...

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Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1858-70, f. 237. 66.09.14

Plant names

Correa aemula
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Drosera
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Heleocharis sphacelata
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Hypoxideae
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Liliaceae
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Melanthaceae
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Mesembryanthemum aequilaterale var minus
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Prostanthera spinosa
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Ranunculus Lyallii
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Scaevola suaveolens
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Stylidium
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1866-09-14. 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/1860-9/1866/66-09-14-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

MS annotation: 'Answd. Nov 19/66’ Letter not found.

14/9/66

You will have learned, dear Dr Hooker, from Mr M'Nabs remarks published at Edinburgh,

The Transactions of the Botanical Society. of Edinburgh, vol. 8 (1866) pp. 482-4 recorded that at the meeting of the Society on 14 June 1866:

Mr M'Nab placed on the table a small case of plants, just received from Dr Mueller, of the Botanic Garden, Melbourne, and brought home by Dr H. Madden. This case contained seven species of plants, viz. Poa ramigera, Selliera radicans, Wittsteinia vacciniacea, Goodenia amplexans, Mniarum biflorum, Eurybia Traversii, and Mesembryanthemum australe, all established in pots previous to being sent away.

It is rarely that we see comparatively soft-wooded plants brought home in such good condition, and in so simple a manner. The case was 105 days on the voyage, and the plants only once received water, but had occasionally sprinklings of fresh water over the cotton covering. This amateur case, which is easily lifted with one hand, was kept on deck during the voyage, and so placed that no salt water could reach it. It is thus constructed, — a rough unplaned old box, 13 inches long, 11 inches broad, and 6 inches deep; has two upright pieces of wood, 16 inches long and 2 inches broad, nailed, one in the centre of each end of the box, and a piece of the same breadth and thickness nailed across the top, giving it a ridge appearance, over which a piece of thick unbleached cotton is stretched, and firmly tacked down. the ends are likewise covered with the same material. It is certainly an improvement on the old cumbrous earth cases, requiring two or more men to lift them … the case … costing not more than 1s. or 1s. and 6d. altogether … will be found a great benefit to amateurs … The pots containing the plants fill the box, and are kept from moving by having a little damp moss introduced between them, and also over the surface of the pots. In the ordinary Wardian cases … the plants are turned out of pots and planted in the soil, often only a few days before being sent away. In such circumstances no new roots can be formed. This would require … three of four weeks … well established plants sent in pots [can be sent at] a few hours notice . . . The light which the cotton allows to penetrate, and the air which reaches the plants through its fine meshes, seems to be more favourable [to] delicate or soft-wooded plants … than the heavy airtight glazed Wardian cases … Such earth cases are very beneficial for all hard-wooded plants, if previously established in them, and should be employed when the transmission of plants on a large scale is required; but for amateurs wishing to convey one or two pot plants, the small cotton-covered case will be found the most profitable.

The text of the report was reprinted in both Press (Canterbury, NZ), 30 October 1866, p. 3, and North Otago times, 6 November 1866, p. 3, with the same introductory comment: 'The following account of a plan invented by Dr. Mueller, of Melbourne, for transmitting plants to England by the long sea voyage, … may be interesting to persons who wish to take home or to import from England choice specimens of plants.'

how well one of my Calico-covered Cases brought to England all the plants therein sent to Prof Balfour. I now continue the Experiment in sending a few plants as yet not in British Gardens, under the fostering care of the Commander of the Norfolk for your establishment, vize Mesembr. aequilaterale var minus

Variety not listed in APNI.

Ferd Mueller, forming a most expansive and close turf; ; , a West Austr , Ferd Mu Ferd Mueller.

Should this method again succeed,

The plants arrived dead at Kew (Kew Inwards book, 1859-67, p. 354, entry number 323, 13 December 1866).

I will then send by each clippership a few plants. I have in readiness. Of terrestrial Orchids, & small & I am getting now an immense supply of tubers & bulbs secured, also of e.

Your regardful

Ferd. Mueller