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Gray Herbarium Archives Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. 68.02.05b

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Ferdinand von Mueller to Asa Gray, 1868-02-05 [68.02.05b]. 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/1860-9/1868/68-02-05b-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

5/2/68.
Just almost at the close of the monthly mail, dear Prof. Gray, I receive simultaneously your most kind letters of the 15. Nov & 2 Dec.
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Letters not found.
I feel quite ashamed having on so great a man as you burdened such enormity of work in obtaining through your friendly aid some of your noble American trees in quantity. I feel almost sorry now having made such in inconsiderate inroad on your time, and the only consolation is, that you may — and I trust you will — one day cross the pacific ocean & on a visit here enjoy the shade of trees we raised through your goodness. The walnuts come on so excellently, that I have to build like for your oak a special large nursery shade, there being then 5 special shades, one for Cinchonas, 1 for Chinese tea, 1 for Pines, 1 for Oaks & now 1 for Walnuts. Speaking of Cinchonas I might at once mention, that in all likelihood they would prove a great acquisition in your cotton-country, i.e. in the rich forest glens of any plantations. I have had my plants partly out last winter (altogether I have about 10,000 plants of various Cinchonae), & I find that C. Condaminea will bear a temperature of 31° Fahrenheit. The dry summerheat this species has stood in sheltered but otherwise open vallies also.
It is most, kind that your friend Prof Eaton will spend time on the Algae. Perhaps it is a pity, still it is a useful & at the same time recreative labor after severe mental work & will lead to extended knowledge in that branch of science. I have a large case now packing for you with Phanerogamae, but I am still engaged in preliminary labors on the 4th vol of the flor. of Austr,
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Bentham (1863-78), published in December 1868 (TL2).
to comprise the Monopetaleae (sine Compositis
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without the Composites.
) & thus my distribution of Museum plants goes on slowly. You will however as a slight recompense for all your goodness get many of our tropical species this time. The vegetation of this continent brings gradually many interesting forms, thus lately
Aldrovanda

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,
Erycibe

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,
Aniseia

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,
Cucurbita

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,
Cirrhopetalum

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,
Spathoglottis

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,
Dracaena

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(from
Coryline

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4
Cordyline?
in testa, albumen & Embryo different),
Geophila

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,
Graptophyllum

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,
Thunbergia

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,
Bambusa

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,
Chrysophyllum

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,
Bassia

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&c.
It is delightful to contemplate, that you will give us a synopsis of N. Amer vegetation.
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A. Gray (1878-97).
Your Manual
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A. Gray (1866).
you so kindly sent, will be a boon to me. It will bring so many well matured enlightened & expansive views
To Prof. Eaton, Mr. Osborne
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J. W. Osborne?
and Prof. Agassiz I can only send this time my salutation, but I will write soon to all these excellent men.
In the box, which I am packing, I will enclose several packages of seeds as a counter gift to those generous donors, who supported your movement in my favor. Our
Acacia

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s & Eucalypts would thrive well in the southern states & as all these trees are useful in some way or the other, they would not merely be objects of curiosity.
I am rapidly proceeding with the 6th vol of the Fragmenta;
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Fascicles 41-47 (200 pp.) of vol. 6 were published between July 1867 and June 1868. Two further fascicles followed in December 1868 but printing of the index was delayed and bound volumes were not issued until August 1869 (B69.08.01).
the 5th
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B67.02.07.
will have been received by you through your excellent Consul, the General Latham, who with his family occasionally honors me with his visit.
The package of Pineseeds by the Panama mail will probably arrive in the course of this day, but not in time to refer to them in this letter.
To Mr Peabody I feel very much obliged indeed. Indeed I feel quite touched with all your kindness there. I have only one tree of
Pinus australis

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yet, an imported one, not yet in bearing nor likely to bear for years to come. Neither have I large plants of P. Strobus. We require in this country such noble trees in masses for all the various public plantations far and near.
Now only much cordial & grateful salutation yet & my best wishes for your health, happiness & the glorious progress of your labors.
Ferd. Mueller.