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Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1858-70, ff. 415-6. 69.12.31a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1869-12-31 [69.12.31a]. 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/1860-9/1869/69-12-31a-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

New Years eve 1869.
It is extremely pleasing to me, dear Dr Hooker, that the big
Todea

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proved so attractive at Kew.
1
See J. Hooker to M, 10 September 1869.
Probably you will devote a plate to it in the bot. Magazine, to give all the world a good idea of the huge dimensions of this extraordinar fern.
2
J. Hooker (1865-1904), vol. 98, tab 5954; see also J. Hooker to M, April 1872 (in this edition as 72.04.00).
Some individual plants in our ranges must be many hundred years old, and when once full attention is drawn to the age and size of these ferns, then unquestionably a brisk trade from South Australia and more particularly from Victoria, N.S. Wales, Queensland, Tasmania & South Africa will spring up in these plants, without which no large conservatory anywhere should be. I am obliged for your information respecting the safe arrival of the plants by the Ship "Norfolk"
I dare say the illustrious Prof Owen will be pleased with the imitation in Gypsum of our greatest Goldmass.
3
See M to J. Hooker, 11 August 1869 (in this edition as 69-08-11b).
The specimen cast to which you refer as lodged at the School of Mines must assuredly be a different and smaller one, in as much as the present one was only found in 1869 & none but this one cast went ever to England, nor is likely another to be sent!
Dr Welwitch's interesting information on the Pa[nicum]s
4
Not found.
proved very acceptable.
Mr C Moore, who paid me this week a visit, is likely to accompany Earl Bellmore to Lord Howe's Island on short trip. But our maingathering of plants will be through an intelligent youth resident on the island, who will be able to watch the plants at all seasons.
The photogram just received I shall treasure much.
5
There is a photograph of Hooker in M's album at MEL that may be the one referred to here.
The Aloes, Orchids &c arrived safely and I feel very glad for all these boons from your great treasures. I look forward with gratitude to the Pitcherplants
Eriophorum

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which are to come by the "George Thomson"
6
George Thompson.
— I am glad to say, that I raised
Ranunculus Flammula

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from the seeds sent by you. I wished much I had R. Lingua, &
Calla palustris

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along side of it in my garden lake. Do the Pitcherplants not produce seeds? I raised Nepenthes distillatoria from seeds.
I have written for the R.S. of Tasmania an essay on the plants observed by me in my journey to Mt Field &c.
7
B71.13.05. The paper was read at the meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania on 8 March 1870, after which a special vote of thanks was proposed to M as a 'savant of such world-wide fame, and whose scientific labours are so much greater than we are aware of [who communicates] so freely with this Society, when so many other corresponding members are silent' (Papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania for 1870, p. 4).
Dr Becklers alpine photograms
8
Not identified.
are splendid.
With best wishes for the new year
Ferd. von Mueller