Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1858-70, f. 433. 70.05.20

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1870-05-20. 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/1870-9/1870/70-05-20-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

Melbourne bot Garden
20/5/70
Herewith, dear Dr Hooker, I beg to send you a curious
Ranunculus

Search for Ranunculus in

, just discovered by Mr Th. Kirk at Waikati.
1
Waikato? NZ.
In its dwarf state it resembles forms of
Limosella aquatica

Search for Limosella aquatica in

. Perhaps you have an opportunity to make it known.
2
Presumably
Ranunculus

Search for Ranunculus in

limosella in Kirk (1871). Kirk wrote: 'I am indebted to my friend, Dr. F. v. Mueller, for valuable notes on this curious little plant, for which I have adopted the name proposed by him'. M's notes not found.
Change by all means the specific name, if you think proper.
I have not time to write much. The month of May is to me what to the Squatter is the shearing time and to the farmer the reaping time. I have to select in this month approximately 70,000 plants for gardens of churches, school & cemeteries, and now I am suddenly called on to bring in a return on the expenditure and property of my Department since 1857, when I became Director. I hope this return will do me some good when my Departmental vote comes before Parliament next week .
3
See M to J. McCulloch, 23 June 1870. The Return was requested by the Member for Collingwood, Mr Everard, but was not available when the Legislative Assembly debated, and agreed, the vote for the Garden on 26 May (see Argus, 8 July 1870, p. 7). The Return was tabled on 7 July 1870 (see Argus, 8 July 1870, p. 5).
With best wishes for you
Ferd von Mueller