Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 71.10.02b
Plant names
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Polypodium Scandens
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Polypodium Scandens
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Preferred Citation:
William Scott to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1871-10-02 [71.10.02b]. 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/1870-9/1871/71-10-02b-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
1
MS found with specimens of Microsorum pustulatum (MEL 2163590). M's labels date the specimens to 1871. Correspondent is William Scott
(1825-1917).
Sydney. Oct. 2d
Dear Sir
As I believe that portion of your great work
which treats of Ferns is not yet printed I take the liberty of sending you specimens
of two ferns which have I believe been improperly classed together under
. These ferns both grow in abundance about Mount Tomah,
the smaller being far the more plentiful. They resemble each other in their climbing
habit, in the localities in which they are found, and in both having simple as well
as pinnatifid fronds. My conviction that they are different species rests on the following
grounds. 1 The Sori in the larger fern are always round, in the smaller generally
oval.
2
Presumably Bentham (1863-78).
Polypodium Scandens
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3
NSW.
2 They grow side by side in exactly the same circumstances and sometimes creeping
over the same rock or tree.
3 The segments of larger sort are inclined invariably at a more acute angle than those
of the smaller.
4 They differ exceedingly in magnitude under exactly similar circumstances The fronds
of the larger sort being sometimes 34 inches long, those of the smaller sort seldom
if ever exceeding 12 inches.
5 After a very diligent search I have not succeeded in finding any intermediate forms
indicating a transition from one sort to the other.
6 Although the smaller sort abounds in some of the Kurrajong Gullies there is not
a single specimen of the larger sort to be found amongst them.
7 The disproportion in magnitude of the creeping stems is even greater than in the
fronds.
For the above reasons I think it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that these
Ferns are of different species.
Trusting that I have not troubled you to no purpose
I am dear Sir
Yours faithfully
W Scott
Hon Secy of the Royal Society
Dr Müller