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Physical location:
RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1871-81, f. 26. 71.11.07Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1871-11-07. 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/1870-9/1871/71-11-07-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
Melbourne bot. Garden
7/11/71.
Did you learn, dear Dr Hooker, while you were on the Atlas, about the existence of
a perennial melon, which sends its roots very deep into the ground and produces a
fruit with long thorns It is said to grow in N.W. Africa, and I should imagine, that
it must be between the Atlas and Senegal in the western tracts of the Sahara.
1
No response to this request has been found. Hooker visited Morocco and climbed the
Atlas Mountains in April-May 1871.
I fancy that this plant, which is much relished by the negroes, would be of advantage
for Australian deserts, as cattle &c would not destroy it.
With best regards
Ferd. von Mueller