Ferdinand von Mueller

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MS found with a specimen of Agrimonia eupatoria (MEL 2227034). MS annotation by M: 'Rec & answ 15/12/71'. Letter not found.

Haroldston

Armidale New England

N. S. Wales

5th December 1871

My dear Dr Mueller,

I received your letter of the 26th ultimo

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Letter not found.

with much pleasure, and now, under separate cover, send you some specimens of the plant required, "

Agrimonia Eupatoria

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L ." I found it growing about this place on a trap formation in bunches, and is strictly indigenous — my attention was drawn to this plant several years ago, but without the slightest idea of what you have informed me, that it was not known in this Hemisphere .

There are not so many plants as there used to be about here owing to sheep, and running fires, the latter having destroyed a great deal this season — the altitudes of this portion of New England, namely, Armidale, (this place being four and a half miles S. W. of it,) is about three thousand two or 3 hundred feet — these plants A. E. L.

3

i.e.

Agrimonia Eupatoria

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L.

are growing in an enclosed, unbroken, original, piece of land which has never been in any person's hands but mine and could therefore by no possibility have been introduced. I may as well say here, that all I have sent you, or will send, are indigenous, and if a doubt should arise in my mind I will carefully note it — If you require it, I will send you bye and by some more specimens with seed &c as soon as they ripen — I have several plants to send you now as soon as I can find time to put them up — enclosed, I forward a sketch

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Sketch not found.

of a bulbous plant which I have not noticed until this year, it has only one leaf as represented — the dried specimens shall be sent with the others — date when in flower on drawing — I have not had much time lately for looking after specimens, and be assured I never lose an opportunity of searching about for fresh and new things it affords me a pleasure I cannot describe — that, and the use of my pencil . With respect to the Bellingen Ranges, I cannot advise you at present as to the best mode of getting them explored, I have been intending to get leave for the purpose of going there for some time past, but have been unable to do it as yet, not that I presume for one moment to imagine that I know anything of botany, yet an innate love for all that is beautiful in creation would enable me to collect many specimens for your consideration, and where a difficulty would occur by reason of size &c, &c, my pencil would supply the deficiency —

Baron Ferd von Mueller

&c &c &c

Melbourne