Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 72.01.04

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

David Boyle to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1872-01-04. 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/1870-9/1872/72-01-04-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
Published in Pretlove (2012), p. 83. MS found with a specimen of Cyathea cunninghamii (MEL 224427) but appears to have nothing to do with this specimen which was not collected until 1879. Another specimen of Cyathea cunninghamii (MEL 224426), also collected in 1879, is accompanied by an unpublished Latin description by M of Cyathea boylei.
Nunawading
2
Vic.
Jan. 4th/72
Dear Sir
I have found some of the tall Palm like tree ferns — in a deep Elivated Gully on the Eastern side of the Dandinong ranges the stems are thin at the thickest 3 inches in diameter near the ground narrowest not much thicker than your wrist the stem resembles that of Caythea
3
Cyathea?
Excelsa and the Fronds similar they rise one above another alternately not in rings like alsophila — over the Fronds of one which may be a veriety as it was found in an other place was 7 or 8 feet in length and was Erict the other tender and not so long hanging down very graicefull — It was near-night and I had not time to eximen the Locality well But I saw 2 or three one was about 20 feet high and the other Higher — a small one I brought away with me I had to carry it 3 miles on my shoulder I do not think it Alsophila R.
4
Alsophila rebeccae?
— or Lechhardiana
5
Alsophila leichhardtiana?
nither is it the same Fern I sent you last
I firmly belive it to be a Caythea. It may be C. medullaria
6
Cyathea medullaris?
However I intend going up again nix week to try and get one or more in fructification they look splindi
Your Respectfully
David Boyle
Baron Von Mueller Esq
Bot Gardens
please write me by Post