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73.09.14

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Ferdinand von Mueller to Eduardo Olivera, 1873-09-14. 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/1870-9/1873/73-09-14-final.odt>, accessed May 15, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from ‘Crónica’ [Chronicle], Anales de la Sociedad Rural Argentina, 1873, vol. 7, pp 344-5 (B73.10.02). It is preceded by a statement saying that the letter from M accepting his honorary membership and announcing that seeds have been sent via London is translated below.
Melbourne, 14 de Setiembre de 1873.
Honorable senõr:
Tengo el gusto de acusar recibo de su estimada carta en que me comunica la elevada distincion que de mí ha hecho la Sociedad Rural Argentina, nombrándome socio honorario, y aseguro á vd. y á sus distinguidos cólegas que aprecio en estremeo esa manifestacion de bondad y que me siento mucho mas animado para ayudarla en sus propósistos á esa importante corporacion.
El Sr. Isaac Pearson ha tenido la amabilidad de traerme el diploma de socio que conservaré siempre entre mis mejores tesoros y la valiosa coleccion de semillas que han llegado en perfecto estado de conservacion.
Por el vapor de este mes he enviado á Lóndres al cuidado de los señores C. Blackith y Ca. un paquete de semillas para esa sociedad.
Semillas frescas de la alta y fuerte Palma-Lili de Nueva Zelandia (cordyline) bastante para obtener muchos miles de plantas para el adorno de Buenos Aires.
Semillas en pequeña cantidad, de Eucaliptus fissilis, obliqna
2
Typesetter’s error for obliqua?
y rostrata; este último es el celebrado Redgum tree, gomero colorado, cuya madera es incorruptible tanto en tierra como en agua.
Semillas, algunas frescas, de la alta Palma-Nika de Nueva Zelandia, "Area
3
Typesetter’s error for Areca?
(Kentia) Sapida", palma de las estremidades del hemisferio del Sud.
Coma el clima de La Plata es semejante al del Sud de Australia, espero poder todabia introducir varios otros de nuestros valiosos árboles y plantas.
Tengo el honor, Sr. Presidente, de suscribirme respetuosamente.
Fernando Von Mueller
Melbourne, 14 September 1873
Honorable Sir,
I have the pleasure of acknowledging receipt of your esteemed letter in which you convey to me the high distinction that the Sociedad Rural Argentina has given to me, naming me an honorary member,
4
M's appointment as the 47th Honorary Member of the Society was made at the meeting held on 29 January 1873 ( Anales de la Sociedad Rural Argentina, 1873, vol. 7, pp. 61, 62).
and I assure you and your distinguished colleagues that I appreciate that demonstration of kindness and feel much more animated to help in the purposes of that important society.
Mr. Isaac Pearson has been kind enough to bring me the membership diploma
5
See Sociedad Rural Argentina to M, 1 February 1872.
that I will always keep among my best treasures and the valuable collection of seeds that have arrived in a perfect state of preservation.
6
Together with the Diploma, Pearson conveyed vols 4, 5, and 6 of the Anales of the Society and seeds of 'tala' [ Celtis tala ] and 'aquaraybay' [ Pimento sp? Schinus sp.?]; a variety of seeds from different provinces of Argentina had been requested and, when assembled, would be sent to Blackith and Co, M's London agents ('Simillas para Australia' [Seeds for Australia], Anales de la Sociedad Rural Argentina, 1873, vol. 7, p. 63).
By this month's steamer I have sent to London, to the care of Messrs. C. Blackith and Co., a package of seeds for the society:
fresh seeds of the high and strong Palm-Lilly from New Zealand (
Cordyline

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) enough to obtain many thousands of plants for the ornament of Buenos Aires.
a small quantity of seeds of
Eucalyptus fissilis

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, obliqua and rostrata ; the latter is the celebrated Redgum tree ,
7
The Spanish version has added here 'gomero colorado', i.e., 'red gum'.
the wood of which is incorruptible both on land and in water.
seeds, some fresh, from the high Nika Palm of New Zealand, " Areca ( Kentia ) Sapida ", a palm of the extremities of the Southern Hemisphere.
As the climate of La Plata is similar to that of the South of Australia, I hope to introduce several other valuable trees and plants.
8
A list of over 70 recipients of these seeds, in localities ranging from Patagonia to the Brazilian border, was published in the December issue of the Anales, pp. 414-5.
I have the honour, Mr. President, to sign myself respectfully, Ferdinand Von Mueller