Document information
Physical location:
D73/12856, unit 672, VPRS 3991/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 73.10.04Preferred Citation:
William Odgers to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1873-10-04. 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/1870-9/1873/73-10-04-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
Memo
With reference to the Govt Botanists requisition for printed labels I am directed
by the Hon. the Chief Secretary to suggest that the sample be altered in the manner
indicated by Mr Francis
1
Note attached to MS written by J. Francis on 3 October 1873: 'Point out (first) we suggested alternatives to Dr Mueller'. A sample label attached
to M's letter has 'BOTANICAL MUSEUM OF MELBOURNE' at the top and 'FERD. MUELLER, PH. & M.D.' at the bottom. MS annotation in pencil, 4 October 1873, in an unknown hand: 'Memo
(with sample) to Gov Botanist' and 'Hold pending reply'.
On the back of the memo M replied on 5 October: 'I beg to point out respectfully,
that the name and authority of the phytographer give the real value to Museum plants.
Hence all over the world the name of the phytographer is given on the labels. The
present ones have been in use for two years in all interchanges, and a similar kind
of label (sample attached) has been used under successive ministries for 15 years
before.' On 8 September Francis ordered: 'The labels are to be printed as I indicated',
and the requisition was 'forwarded with label to the Govt. Printer' on 9 October.
W. H. Odgers
4.10.73
The Govt Botanist
&c&c&c