Document information
Physical location:
Library, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. 73.10.07Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to George Berthoud, 1873-10-07. 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/1870-9/1873/73-10-07-final.odt>, accessed June 16, 2026
Melbourne
7/10/73.
I was pleasingly surprised, dear Mr Berthoud, when I got your photogram, which I will
put into the long series of autographed card-portraits of naturalists in my Album.
1
The photograph, made by Bent photographers, Sandhurst (later Bendigo, Vic) remains
in M's surviving album in the library, Royal Botanic gardens Melbourne.
As regards Insects I can do little for you myself, but a young Gardener in the Department
here, Mr French,
studies them since years enthusiastically, and might give you much information on
the native species.
2
Charles French Snr.
In reference to plants I would remark that even new discoveries might be made by you,
if you collect the rushes and sedges and such like plants, including all the smaller
sorts; also any kind of water plants, even the minute sorts, but you must always endeavour
to get the fruit
The petal enclosed in your letter is from an Iris, which however is immigrated
You should dry two sets of plants, number both correspondingly and keep one set, while
you forward an other. I can then give you the names. Dont look for
fine
plants. Every collector picks them up. The less conspicuous kinds are those, which
I yet need from the Campaspe.
3
Campaspe River, Vic.
your
Ferd von Mueller
I have no photogram left of mine, but will send one hereafter.
A friend in Germany wants freshwater shells, especially minute sorts. So if you find
any, please secure them for me.
Iris