Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter nor found. M quoted the text given here in M to Gardeners' chronicle , November 1873 (in this edition as 73-11-00b), which he must have put in the mail to England no later than early November 1873 (but probably after he wrote M to L. Bernays, 8 November 1873, because, had he received Fitzalan’s letter by then, he would have been able to write more positively in the paragraph numbered 3 in that letter).

When I sent you the first lot, I kept seven myself (from 3 to 4 feet high). Of these two made leaves in about six months, remained green for a month or more, and then decayed away. The others remained dormant till about a month ago (therefore over a year) when two more made fronds vigorously, and fine healthy tops. The other three are still dormant, but perfectly sound. As soon as I read your letter

2

Letter not found.

I went (as desired) and carefully removed the earth off one of those which have fronds. I found that it had formed several fine succulent roots from the main root, each as thick as a finger.

3

From Fitzalan’s report, M concluded that ‘The possibility of moving Cycad stems with impunity is demonstrated therefore beyond doubt’.