Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne

26/1/75

I write only a few lines, dear Mr Bentham, as I am just preparing for a weeks exploration in the backranges of Circular Head,

1

Tas. M arrived at Circular Head from Melbourne 28 January and 'left on the following day with Emmett, proceeding along the South Road for the Hellyer River' (Launceston examiner (Tas), 4 February 1875, p. 2). In M to R. Ramsay, 6 February 1875, M reported his return to Melbourne that day. For notes on the itinerary, see Emmett's letter to the editor dated 6 February, Launceston examiner, 18 February 1875, p. 3.

the area being new, as Dr Milligan did not go beyond the Surrey-Hills. I know already a new Pittosporum (P. Emmettii)

2

Not in APNI (accessed 14 January 2020), and not listed in B89.12.03. See M to S. Emmett, 25 December 1874 (In this edition as 74-12-25b).

from there, also a new Richea seems to occur there. But the main object is to institute some comparisons generally between the two opposite coasts as regards their vegetation.

I shall be also glad to escape for a week from the dreadful heat of Melbourne at this season.

Miss Charsley writes that Mrs Hooker is dead. I do trust that so sad a calamity has not befallen Dr Hooker, nor do I see any notice of this mournful event, if really it happened in such journals as I still have access to. If it pleased providence to call this accomplished Lady so early away from her worldly career, then pray express to Dr Hooker my condolence.

3

Frances Hooker died on 13 November 1874. See Allan (1967).

At last, a few days ago I got Boecklers essays on the Cyperaceae from the Linnaea, but had no time yet to study them.

4

Boeckeler (1868-77), or to the series of articles in Linnaea that were later consolidated (see TL2, title number 580).

I had mine done except Schoenus & Chaetospora.

5

See M to G Bentham, 25 December 1874, especially n. 1.

The Berlin collection is evidently very poor in plants of this order from Australia, and I do not think that I shall be able to maintain all the new Austr. species of Boeckler and concur in all his views. But as he spent 11 or 12 years on these limited investigations without even touching on Carex, he must have worked with more sacrifice of time on these plants than either you or myself would be able to do. So he may be some help to us in his writings.

Should you come to the Palmae, before Wendland sends you mine,

6

M had lent his 'whole normal collection' of palms to Wendland several years earlier but then had 'up to date not a single line from him on the subject of their elucidation, nor has he returned the original specimens' (M to E. Ramsay, 5 July 1874). In the meantime, M asked Wendland to forward the collection to Bentham who, however, did not receive it until late 1876; see G. Bentham to M, 15 November 1876; G. Bentham to M, 18 October 1876; and G. Bentham to M, 30 April 1877.

then you must kindly request him to forward them to you from Herrenhausen.

Remember, my dear Mr Bentham, that my position is all but ruined,

7

This and the following paragraph are responding to G. Bentham to M, 17 November 1874.

though I have had hardly any sympathy either here or abroad. My only hold yet is the continuation of the Flora! Therefore it would be unjust to me, if not cruel under the circumstances to leave the Austr. Governments under the impression that with the 7th volume it was absolutely completed. The main series would, but not the supplements nor the cryptogamic volumes. I should of course not for a moment think to use your name or the title of the work for a continuation, but a continuation in some similar form must appear under the progress of discovery. To this I must cling or the last of my official position must vanish, while I sacrificed my best years and all my private property for the Australian flora. You are aware that I objected on etymologic grounds to the title of the work;

8

e.g. M to G. Bentham, 5 February 1866.

hence I certainly shall not use it. The fragmenta — I should not think — are of such difficulty to use, as I gave a full index to each volume. What would the difficulty have been, had I scattered my observations through the journals of many nations? You seem to think, dear Mr Bentham, that it is so easy for me to issue volumes in a connected form. But who is to pay for the printing? The fragmenta went on only at 60 or 80 pages a year!

If the various Governments here are left under the idea, that the Flora is complete, I shall of course not get for the here very expensive printing the subsidies, hitherto enjoyed by Reeve's firm, hence the kind of work, so wisely urged by you, could not appear. It is also best, that observations, when made should be published at once and even in an unconnected form. The rearrangement is subsequently easy enough.

It is with wonder that I hear of your finishing the genera of Asclepiadeae,

9

G. Bentham to M, 18 October 1874 (in this edition as 74-10-18c). See Bentham & Hooker (1862-83), vol. 2, part 2.

where the microscopic details are only recognized with such difficulty. You are the only one among Phytographers who has done work of such kind at so venerable an age, though my friend Ehrenberg workes at 80 still among infusoria most zealously and lucidly.

Have you read my report to our Parliament, published a few months ago.

10

B74.09.01.