Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1871-81, f. 163. 75.02.23

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to George Bentham, 1875-02-23. 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/1870-9/1875/75-02-23-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

Melbourne
23/2/75.
I am glad to learn from you by last mail, dear Mr Bentham, that the case with
Junceae

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,
Restiaceae

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&c safely arrived.
1
G. Bentham to M, 15 December 1874.
There is of course always great risk in trusting such unique treasures, on which the toil of 27 years adheres, on the long way of the ocean. Anxiety of loss induced me to work on these plants extensively before I despatched them.
2
For
Restiaceae

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see B73.08.01, pp. 64-101.
Cyperaceae

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were more scattered: B74.09.02, pp 238-40; B74.10.01, pp. 249-52; B74.11.01, pp. 255-74; B75.02.01, pp. 6-22; B75.03.01, pp. 23-40, B75.05.05, pp. 52-8. See also Lucas (2001) for notes on M's publication pattern following the decision that Bentham would prepare the Australian Flora.
What a gap otherwise in our works would be created, should unfortunately a whole case once be lost in a wreck.
There is however no hurry about the return sending of these two cases and I will keep the 3 other large cases (Cyperac. Gramin, Filic.) until you have done with these two. It will be far more advantage to science, if you proceed with the genera ,
3
Bentham & Hooker (1862-83).
than to devote your precious time to detail work on the Austr. flora.
4
See G. Bentham to M, 15 December 1874.
Indeed it has been all through these 12 years a source of regret to me, that your high experience should not rather have been brought to bear on African and other plants, affording more novelty.
I would myself have worked on in a more cheerful spirit and finally have come to England for a summer or two to clear up the last of the synonymy, most of it having been done here after all. As however so much research has been spent by me on the monocotyled. & ferns, there can be not much difficulty for you in completing the 7th volume. But let it by all means stand over at least so long, til all the
Dicotyledoneae

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for the genera are done.
Please add the enclosed plant to either
Milligania

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or Astelia, which differ only in capsular & baccate fruit. I have not seen the fruit of this one, which may be merely a dwarf var of
Astelia stylosa

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.
With my best regard
Ferd von Mueller
As yet not the slightest improvement has taken place in my ruined department! Surely Mr Darwin might reason & remonstrate with Mr Edw Wilson, his neighbour on behalf of a fellow worker in the field of nature.
I merely suggest that Baker as a specialist might look over the ferns. I never suggested his participation in actual authorship
5
See M to G. Bentham, 5 October 1874, and G. Bentham to M, 15 December 1874.