The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Surveyor Generals ¶ Office Sydney, ¶ 17 July 77 ¶ Dear Baron, ¶ ¶ I enclose the seed of the Pittosporum of Howes Island ¶ and young plant in seed leaf. The germination appears to me to be unusual, a...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M9, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 77.07.17

Plant names

Pittosporum
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Preferred Citation:

Robert Fitzgerald to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1877-07-17. 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/1870-9/1877/77-07-17-final.odt>, accessed June 15, 2026

MS annotated: 'Found with a specimen that does not relate to this letter'. MS annotation by M: 'Answ 20/7/77'. Letter not found.

Surveyor Generals

Office Sydney,

17 July 77

Dear Baron,

I enclose the seed of the of Howes Island

Lord Howe Island. Fitzgerald was sent to Lord Howe’s Island in November 1876 to investigate and report on the state of the islanders who had been reported 'to be living in a condition of adversity and hardship'. His party included John Duff of the Sydney Botanic Gardens, while mainly intended to collect plants, would also be able to offer a view on the 'soil and general resources of the island' (Sydney morning herald, 20 November 1876, p. 5). Fitzgerald (1877) is a general account of the journey, and Fitzgerald (1877a) is his official report.

and young plant in seed leaf. The germination appears to me to be unusual, also a plant said to be poisonous (?) for name (and properties of which if known) I should feel obliged.

Yours truly,

Robt D Fitzgerald.