The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 22/9/77. ¶ ¶ I redeem my promise dear Dr Haig, to dedicate to you as a permanent mark of respect a new plant. It came from the western part of the great bight. ¶ The specimen of this new everlasting...

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Physical location:

Private hands. 77.09.22a

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Haig, 1877-09-22 [77.09.22a]. 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/1870-9/1877/77-09-22a-final.odt>, accessed June 16, 2026

MS is accompanied by an official 'On Her Majesty's Service | GOVERNMENT BOTANIST, Melbourne' envelope addressed to 'Dr Haig, J. P. &c Emerald Hill. '

A specimen of Helipterum Haigii is enclosed with the letter, with one of M's specimen labels: 'Helipterum Haigii F.v.M. Near Port Eucla. Richards.' The collector was almost certainly Police Trooper Thomas Richards of Fowler's Bay, SA, who collected many specimens for M near Eucla in 1877.

22/9/77.

I redeem my promise dear Dr Haig, to dedicate to you as a permanent mark of respect a new plant. It came from the western part of the great bight.

Great Australian Bight.

The specimen of this new everlasting is a poor one, but the species is pretty and well worthy of your honored name.

In publishing Helipterum Haigii in B77.10.02, p. 107, M described Haig as 'amico … studiorum meorum fautori benignissimo' [a most benign friend and supporter of my studies].

Regardfully

Ferd von Mueller