The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 8/1/77. ¶ ¶ Since I wrote, ¶ dear Dr Hector, I only got into my hands among the letters & publications accumulated during my absense, the highly valuable geologic documents of your important departm...

Document information

Physical location:

Folder 2, box 64, James Hector, correspondence received, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Archives, Wellington. 78.01.08b

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to James Hector, 1878-01-08 [78.01.08b]. 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/1870-9/1878/78-01-08b-final.odt>, accessed June 16, 2026

8/1/77.

M's reference to his absence suggests that this letter was written in January 1878, not 1877, since M was away, in WA, from October until December 1877, while his correspondence for late 1876 does not give any indication of his being out of Melbourne. The letter's being written in January 1878 also fits better with the subject-matter of M to J. Hector, 28 July 1877, if this is the letter to which M refers (see n. 2).

Since I wrote,

M to J. Hector, 28 July 1877 (in this edition as 77-07-28a), in which M thanked Hector for other publications?

dear Dr Hector, I only got into my hands among the letters & publications accumulated during my absense, the highly valuable geologic documents of your important department. With grateful acknowledgement of your kindness

Ferd. von Mueller.

MS address in M's hand: 'O.H.M.S. | Dr. Hector, FRS., CMG., | Director of the geologic Survey | Wellington | New Zealand'.