Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 78.08.29Preferred Citation:
James Chalmers to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1878-08-29. 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/1870-9/1878/78-08-29-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
1
MS found with a specimen of
Dendrobium johnsoniae
(MEL 604265). MS annotation by M: 'Answ 8/10/78'. Letter not found.
New Guinea 29 Aug. 1878
Baron Von Mueller
Melbourne
My dear Sir,
I send by way of Cooktown another parcel of plants, my third. Since collecting them
we have had nothing but rains, hence many if not all are destroyed. They are from
Amazon Bay, Stacey Island, Port Dudfield, country around Catamaran Bay, Discovery
Bay and a few from Mount Bohoboho 3360 feet high near to Milne Bay. We have just crossed
the Peninsula & since returning home have had no opportunity of drying. Should you
find a new one would you kindly name it after Miss Johnson a young lady in Sydney
who has materially assisted us in our late trip?
2
Dendrobium johnsoniae.
See B82.05.06, p. 95: 'Had it not been my particular desire to accede to a wish of
the enterprising discoverer of this magnificent orchid, that it should be named after
the "daughter of the Rev. Mr. Johnson of Surrey-Hills, New South Wales, a young lady,
who materially had assisted the New Guinea Mission," I should have hesitated to describe
this plant for publication, no leaves being transmitted with the flowers.'
You will I have no doubt see Mr Chester's report of our late trip, I am sending my
report home.
3
A report by Henry Chester, 'Judicial Commissioner', to the Queensland Colonial Secretary,
dated 20 July 1878, was printed in the
Brisbane courier
12 August 1878, p. 3; an extract was published in the
Argus
,
17 August 1878, p. 5. The report included a description of the country traversed with
Chalmers. A further report by Chester, dated 27 August 1878
,
was published in the
Brisbane courier
, 23 September 1878, p. 5,
and
extracts were published in the
Argus
,
28 September 1878, p. 9. The report sent by Chalmers was published in the
Australian town and country journal
(Sydney), 14 September 1878, pp
.
11-12.
We leave for home about the beginning of next year. I am in hopes of making one or
two more tours & have one good one before me & if time permits I hope to accomplish
4
See also J. Chalmers to M, 10 November 1881.
I write hurriedly. With kind regards
Believe me
Yours respectfully
James Chalmers
P.S. Should you name one after Miss Johnson would you send her a description of it.
Revd Johnson
226 Albion Street
Surrey Hills
Sydney
5
Miss Johnson
superimposed over address.