Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M76, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 79.06.20Preferred Citation:
John Thurston to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1879-06-20. 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/1870-9/1879/79-06-20-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
1
MS annotation by M: 'Answ 7/8/79'. Letter not found.
My dear Sir.
I enclose you a Circular from the Italian Government relative to the diseases &c of
the Citron family Also an extract from a newspaper and one from a book I lately read.
2
Enclosures not found.
I am quite alarmed at the destruction caused here by one of the "Coccidae". It has only appeared here of late years, but it is ruining every orange and lime tree
in the place.
It attacks numerous other plants and I have even found it in the far bush on ferns. The natives have no name for it, and it was not here when I came to the country
in 1865.
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i.e. Fiji.
Most likely this coccus is the one referred to in the printed extract enclosed and
we may have imported it as there described.
Some years ago I remember that in Mauritius they suffered from a parasite to which
the local name of "pou blanc" was given but a "pou rouge"
was introduced which ate up its white brother and at same time did no harm.
4
white louse; red louse.
If with your great knowledge of plant life you could give me any advice on this point
I should be greatly obliged.
It appears to me that the use of "Kerosene or linseed oil" even if effective could
never be carried out to any extent and I am anxious to know whether the insect has
a "natural enemy" in Australia that could be imported.
I am preparing a set of Ferns which I hope to send you shortly.
Believe me
My dear Sir
Very faithfully yours
Jno B Thurston.