The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Monbulk Creek ¶ Apl 19. 1880 ¶ To Sir F. von Mueller ¶ Dear Sir ¶ ¶ I hurriedly enclosed the fern spores a few days ago as I wanted to post them quickly but as the post was missed I now take the firs...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 80.04.19

Preferred Citation:

John Cole to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1880-04-19. 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/1880-9/1880/80-04-19-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

MS found with a specimen of Cyathea cunninghamii (MEL 224426) collected in the Dandenong Ranges, Vic., 1880, by J. C. Cole.

Monbulk Creek

Vic.

Apl 19. 1880

To Sir F. von Mueller

Dear Sir

I hurriedly enclosed the fern spores a few days ago as I wanted to post them quickly but as the post was missed I now take the first opportunity of sending them to you they were taken from splendid specimens one tree above 30 & the other about 40 feet high I trust you will now decide what species it belongs to

If you write to me please address your letter to the Richmond Nursery as I expect to leave here in a few days

I am

very faithfully Yours

John C. Cole

MS is accompanied by a newspaper cutting ('Horticultural notes', Leader (Melbourne), 10 April 1880, p. 8) describing tree ferns in Cole's nursery in Richmond. The article includes an explanation of the identification and naming of Cyathea Boylei by M.