The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 1/3/81 ¶ ¶ The diagnosis of some of the Asters and Acacias is still not quite established, and so, dear Mr Tepper, I have to let you wait like the missionary Mr Kempe for some of the species names. W...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M198, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 81.03.01

Plant names

Acacia longifolia
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Aster
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Stackhousia
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Otto Tepper, 1881-03-01. 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/81-03-01>, accessed September 11, 2025

MS annotation by Tepper: 'Reply 31.3.81 with Spec. of Water Mallee Suppd. Verbena officinalis (McKay) & 2 Algae'. See O. Tepper to M, 31 March 1881.

1/3/81

Die Diagnostik einiger der n und Acacien ist noch nicht ganz festgestellt, und so, lieber Herr Tepper, habe ich Sie wie den Hr. Missionär Kempe warten lassen auf einige der Arten Namen. Wenn die Austellungs-Geschäfte vorüber sind (ich bin noch an drei Jurien) — werde ich die kritischen Arten im Zusammenhange und eingehend Durchstudiren für Acacia, und einige andere Genera. Ich bin seit Jahren nicht in eines Photographen Atelier gewesen, und so schuldige Ihnen auch noch eine Rücksendung für Ihr Lichtbild in meinem Album. Auch dies soll der Vergessenheit entrissen werden.

Mein Gedächtniss ist etwas trügerisch geworden, u in grossen Gattungen wie Acacia (mit etwa 300 Arten) mag ich die eine oder andere Species wohl verkannt haben, da es meistens an Zeit zum Nachschlagen gebricht.

Gestern z. B. (Sonntag) war ich elf Stunden unausgesetzt beschäftigt, um einen besuchenden Herrn (mir Freund) seine 4-5000 Arten von Pflanzen aus Riverina zu benennen, u doch glaube ich nicht, dass sich ein Fehler einschlich u nur 3 od 4 Pflanzen u zwar Acacien blieben als unvollständig gesammelt unbennant. Ich habe wohl jetzt alle Ihre Arten in allen Stadien u kann also auch Ihnen gerecht werden. Übrigens sind manche Acacien grosse Abänderungen unterworfen, die in A. longifolia zum fast Unglaublichen reichen.

Sie ehrend der Ihre

Ferd. von Mueller.

Finden Sie Unterschiede in den Früchten der Arten?

1/3/81

The diagnosis of some of the s and Acacias is still not quite established, and so, dear Mr Tepper, I have to let you wait like the missionary Mr Kempe for some of the species names. When the exhibition matters are finished

International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1880-1.

(I am still on three juries)

M had multiple roles in the organization of the Exhibition: he was a Commisioner for the exhibition, a member of the Intercolonial Committee, the Districts of Victoria Committee, the Vegetable Products Committee (International Exhibition (1880-1881: Melbourne) (1880), passim). He also was a member of the juries for Section 13 and 22, dealing with Perfumery, Chemical and Pharmacuetical Products, Chemical processes for bleaching, dying; Section 19, Products of the Cultivation of Forests and of the Trades appertaining thereto; and Section 31 and 32, dealing with Class 67:Cereals, farinaceous products and products derived from them, Class 68: Bread and pastry, Class 69: Fatty substances used as food, milk and eggs, Class 71: Vegetables and fruits, Class 72: Condiments and stimulants, sugar and confectionary (International Exhibition (1880-1881: Melbourne) (1882), passim).

I'll study the critical species in context and depth for Acacia, , and some other genera. I have not been in a photographic atelier for years and so also still owe you a return for your photograph in my album.

Tepper's photograph survives in M's album in the library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

This shall also be saved from oblivion.

My memory has become somewhat deceitful and in large genera such as Acacia (with about 300 species) I suppose I may have misjudged one or the other species, as usually there is a lack of time to look things up.

Yesterday for example (Sunday) I was occupied continuously for eleven hours, in order to name 4-5000 plants of a visiting gentleman (friend of mine) from the Riverina,

Riverina district, NSW. Visitor not identified.

and yet I do not think that an error crept in and only 3 or 4 plants and in fact Acacias remained unnamed as incompletely collected. I probably now have all your species in all stages and can therefore also do justice to you. By the way several Acacias are subject to large variations, which in A. longifolia reach to the almost unbelievable.

Respectfully your

Ferd. von Mueller

Do you find differences in the fruits of the species?