Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M85, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 81.09.03

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Charles Barnard to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1881-09-03. 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/1880-9/1881/81-09-03-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
MS annotation by M: 'Answ 6/9/81'. Letter not found. Attached to the MS is a slip of paper marked, in an unknown hand, '85 Gulgong River Cudgegong N.S.W.', and by J. H. Willis, 'Dr. Barnard (1881)'.
Gulgong
2
NSW.
3 Septr 1881
Dear Baron Mueller
Herewith, in separate parcel I am sending you a botanical specimen which to me is a curiosity. It is the long leaf-less string-like tendril a plant that has so closely entwined round a species of the Heath family ( ). But what I considered worth noting & singular, was the close attachment of the climber, by means of flattened discs placed at short intervals, to the supporting plant: — by which apparently it seems to derive its chief nourishment. In fact it appeared to me to have become a parasite. I should esteem it a favour if you would kindly let me have your opinion on this combination.
In the same box, I put in a dry specimen of some leaves of a plant in which I found a whitish mass, not unlike a fungoid growth in appearance. I placed it under the microscope but failed to recognize it as such.
I have the honour to remain
Yours faithfully
Chas E. Barnard. M.D.
Baron Ferd von Mueller
K.C.M.G., FRS &c