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RBG Kew, Letters to W. B. Hemsley, vol. 2 (Moo-Zah), ff. 7-8. 81.10.03a

Plant names

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Ferdinand von Mueller to William Hemsley, 1881-10-03 [81.10.03a]. 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/1880-9/1881/81-10-03a-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

3/10/81
Allow me to ask you, dear Mr Hemsley, whether in the progress of your researches on the plants of Mexico
1
Hemsley (1879-88).
for Godman's & Salvin's Biologia Centrali-Americana you could favor me with notes on the species of Pines, Oaks & other trees, which yield the timber largely in local use in Mexico, also with short information on the source of the best tan-bark of Mexico. I wish very much to have this information for the soon intended new edition of my work on “select plants for industrial culture”.
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B84.13.22 includes references to several additional Mexican oaks.
Doubtless you have several scientific correspondents in Central America, which could give us an insight into these important technologic matters from a scientific point of view. Their and your help will be fully acknowledged in my work.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller.
Is it really
Quercus magnolifolia

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3
Q. magnoliifolia? M used Q. magnolifolia in editions of his 'Select plants…'.
on which the native Silkworm of Mexico spins its cocoons?
4
Is it really ... cocoons is written on a separate folio (f. 8) of the MS.
In B84.13.22 and later editions,
Quercus magnolifolia

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is given as the tree on which these silkworms feed, but the information is attributed to Née (presumably referring to Née (1801), p. 269).