Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M49, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 81.10.27a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

John McKibbin to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1881-10-27 [81.10.27a]. 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/1880-9/1881/81-10-27a-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

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Ms found with a specimen of Thelymitra carnea, but no MEL number was recorded when it was removed. MS annotation by M: 'Answ 28/10.81'. Letter not found. See also J. McKibbin to M, 11 October 1881.
Victoria Parade
Maryboro'
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Maryborough, Vic.
27/10/81
Baron Von Mueller K.C.M.G. &c
Dear Sir
From the appearance of the inclosed specimen, I think the
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they?
differ so much from the T. Antennifera & T. McMillani,
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Thelymitra antennifera and Thelymitra macmillanii.
that I venture to send them for your consideration — No 1 is found in the same locality as T. Antennifera but the latter is out of flower for some time as well as T. McMillani & no 2 is always marked in the three upper sepals & seems much shorter in the sepals but possibly the difference is immaterial. Of No 1 are just coming in flower but I only got 8 or 10 specimens on two hills distant half a mile & nearly all the Orchids are out of bloom — M. Porrifolia
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Microtis porrifolia

Search for Microtis porrifolia in

.
&
Prasophyllum

Search for Prasophyllum in

excepted —
Respecting water plants I regret to say we have no clear or permanent water here
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M had recently issued a circular asking collectors to include water plants; see Circular, September 1881 (in this edition as 81-09-00f).
— merely dams of dirty mud with no vegetation except a little here & there of algae, adhering to sticks — I purpose taking a trip to the Loddon
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Loddon River, Vic.
shortly where I will have an opportunity of collecting some I hope when I shall let you know if successful — Mining work prevent any permanent water being about here — even what is to supply the town is quite thick until precipitated
I shall send a few more of the commoner plants & shrubs for you to kindly name as I wish your authority respecting them before I give the name to a few enquirers here — I am endeavouring to get a few young men to take to collecting natural history
I am Dear Sir,
Yours obediently
John N McKibbin