Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Approximate date of MS determined from its position in the file.

[…]

2

An unknown amount of text missing.

Kindly induce that Gentleman, when you write to him, to send the Tillaea , which grows on the shelly-sandy margin of the Lake of Rottenest.

3

Rottnest Island, WA. M had earlier explained to Tate his interest in the Tillaea; see M to R. Tate, 17 April 1881 (in this edition as 81-04-17b).

It will now be in flower, and he will recognize it by you forwarding him some other Tillaeas. It is T. intricata, Nees, but I have never been able from the original withered specimen

4

T. intricata was described by Nees in 'Crassulaceae' in Lehmann (1844-7), vol. 1, p. 278, from a specimen, Ludwig Preiss's collecting number 1929, of which specimens survive at Hamburg, HBG505697, and elsewhere. M had evidently received a specimen as part of Steetz's collection, but the specimen is not listed as present at MEL in AVH (accessed 9 June 2020), although other specimens with that provenance are in the collection.

to recognize precisely what it is, nor had I an opportunity of proceeding to the island when I was at Swan River. The Rev. B. Scortechini and Mr Ch. Moore are coming both to Melbourne presently, to consult with me on botanic matters, so I shall have to give up some time to them, what I will gladly do; but for all that, your affairs will not be lost sight of. As regards Algs & other lower Cryptogams, Sir Joseph Hooker also hands them over to specialists since many years.