The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ I almost expected, that the venerable Bentham did not care, to add a volume to the flora Australiensis, ¶ when so much more important work remains for him to be done otherwise. But it would have b...

Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew Correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1882-90, f. 36. 82.11.00b

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1882-11 [82.11.00b]. 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/1880-9/1882/82-11-00b-final.odt>, accessed June 9, 2026

The sheet has no date or valediction. It is unlikely to be a post scriptum to M to J. Hooker, 1 October 1882 after which it is bound in the Archive. It is dated by comparison with the content of M to G. Bentham, 8 November 1882.

I almost expected, that the venerable Bentham did not care, to add a volume to the flora Australiensis,

Bentham (1863–78). For discussion between Bentham and M on a supplement to Flora australiensis, see Lucas (2003), pp. 272–4; and for discussion in Australia see Clements (1998). No such volume was ever published.

when so much more important work remains for him to be done otherwise. But it would have been unbecoming, to pass so great a man on a matter, in which he is so much interested. Tell me kindly, dear Sir Joseph, whether Mr Lovell Reeve’s firm could legally or equitably or morally raise any objection to an eight

i. e. eighth.

volume of the Flora Australiensis being published in Melbourne. If this at all is done, I see no other way, as its coming out here. Of course if the firm objects, I can give to the additional volume an other title, and make it not strictly supplemental in the paging &c. However there is no hurry about it, and I may defer the issue, til more additions have come in, say 2 or 3 years.