The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: My dear Baron Von Mueller ¶ ¶ I send herewith a flower-stem & leaf of an orchid, you asked to have, from the Solomon Group. The stem is about twice as long as the one sent; it was brought to me by Li...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 83.01.00

Preferred Citation:

Arthur King to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1883-01. 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/1880-9/1883/83-01-00-final.odt>, accessed June 16, 2026

MS found with specimen of Dendrodium goldfinchii (MEL723563). M's label reads: 'Dendrobium Goldfinchii, Fv.M. Solomon-Group in fl. Jan 1883. Lieut Goldfinch'. The letter is dated on the assumption that the specimen was sent soon after it had flowered in the collection of King, at Kew, Melbourne. In a note to his description (B83.01.03) M wrote:

This interesting plant was brought from a but little explored island-group by Lieut. Goldfinch, of H. M. Ship Emerald, and was reared in the Conservatory of Arthur King, Esq., who obligingly afforded me the opportunity of rendering it descriptively known.

My dear Baron Von Mueller

I send herewith a flower-stem & leaf of an orchid, you asked to have, from the Solomon Group. The stem is about twice as long as the one sent; it was brought to me by Lieutt Goldfinch of H M S "Emerald"

yours truly

Arthur S King