Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M129, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 83.01.13Preferred Citation:
John Thurston to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1883-01-13. 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/1880-9/1883/83-01-13-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
1
MS found with specimens of
Cycas seemannii. MS annotation by M: 'Answ 23/1/83'. Letter not found.
13th January 1883
My dear Sir,
I have been quite unable to answer your note of the 29 Nov. last
in consequence of our Legislative Council having been in session and my time wholly
given to official duties.
2
Letter not found.
This note is just to forward you some scales of the cone of a Male Cycas which I have
at last found.
The cone is from two to two & a half feet long and 4. or 4½
inches in diameter in its greatest breadth —
General shape, long, and pointed. The end when quite ripe bending over.
3
This sentence is accompanied by a sketch by Thurston showing the shape of the cone.
The specimens were taken in the vicinity of a number of female trees the whole of which, without
exception, were of the round seed variety, not the long, oval, one. The cone emits
a strong perfume & reminds me of the smell of salted codfish when rather strong.
I shall await with interest your examination of these scales, but will write you more
at length via New Zealand
Have you had time amid your pressing duties to [decide] of the coco-nut of a new variety
I sent you some time since, with straight unbranched spadix?
4
Letter not found, specimen not identified.
I have found a perfectly new Fan Palm, hitherto unseen & unnoticed by any one. Specimens
shall be sent to you.
Faithfully yours
John B. Thurston.
Cycas