Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M5, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 83.05.13

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Frederick Bailey to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1883-05-13. 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/1880-9/1883/83-05-13-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

1
MS found with a specimen of Lagerstroemia archeriana (MEL 2235994).
Queensland Museum.
Brisbane May 13th 18 83
2
8 over 7.
Dear Baron Mueller
Thanks for your kind letter of the 5th
3
Letter not found.
I am past the s and indeed nearly through the Orchids and I hope to have the whole through the press by the end of June.
4
Bailey (1883).
I have done the best I could for the Macrozam. out of the Flora and Fragmenta.
5
Bentham (1863-78) and Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.
I will enclose in this a flower of the L. Archeriana
6
Lagerstroemia archeriana.
and an unripe fruit and leaf which I have since received, perhaps I was wrong in being so hastely with it only I wanted it in the body of the book and at the time of receiving the specimen I was at its place in the classification so had to put it in or leave it for the end of the work with any others that I may have overlooked or that may be found since.
Thanks for your notes on the shortcomings of the work but you should remember I only wished to compile a field book. Your Systematic Census
7
B83.03.04.
gives referrences far beyond any other work published and all lovers of botany will have it by them — mine will fulfil its place as a companion to the travelling botanist in this part of australia and those who cannot afford a botanical library.
I am sorry that I did not know under what circumstances L. indica was found for I should have been glad to have added it as a note, In fact (dont be vexed with me) I thought that both that and L. flos-reginae
8
See Bailey (1883), pp. 195-6.
had been gathered in some old garden and sent to you not willfully but for the want of knowing better as doubtless some other plants have for instance ,
9
Ulmus parvifolia?
, &
Our friend the Rev Scortechini and Mr Tryon will start for Mount Lindsay
10
Qld.
shortly and I hope for several plants if not new still new to this colony from their trip
I should have sent you the parts of the synopsis
11
i.e. Bailey (1883).
as they were printed but thought they were not of sufficient interest so will send the book when it is out not that it will be of use to you but that you may point out my errors —
I had no chance of paying a visit to New Guinea as no steamer was sent from Brisbane. I should like you to finish the flora of that fine country and if any come into my hands I shall be glad to send them to you who have already begun the work
Believe me dear friend
your always
F. M. Bailey
12
MS annotation by M at head of letter: 'Bauhin acium'.