Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from Gleason (1947).

21.11.83.

Herewith, dear Mr. Jackson, I beg to send you a copy of part of a letter from Dr. Fournier, just received,

2

See E. Fournier to M, 24 September 1883 (in this edition as 83-09-24a).

concerning the priority of

Vahea

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over

Landolphia

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, as this question will interest you not only for these genera but in many other respects for your nomenclator.

3

i.e. Index Kewessis, B. Jackson (1895) .

I also forward a copy of the important prospectus, found by Dr. Fournier, as this renders it conclusive, how far the “illustration des genres”

4

Lamarck (1791–1823). See also M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 3 January 1882.

had actually appeared up to 1796. As you and Mr. Britten

5

James Britten.

took such an interest in clearing up the dates of Rees’ Cyclopedia,

6

Rees (1819-20). See B. Jackson (1877) and B. Jackson (1880a); but see also Pestana (1979) for a critique of Jackson's analysis.

you likely will give some attention to this question now.

I intended to have written a letter on the subject in Trimen’s journal or rather now Britten’s journal of Botany, but I have been suffering for fully two months from so severe a bronchial catarrh, that I had to keep to my rooms all that time;

7

M had, however, written an essay on nomenclature of

Vahea

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in B82.09.01, which was republished in the Journal of botany (B83.03.03) with an editorial introductory note: 'The following note was communicated by Baron von Mueller to the Melbourne ' Chemist and Druggist ' for September, 1882, and seems to us of sufficient interest to deserve wider circulation'. Britten had taken over from Trimen as editor of the Journal of botany in 1879.

the cough has slightly abated now, but as there is some emphysema, it is doubtful whether I will recover. My parents both died early on phthisis, and hereditary inclination to that fatal disease brought me out to this warmer clime as soon as I left the University. In the wet season it is however even here too cold for me. I am just going up into a solid forest region with the hope of benefitting from the moist equable air there. I feel very weak. Am very sorry to hear of Mr. Bentham’s failing strength, but hope, that after some rest he will still be able to resume his great phytographic labours.

8

Bentham in effect gave up botany at about this time; see G. Bentham to M, November 1883 (in this edition as 83-11-00). Bentham died on 10 September 1884.