Ferdinand von Mueller

21/6/84

It is a long time, dear Dr Beccari, since I wrote to you; and you must have deemed it strange, that I did not send you a return consignment of museum-plants for the nice lot of Sunda Island plants, received from you.

1

See M to O. Beccari, 12 March 1882 (in this edition as 82-03-12a).

The fact is, that I long since intended to do so, but the incessant calls on my ill supported Department for the various Exhibitions ("Expositions") and other extrawork left me no time, especially as I also acquired for the Victorian Government the very extensive Sonderian collections,

2

See M to L. Smith, 16 February 1882, and Short (1990).

to be put in order for Museum-purposes, and some publications had to be carried on in reference to Australian plants irrespective of the enormous correspondence. I am now however somewhat better placed for assistance as regards "Herbarium" work, and several sets of spare-specimens are under preparation, one of which will be despatched to you.

And now, my dear Doctor, I would beg of you, whether you can let me have some of your New Guinea plants for elaboration. Australia is almost exhausted, and I have during two years had but extremely few novelties from all Australia. I am therefore eager to participate in your New Guinean treasures, and should like to write a chapter for your splendid "Malesia".

3

Beccari (1877-90).

The fact, that this work evidently does not get the literary help from your confreres, which it deserves, gives me courage to ask you for some of your Mt Arfak

4

West Papua, Indonesia.

plants &c, such as you do not care to elaborate yourself, especially as Mr Forbes

5

Henry Forbes.

is proceeding now to New Guinea and may rediscover some of your undescribed species. If I had the second set of any Papuan plants, which you wish to entrust to me, I would not long keep it here and return it to you.

The Marquis Toverena and his Lady continue my kindest friends, and we often speak of you and Signor D'Albertis,

6

Almost certainly Luigi Maria d'Albertis.

to whom I wish to be remembered with all friendliness.

Any plants sent to my Agents, Mess Watson & Scull, Lower Thames Street,

7

i.e. London.

would be forwarded without expense to you.