Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 85.03.10a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

John McLachlan to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1885-03-10 [85.03.10a]. 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/1880-9/1885/85-03-10a-final.odt>, accessed June 5, 2026

1
MS found with a specimen of Richardia stellaris (MEL 2268397), accompanied by an unsigned draft in M's handwriting of a letter to Joseph Hooker; see M to J. Hooker, 11 March 1885 (in this edition as 85-03-11a).
BOTANIC GARDENS SYDNEY
N.S.W .
2
Letterhead printed around the British crown.
Botanic Gardens
Sydney, 10th March, 1885
Baron F. Von Mueller
Melbourne
Sir,
On receipt of your letter
3
Letter not found.
yesterday morning I placed it in Mr Betche's hands, who immediately went to Mossman's Bay,
4
Sydney Harbour.
where he found flowering specimens of the new rubiaceous plant, which I send you by today's mail. This plant grows on the top of a flat sandstone hill near to Mossman's Bay, remote from all houses and gardens. The top of the hill is mostly bare rock, with the exception of a thin layer of humus formed of decayed mosses in the shallow cavities of the flat rocks. A dense green turf covers this layer, and the plants found in it are principally
Cynodon

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,
Killingia

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, and the specimen now forwarded to you.
I regret we have not any fruiting specimens of
Haloragis salsoloides

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; nor has Mr Betche ever yet found a living plant of this species.
Mr Moore returns via Melbourne, and he is expected to arrive there sometime during this week.
5
Charles Moore was returning to Sydney from a period of leave in Europe.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient servant
John McLachlan
Clerk