Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

24 July 1885.

The honorable Graham Berry, M.L.A.,

Chief Secretary.

Sir.

I have the honor to inform you in reference to the question asked by Mr. Bosisto yesterday in Parliament,

1

On 23 July 1885, J. Bosisto asked the Chief Secretary, G. Berry, 'when it was probable that the Key to the Botany of Victoria, now in course of preparation by Baron von Mueller, the Government Botanist, would be published; and if he would endeavour to hasten its publication, so that it might be available for use in the approaching spring?' Berry replied on 28 July 'that the Government Botanist hoped that the Key to the Botany of Victoria would be published in the course of this year'; Victoria. Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary debates, 28 July 1885, p. 460.

that the "Key to the Victorian Flora" will have to serve not less than 1800 species, and is therefore a far more extensive piece of work, if properly to be done, than might at first sight appear.

2

Marginal annotation: 'Make a copy for C.S. to read'.

Both text and woodcuts are under progress and I hope, that the whole will appear in the course of this year.

3

The first volume, the illustrations, appeared in April 1886 (B86.04.05), but the key itself did not appear until two and a half years later (B88.11.02). See Lucas, Maroske & Brown-May (2006).

Meanwhile my "native plants" are for a considerable portion of the Flora of Victoria available,

4

B79.06.04.

while every one of the Victorian plants is described in the "Flora Australiensis";

5

Bentham (1863-78).

moreover I have mentioned to all interested, that I was willing to name plants, collected for them, which tyros even with the best of "Keys" will find difficult to do in all instances.