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86.03.00b

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Robert Lucas, 1886-03 [86.03.00b]. 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/1880-9/1886/86-03-00b-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Notes and events', Colac herald, 16 March 1886, p. 2. It is introduced by '
There are few men in the colony who take a greater interest in botany than Mr. Robert Lucas, who has been for very many years a resident of this district. In his explorations through the Cape Otway and Gippsland forests he has discovered many new and interesting plants hitherto unknown to botanists, and specimens of these he has forwarded from time to time to Baron Von Mueller of Melbourne. At the beginning of the present month Mr Lucas forwarded to that eminent botanist a very fine specimen of the Agaritus Candescens [typesetter's error for Agaricus?], and in acknowledging its receipt the Baron, after expressing his thanks to him, states that
we cannot always get specimens near Melbourne, even early in the season. Should you find any other fungus not common, please send them to me, and I will forward seeds to you for such kindness. With best wishes, &c
2
The article continues by reporting that the seven packets of seeds sent to Lucas had been given to Mr M'Donald, the curator of the Colac Botanic Gardens, from whom seeds, 'especially selected as suitable for this district by Baron von Mueller, who is personally acquainted with its soil and its requirements’, could be obtained.