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RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1882-1890, f. 223. 87.05.03a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Thiselton-Dyer, 1887-05-03 [87.05.03a]. 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/1880-9/1887/87-05-03a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

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Date stamped: Royal Gardens Kew 11 Jun 1887. Annotated by Thiselton-Dyer: and 26.6.87 [letter not found]; and by W. Watson(?): (387/1887).
The corresponding entry in the Kew Inwards Book, 1884-87, p. 423, records ‘Sir F. v. Mueller Bart K.C.M.G., F.R.S. &c, Melbourne BG (sic) 4 Xanthorrhoea australia See letter 3-V-1887’.
3/5/87.
The stems of the genuine
Xanthorrhoea australis

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Xanthorrhoea australis

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underlined in red pencil.
dear Mr Dyer, were lifted last weeks in a sandy heath-moor about 150 miles from here; but altho’ they were brought safely to the nearest railway-station, (a good way off) they were delayed on the transit to Melbourne for 5 days, and thus they were too late for the Shannon. So the large case must go by the next steamer, thought this letter catches still the mail in Adelaide, there being now railway communication so far.
I have had a good deal expense in this getting the stems, which are ponderous, so I shall not pay the freight to London; the small incidental vote for the finance-year is quite exhausted, and my private means are for books, for office requirements, for the numerous charities of such a young and yet large place, so heavily taxed, that I find it only possible to “make both ends meet” by the strictest domestic economy.
Please, make arrangements for the receipt of these stems, which ought to arrive two or three weeks after this letter.
Regardfully
your
Ferd von Mueller