Ferdinand von Mueller

16/7/87

It will be very important, dear Dr Ramsay, as already pointed out at the former occasion by yourself, that the new expedition of Mr Bevan

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Theodore Bevan on the steamer Victory provided by Robert Philp of Burn, Philp & Co. had explored a number of New Guinea rivers opening to the Gulf of Papua in a six-week expedition in early 1887, which he described in a public lecture for the NSW Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Sydney morning herald, 14 July 1887, p. 3). It was understood that 'Mr Bevan will endeavour to follow up his discoveries and that Government aid will probably be afforded him in his work' (Daily telegraph (Sydney), 9 July 1887, p. 5.)

should have means of elucidating also the vegetation of such regions, as may be reached by water or land.

Now, as my Department has only so slender means, that always my own income is sunk in, to expedite the work, it is entirely out of the question, to send purposely a botanic collector purposely; nor can I ask the geographic branch here,

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The Victorian Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia.

to break into its little fund for means to engage a plant-gatherer. But as the mere gathering of all sorts of plants from the smallest to the largest either in flower or fruit needs neither knowledge nor skill, ( all specimens being phytogeographically valuable from new regions); — and as the mere drying of branchlets &c is a such a simple process, — surely someone of the party, who is not already fully occupied, as are the zoologists and principal navigators, might look after any kind of plant, and might induce the sailors and others to give help whenever occasion offers, and to all could after the return of the expedition a monetary reward be given at valorem.

You, my honored friend, could send on board at my expense, a few ream of common printing paper, some packing paper, pasteboards, straps, ties, American leather (wax-cloth) and some tin-lined boxes; and I am sure you would be willing to show any one of the party, how to facilitate drying, by putting specimens in numerous thin sets of paper on the air or near a fire, thus saving the time-taking and troublesome process of shifting specimens from wet into dry paper, if occasionally the sets are halved , (as in cutting play-cards,) the moist inner coming thus to the outer side. All this was fully explained in the printed instructions, issued for Capt. Everill's Expedition, of which document you could provide the party with copies.

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Geographical Society of Australasia (1885), which includes M's botanical instructions (B85.07.11).

Mr Bevan has shown, by at least bringing a few plants, that he is willing to see the phytologic interest also be matched during his expeditions, and I like you discuss viva voce with him this important subject, as we do not even yet know, what really the Cedar and other timbers are, which are exported already. Should he have left, would you then telegraph to him my suggestions and offer of pay according to results I have endeavoured by namings and drawings of 2 new plants to inspire him with further interest in this respect, which will add to the glory of his new enterprise.

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See B87.11.01, read at the meeting of the Linnean Society of NSW on 27 July1887; the new species were Mussaenda bevani (pp. 419-20, plate vi) and Begonia sharpeana (pp. 420-2, plate vii).

Mr Bevans last achievements are geographically most praiseworthy

My key of the native plants of Vict

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B88.11.02.

is nearly ready, so that I can soon resume my elaborations of Papuan plants