Document information

Physical location:

Carton no. 12, Melbourne, consulat, Serie A, Centre des Archives Diplomatiques, Nantes. 88.06.29

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Paul Maistre, 1888-06-29. 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/1880-9/1888/88-06-29-final.odt>, accessed June 9, 2026

1
For a printed version of this letter see Home & Maroske (1997), p. 21.
Melbourne,
29. June 1888.
To Mons. P. L. Maistre,
Vice-Consul for France &c
In continuation of former communications, dear Mons. Maistre, I beg to send herewith fresh seeds, just obtained, of one of the best Australian Saltbushes,
Kochia villosa

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, which is quite celebrated as "Cotton-bush" on the "Sheep runs" of the arid interior. It is only a small quantity, but the seeds are scantily produced, and as the bushes are fed down so much by the flocks, it is difficult to obtain any seeds at all.
Kindly excuse me to the Consul General
2
Presumably M meant Léon Dejardin who was the newly arrived consul. In 1888 Melbourne was a vice consulate under the control of the consul general in Sydney; see Thornton-Smith (1994).
for not having been able yet to wait on him; but I come rarely to the City, the pressure of my departmental work in the office at South Yarra being so great. But as the Centennial Exhibition will soon be opened,
3
Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888-9.
I shall often have the pleasure of coming to the French division, where I am sure to meet the Chief Commissioner and you frequently.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller