Document information

Physical location:

MS Box 4239/4, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne. 89.09.14a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to James Read, 1889-09-14 [89.09.14a]. 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/1880-9/1889/89-09-14a-final.odt>, accessed June 5, 2026

1
A specimen of
Eremophila oppositifolia

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at MEL (MEL 0083571) from 'Darling's River', dated August 1889, shows the collector as 'J. D. Read'. Another specimen (Templetonia egena, MEL 564657), shown as collected in 1889 at Jerrigo [i.e. Jericho] Tank, between the Bogan and Darling Rivers, NSW, is attributed to 'J. Read'. The only person named Read of whom a record has been found of having been in the area at the time is James Charles Read, who was at Bedooba Station, south-west of Cobar; we here assume that he was the person to whom M was writing. He probably collected both specimens.
14/9/89
The handsome shrub, of which you sent me branchlets in flower, dear Mr Read, is the
Eremophila oppositifolia

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. I should like much, to have seeds (ripe fruits) of it later in the season. Could any Amateur-Lady be induced to put into envelopes for me there all sorts of minute plants , either in blossom or in seed? Among them would be much rarity in a season like this, when the spring-vegetation has through much rain become so much developed. Floating and submerged weeds, if ever so small, would also be very valuable as material for my studies from a region like yours .
Regardfully
your
Ferd. von Mueller.