Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Rare Tasmanian fern', Launceston e xaminer (Tas), 14 June 1890, p. 1 (B90.06.07). It is introduced by

The Superintendent of our City Reserves, Mr W. M'Gowan, recently forwarded to Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller, K.C.M.G., F.R.S., who is resident in Melbourne, leaves and portions of the stem of the specimens of the rare Tasmanian fern recently received from Mr G. Anderson, of Circular Head, for identification. By yesterday's mail Mr M'Gowan received the following reply:--.

The item is dated to June 1890 on the basis of its arrival in Launceston on 13 June.

The identity of the fern was discussed in earlier articles, for example, 'A rare Tasmanian Fern', Tasmanian (Launceston), 7 June 1890, p. 11.

The Cyath ea s of which you sent specimens cannot be named with certainty, because the fronds have no fruit on them. As you say, it belongs to the series of Cyathea Medullaris , but the stem is more slender, and it differs in some other particulars. I had of this fern tree specimens from the far south of Tasmania many years ago, which were doubtfully referred to Cyathe a A ffini s (Swartz), but I believe the Tasmanian species is nearer to C y athea Cunninghami of New Zealand. The whole group, of which Cyathea M ed u llaris is the leading species, ought to be elaborated anew, with comparisons also of the ste m s. If you have a fruit specimen to spare kindly send it to me ; I should like also one of the photographs. I will then afford you fuller information.