Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M56, Library, Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne. 92.11.05Preferred Citation:
St Eloy D'Alton to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1892-11-05. 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/1890-6/1892/92-11-05-final.odt>, accessed June 15, 2026
1
MS found with a specimen of
Trifolium campestre
(MEL 2095946).
2
Vic.
Nov 5th /92
My dear Baron
Accept my best thanks for the pains you have taken in naming the plants. I was rather
surprised to find that Muhlenbeckia Cunninghami
assumed the aspect of a small green leafy shrub growing on sand hills I suppose the
total difference in the soils caused the great variation in the plant. I regret to
say that the specimen of Gunnia septifraga which I had was lost with a number of others
about 12 months ago. The mice got among the specimens and played such havoc as to
leave nothing but fragments which were consigned to the flames. The name however appears
in a list that I made out of all plants forwarded to you by me. I will have a look
out for more of it where it was found before. I will pass the spot tomorrow where the Drymaria fillifolia
grows and will collect all there is of it for you. Enclosed is a specimen of trefoil
which is not unlike the common trefoil but has larger flowers. It is to be found sparingly
all over this District and in remote places. I would like to know something of it.
I succeeded in getting some of the Teosinth grass seeds to grow but it seems very
delicate and evidently will stand very little frost.
3
Muehlenbeckia cunninghami.
4
Drymaria filiformis? M exhibited a specimen of this plant, as new to Victoria, at the November 1892 meeting
of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, attributing its collection to D'Alton
among others (Victorian naturalist
(1892), vol. 9, p. 115).
I have a number of specimens of plants peculiar to this District. If you would care
for any, I will send you what there is of them, such as Prostanthera coccinea, Lasiopetalum Behrii &c
With kind regards believe me to be
faithfully yours
St Eloy D'Alton
Drymaria fillifolia
Gunnia septifraga
Lasiopetalum Behrii
Muhlenbeckia Cunninghami
Prostanthera coccinea