Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS found with a specimen of Erythrorchis cassythoides (MEL 62370) collected by R. J. Thornton.

Beresford Road

Homebush

2

NSW.

Aug 28th /94

Dear Baron von Mueller

Thornton told me about the inclosed vine some time ago and promised to gather some of the blossoms for you to see if it was anything new, so I hasten to send it to you.

3

The file contains a letter from Robert Thornton to G. King, 27 August 1894 which includes: 'I went out yesterday to look for the vine I was telling you about but the running bush fires had burnt it but I found a small piece of the same just beginning to run but the flowers were not quite out but I am sending it to you in this letter …'

I am glad you were pleased with the "Sea Grasses" and that I was at last successful in finding them.

4

See G. King to M, 14 August 1894.

I was 3½ when we left Western Australia and I remember my mother drying the "Sea grass" for beds in Freemantle

5

Fremantle.

Bay, and it was a stupid thing of me to collect the Algi for you instead — I have often seen the minute shells on blades of these grasses and never thought more about them, but when I saw them at Elizabeth Bay

6

Sydney Harbour.

it all came back to me. I showed some of this "sea grass

7

There is no closing quotation mark.

to our Fisherman and he has promised to bring me some from the Parramatta River

8

NSW.

tomorrow. I will send it on to you but you must not please trouble to write to me, for I do not wish to lay one more straw on the work you have to do which no one else can accomplish. I want to help you not to hinder you, for I am very grateful to you for the kindness and sympathy you have given me in my work. If it is necessary get your Assistant to write to me. I don't forget one thing I am to do for you, and when opportunity offers your wishes will be attended to — I am going to my friends at Springwood

9

NSW.

next month for a visit.