Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 94.11.09

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Alexander Purdie to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1894-11-09. 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/1890-6/1894/94-11-09-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

1
MS annotation by M: 'Answ 11/1194'. Letter not found.
There is a small piece of paper glued to the top of the letter on which is printed: 'Mr Ellery. | Jan. 1894'. Under this, J. H. Willis has written: '(Special labels for his E. Gippsland collection)'.
School of Mines
Bendigo
2
Vic. All places named are in Vic.
9th Nov 1894
Baron von Mueller
Govt Botanist Melbourne
Dear Sir,
I thank you very much for settling my difficulties about the last orchids sent.
3
Previous correspondence not found.
As for
Diuris longifolia

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I have found a good many specimens near Bendigo & nearly all of them have been very pale yellow almost the same as D. pedunculata in tint & none of them show the fine suffused yellow & brown that characterises the Gisborne & Macedon specimens. I am sending by this mail a specimen of
Diuris sulphurea

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which makes so far as I know another fresh record of locality. It is found near Bendigo. That will account for all the species of Diuris here except
Diuris palustris

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which I have never seen anywhere & would much like to find. The localities are as follows: —
Diuris punctata

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Sm. — abundant at Elmore to the north, Axedale to the east & Sutton Grange to the south but I have not found it yet in the vicinity of Bendigo
D. maculata
common
round
Bendigo
D. pedunculata
"
"
"
D. sulphurea
}
found near Bendigo but not so commonly as the two preceding species
D. longifolia
D. alba (variety of punctata) one specimen found at Elmore
near the Campaspe
4
Campaspe River, Vic.
If I had
Diuris palustris

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my list would be complete.
I enclose with the Diuris two varieties of Pterostylis got near Bendigo, which I would incline to call
Pterostylis vittata

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but the two seem so unlike in size & colour Of No 1 I got only two specimens one fully opened of which I send a drawing
5
Drawing not found.
& one in bud which I forward. The leaves at the base were much withered
No 2 Of this one of my students brought me in a number from above Axedale about 13 miles east of Bendigo.
Are these two different species or only varieties of P. vittata
I enclose also
Caleya major

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which grows plentifully near Bendigo. Is this not also a fresh record? I am sending also by this post a copy of the Bendigo Advertiser containing an account of my late botanical trip & have marked a passage in which your name is mentioned.
6
Enclosure not found, but see 'On the Wallaby' by 'Pakeha', Bendigo advertiser, 7 November 1894, p. 4, which includes the passage 'for the naming of these and many other specimens, my thanks are due to the Government botanist, Baron von Mueller, whose kindness and courtesy in such matters are well known'.
Trusting that you are well
I remain
Yours faithfully
Alex. Purdie