Ferdinand von Mueller

Dictated

1

MS written by G. Luehmann and signed by M.

Melbourne 12-3-96.

This Evening dear Miss Walker I received Your kind letter

2

Letter not found.

so full of friendly sentiments, but no Eucalytus

3

Eucalyptus.

sprig came with it, so I presume that You send it along with the preserve of Eugenia Smithy

4

Eugenia smithi i.

to Miss Cole in her deep sadness she moves little about, doubtless attending as the only companion to her mourni[ng] venerable mother.

5

Margaret Cole [Ward-Cole], whose sister Agnes had died in October 1895; their mother was Thomas Ann Cole [Ward-Cole].

I did not remember that I was in arrear in naming plants for You, but during the last four years of extensive distress in this Colony my departmental engagements became so much augmented in the interest of the breadwinning people that I could give but little attention to anything outside of the Colony Victoria although nothing would be more pleasing to me than to be useful to so enlightened a lady as Yourself. If you could repeat the sending, which remained unnamed I certainly will endeavour to do justice to it. I had specimens of plants from the South Esk river

6

Tas.

in my collection since 1848, and do not know to which waterweed you allude as dangerous to swimmers. Would it be possible to get me a portion of the plant so that I may ascertain what really it is.