Ferdinand von Mueller

30. June. 1853

My dear Mr Gunn

Many thanks for your last note of the 16 inst

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Letter not found.

— My clever little Botanist

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Ferdinand Mueller.

has returned having done quite as much as I expected & more than any but a german, drunk with the love of his Science, — & careless of ease — & regardless of difficulty in whatever form it might present itself — could have effected in the time & under the circumstances. He started along the Sydney road to the May Day Hills in the Ovens District whence I wished him to gain access to the higher group of Australian alps. He was however from the advance of the season in Feby unable to effect this — but made for Buffalo ranges — & ascended Mt Aberdeen

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Now The Horn, Mt Buffalo, Vic.

— then alone & unaided went up the Delatite river, & got to the top of the Mount Buller range 5000 + or -, & within reach of the subalpine flora, then crossed the dividing ranges to the Yarra & turning under their SW flank to the E. went in to Gipps Land & explored Wilsons Promontory returning by the coast to Western Port. In the ravines of Wilsons Promy he found your

Fagus

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• This website
• Australian Plant Name Index

,

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Fagus

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• This website
• Australian Plant Name Index

cunninghamii. See M to W. Lonsdale, 27 June 1853.

as I hoped he would — none of your pines however. The results of his tour shall be printed in due time

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B53.10.01.

— in the mean time I may state that they are exceedingly interesting.

You will soon have Mr Swainson with you. All I can say is that with all his undeniable talent I have found him a very hard bargain — as helpless as a child, & a grumbler of the first water — I am prepared to see his statement of his labours in Victoria most plentifully interlarded with complaints of hardships & want of cordial cooperation. But n'importe

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no matter. See Maroske & Cohn (1992).

When Dr Muller's report is printed, I shall of course send it to you

Kind regards to Mrs Gunn & to your brother