Ferdinand von Mueller

April 26th [189]3

1

editorial addition.

To the President of the Royal Society of South Australia

My dear Sir

I have just been questioned by the Department of Agriculture Re the publication of the proposed supplement to Bentham's Flora Australiensis

2

Bentham (1863-78).

You must have observed that in my circular

3

F. Bailey to M, March 1893 (in this edition as 93-03-00b).

that no mention was made of any government having authorised me to prepare the manuscript of the proposed work. I cannot but think that as I am a member of your Society that it would have been more courteous had the society written to me on the subject if information was required. I should have been glad and ready to have answered any questions the society felt inclined to ask. I have not pushed myself forward to do the above work, but rather have held back. In fact for some years past a number of lovers of botany seeing the determined stand taken by Baron Mueller against the style and nomenclature of the Flora Australiensis, have urged me to prepare a volume containing the descriptions of all the fresh plants which have been added to our known Flora since the various volumes were issued. This at last I have undertaken to do and as my word has been given I shall prepare the manuscript and when ready it will then be time enough to see about who shall publish it.

4

Bailey's proposed supplement was never published.

I have no ill feeling against Baron Mueller in the matter, but as a botanist I consider his system and nomenclature deter rather than assist the cause of botanic study — I am dear Sir yours very truly