To William Hooker¹    26 July 1854

Melbourne bot Gardens, 26 July 54

Sir William,

I take an early opportunity to write to you again by the overland mail, to repeat my warmest thanks for your kind letters as well as for the unmerited praise, which you condescended to bestow upon the humble productions of my pen.

Returning only this evening² from a coast journey around Port Phillip chiefly instituted to increase my algological collection, I was very sorry to perceive, that my attendent,³ whilst I was away, made the unpardonable mistake of transmitting to you "by the Queen of the South" along with about 400 sp. of plants and numerous seeds, both the first original and the clearwriting of a considerable set of manuscripts, thus risking the results of many a days labour to the casualities frequently occuring on so long away as to Europe.⁴ I should feel very much indebted to you, Sir William for receiving after save arrival there the [less] readable writings back again, unless you would kindful permit the whole to go at once through the press. My search for algae last week has not been very productive in additional species, but it furnished me with more perfect specimens of several kinds, which will be communicated to you in my next sending as well as to Professor Harvey, should I have the pleasure of meeting him here.

The algae from Wilson's promontory have been send by me last year also to Dr Sonder,⁵ knowing not at that time of Dr Harveys intention to visit these shores; and considering, that, as the overwhelming material, which flows to your magnificent establishment from all parts of the globe would contains so much else of greater interest and attraction to yourself, Sir William and your friends that Dr Sonders assistance in describing the algae and Mr Hampe's for mosses and lichens could be but a valuable acquisition. I had besides at that time not yet heard the pleasing news, that your learned son would resume the Tasmanian Flora, to which my plants often exhibit identity.⁶ Should you however preferr an other arrangement, I feel sure, Dr Sonder will yield to any proposal of yours, he having so many descriptions of plants from South Australia yet to finish, as to employ him at least for a whole year. — I beg to enclose the bill of lading for the box forwarded by the "queen of the South."

With the next opportunity I shall have the pleasure of sending more specimens and manuscripts. I trust that the large collection, which the late Governor had the kindness to ship to you arrived safely and in good order and above all was deemed worthy of your kind consideration. Seeds, two small parcels of plants and some manuscripts were taken home by his Excellency Mr LaTrobe, and with the overland mail two months ago I forwarded "by the Madras" an other set of manuscript[s] accompanied by a few rare specimens, of which the postage was paid here.

In two or three months I contemplate to commence an other journey. Could I receive his Excellencys sanction to an expedition through the interior of N.S.W. I do not doubt, that this journey will prove to be successful, whereas success in increasing the collections within the boundaries of this colony will be very quest[ion]able;⁷ as I have been in all the main localities for plants during the last two summers. Not less than 2550 miles have been travelled by me from Nov to April last.

It would be certainly very desirable to examine R. Browns plants on the locis detectionis.⁸ The briefness of most of his as well as DC diagnoses in the first 7 or 8 volumes of the prodromus,⁹ leave me too often doubtful about the species. I was therefore delighted, to see your celebrated friends Bentham and Lindley actually devoted part of their so valuable time in reviewing some parts of my collections, a kindness for which I shall feel myself placed under the greatest obligation to these masters in botany.

In the last collection you will observe two beautiful climbers, often adhering to Ferrntrees or running high up on the Timber trees. Should (I am not acquainted with either genus, my specimens having no flowers) they prove new in genus I should feel delighted, [would]¹⁰ you accept the name of Basileophyta for one of them. I remain, Sir William,

your most humble and obliged servant

Ferd. Mueller.

I add to this letter some manuscripts closing probably for this year my writings on Diosmeae, Compositae & Euphorbiacae. It contains diagnoses of 33 species¹¹

Specimens corresponding to these descriptions you will have either received by the Queen of the South or will be contained in my next Sending.

Basileophyta

Compositae

Diosmeae

Euphorbiacae