To William Hooker   3 September 1855

On board the "Monarch" 3 Sept. 1855

Sir William.

In a very few days we expect to reach our destination at the Victoria River, and as our attention then will be fully required to disembark our horses sheep and stores and to protect them against the natives I avail myself of a spare evening to adress these lines to you which will reach you via Singapore.

We advanced as far as Clarence Strait¹ prosperously, except that we grounded on a shoal, partially composed of coral reefs near Port Bynoe,² and we had a particularly agreable voyage through the inner passage along the barrier reefs, so that the horses, on which the success of the expedition depends to such great extent, did suffer less from their long prison, as could be anticipated. The necessity of anchoring for several nights at the more dangerous places on the way to Torres Strait as well as an afternoons stay at Albany Island gave me an opportunity of examining for the first time some of the tropical plants of Australia, and moreover our stay at Moreton Bay, where we received the horses and sheep for the expedition, enabled me also to form some botanical collections in the rich neighbourhood of that place.

With Mr Gregory's consent I have packed up all duplicates and all seeds gathered at these localitites, which will be send to the Colonial Office (London) through the honorable J. Church, Resident Councillor, Singapore. These collections are accompanied by the botanical description of such species as I consider as yet undescribed or wrongly classified, and also by lists of almost all the plants seen (but not always collected) at the respective localities. — The specimens (all in one box) amount to nearly 1000.³

Since I am however now of course destitute of any means of comparison and as I am even for want of room very [un]sufficiently provided with Books I must crave your indulgence with regard to some of the names of the plants adopted. Indeed I deem it under these circumstances requisite, that an English Botanist should compare the plants which I send with your herbarium previous to their publication. And I would beg to propose that the diligent and learned Mr Kippist should be entrusted with this burdensome task, should he feel inclined to grant it, and I should also feel but too happy to share with him the authorship as a recompense for his participation in this labour. These bot. sending will no doubt be forwarded to you by the Government.⁴ The manuscripts dwell upon the following plants: viz: Dennisonia nobil[is,] Nephelium tomentosum, Nephelium edentulum, Geijera multiflora, Cocculus Hookerianus, Polanisia insularis, Abutilon acutatum, Sida dictyocarpa, Euphorbia oraria, Phyllanthus gracillimus, Psoralina prostrata, Brachycome microcarpa, Lagenophora pachyrrhiza, Soliva acaulis, Monenteles gnaphaloides, Helichrysum oxylepis, Kippistia riparia, Glycycocca tiliifolia, Mitrasacme scabra & Cassyta cuscutiformis.⁵ —

Above all I am very anxious to see the sapindaceous genus Dennisonia confirmed, as it may be a species only of some of Blume's additional genera of that order, not inserted in Endlicher's genera.⁶ If you deemed the publication of these manuscripts necessary or desirable, it might also give a favourable opportunity of bringing some other allied new species under notice from my unpublished former manuscripts, for instance Cocculus Harveyanus,⁷ &c &c

It may not be quite uninteresting to sketch faintly the vegetation on which I had lately a passing glance; for altho' with few exceptions the plants alluded to in the index are no doubt long ago collected by the late Allan Cunningham still only a limited number had been brought by him under notice, and even where I enumerated plants common at Port Jackson, it must be deserving of remark, which of these advance to subtropical or even tropical latitudes. But this sketch could hardly be extended beyond the bare enumeration, and if I am at all entitled to venture any remarks on such limited material, they must not be viewed as conclusive. For even at Moreton Bay the briefness of our stay rendered it impossible to extend my botanical excursions beyond a few miles from the Brisbane River, — and it is but justice to state, that through Mr Hill's⁸ local knowledge I was enabled to add many a plant to the collection, which otherwise in such a flying visit might have escaped my notice.

On the mainland altho' not yet falling exactly within the circle of Capricorn the tropic[al] forms outnumbered far the rest, and in the shady ravines full of humidity disappeared almost entirely the characteristic vegetation of the more southern parallels of Australia. One of the most striking facts appeared to me to be the scantiness of the Compositae which form here like in the tropical isle[s] afterwards visited but an exceedingly small proportion of the vegetation. The genera Soliva and Spilanthes appear new to Australia. Sapindaceae and Euphorbiaceae are increasing as might be expected, but Epacrideae I saw only represented through a species of Leucopogon and Acrotriche, and Proteaceae by Grevillea robusta and a Banksia.

Orchideae comprehend many terrestrial ones from the south, whilst under the influence of the genial climate also the parasitical species occur and form a prominent feature in the vegetation Along with them the single forms of Platycerium grande, the numerous lianas, Calladium &c &c impart a luxuriance and grandeur to the scenery unusual in Australia. Mosses and Lichens are vastly on the decrease, and were almost wanting in the isles towards Torres Strait, which promises but a very poor harvest of them on the North Coast,

The dry sandy ridges and the swamps of Moreton Island produce in the contrary a vegetation almost alike to that of Port Jackson, as may be observed in the enumeration, which I prepared,⁹ still Pandanus Spermacoce, Bruguiera, Mucuna,¹⁰ Canavallia, Vigna, Dioscorea &c remind of the tropics. Epacrideae are particularly numerous, Tremandreae wanting.

The vegetation of the Islands which we visited on our way to Torres Strait (Isles off Cape Bedford, Howick's Group, Cairncross Island, Albany Island) exhibits mostly plants identical with species from India, or the South Sea Islands, Tribulus appears to be identical with the desert species from the Murray and Darling. Sesuvium[,]¹¹ Polycarpaea¹² and Polanisia I find unnoticed amongst Australian Genera, and Glycycocca,¹³ intermediate between Wallrothia and Vitex, is altogether new and not unworthy of notice on account of its pleasant fruits. Unfortunately only an unic. specimen was found of it. Mimusops Kauki is another fruit plant from these localities and occurs abundantly; in perfect maturity the fruit looses its adstringency and is then by no means to be despised. Araucaria was discernible on many of the islands which we passed but like Callitris observed on none of those on which we landed. —

On Albany Island a single proteaceous plant was observed, namely Grevillea gibbosa forming a tall bush or a very small tree, resembling in its dull grey foliage certain Eucalypti. Wahlenbergia gracilis was here also growing, and perhaps other herbaceous plants common in extratropical Australia would likewise been noticed in a more favourable season.

But of the most interesting points for plants yet unexplored in Eastern Australia we had only a view, but this view close enough to be tantalizing. I allude to the high bold ranges which approach here and there on the tropical eastern coast to the sea, as Mount Hinchinbrook (3500' high) Mount Bellenden Ker, and Cape Tribulation. In one glance we could see displayed before us favourable landing places, spurs for easy ascent,¹⁴ richly wooded groves with a varied tint of vegetation, and if I add to this the information gleaned from Mr Carron's narrative¹⁵ on the low land flora, who discovered here abouts in the unfortunate Kennedy's expedition a pitcher-plant, a Musa, Anacardium &c, — it is then unnecessary to speak of my ardent desire to return once to localities so promising for the enlargement of our favourite Science.

Our main labours are now soon to commence, and we will be banished from civilized society for a long period, I trust that we shall be able to retain strenght in the hot enervating climate, so as to gain the great results expected from this expedition, results which will probably be conclusive to the whole geography of Australia; and we are happy that the choice fell fortunately upon Mr Gregory as our leader, whose tried ability and pleasing serene manners can not fail to inspire all equally with confidence and devotion.

Should the botanical results to be gained during this journey be but proportionately small, which is very possible considering the nature of the expedition and the probable absence of high ranges in Central Australia —, I shall then not apply for extent of my leave of absence, to sail after our return to England, but shall rather continue my labours in some part of Australia, provided the Colonial Government will again supply limited subsidia for that purpose, and I should also be glad to quit then Victoria, unless I am unrestricted to the boundaries of that colony.¹⁶ — But if the Flora of the interior should prove so rich, as to answer to my sanguine expectations, and if the means of transport will admit of my collecting all the species occuring there, and above all if providence grants me life and health for this work — then I shall be greatly cheered in my home journey to Europe by the anticipation of the pleasure of paying you personally my respect and gaining so much information at your magnificent establishment.

But if I am not destined to return from this perilous enterprise, then I use, Sir William, this last opportunity of thanking you for all the kindness and support, which I hitherto experienced from you and which will never sink in oblivion during my life. I have given orders, as I wrote from Moreton Bay,¹⁷ that in case of my death the whole of my private herbarium comprising at least 15,000 sp. and 50,000 specimens of plants shall be bequeathed to Dr. Jos. Hooker.

Receive then, Sir William, once more my best  wishes for your welfare.

Ferd. Mueller

Sir Will. Hooker, K.H.

&c &c &c¹⁸

P.S. I observe that I omitted in the list Aegialitis annulata, which occurs on Howicks Group. Sonchus oleraceus and S. asper are if I right remember reunited in the Flora of New Zealand. I beg to point out besides the constant differences in the fruit, shape and size of the leaves, the difference in the internal structure of the stem.¹⁹

Since I wrote this letter the gentlemen of the schooner landed under Mr Gregory at Quaill Island where a few plants were obtained. They were the following: Pandanus spiralis, Spinifex fragilis, Eucalyptus sp. Ficus Sp. Polycarpaea sp. Rottlera sp. Jasminium divaricatum, Cassytha sp. Tacca pinnatifida, Menispermum sp.? a beautiful broadleaved Loranthus, a prostrate Sida with very short pedicels, and what I consider to be a new species of Chrysobalaneae (Basistylis).²⁰ There appears also to be at that place to judge from a few fragments a new genus of Polygoneae, but I am quite uncertain having seen neither leaves nor fruit. In the box with specimens forwarded to the Right Hon. the Secr. of State for the Colonies you will find a cucurbitac. plant[s] named Sicyos Cunninghami. Since then I had time to analyze it and observed it to belong together with a second sp. to the genus Zehneria. Neither of them agrees exactly with the general character in Endl. gen.²¹ and I have ventured consequently to describe both as distinct from the Norfolk Island plants. The other manuscripts are already packed up, so that I extract the diagnoses, in case you would be inclined to give them publication with the rest.²²

Zehneria Cunninghami

Sicyos sp. Cunningh msc.?

ramis gracilibus, foliis indivisis deltoideo — vel sagittato-hastatis acuminatis repandis denticulatis mucronulatis, floribus monoicis utriusque sexus in axi saepissime geminato conjuncto longe setaceo-pedunculatis, masculis triandris, femineis stamina sterilia producentibus, stigmatis tripartiti lobis sursum dilatatis revolutis, baccis subglobosis, seminibus compressis nigrescentibus basi obtusis margine leviter incrassatis.

In nemoribus secus flumen Brisbane, nec non in insulis sinus Moreton Bay.

Herba Sicyos angulati facie nisi gracilior.

Zehneria erythrocarpa

Foliis palmato-quinquelobis vel trilobis, laciniis oblique lanceolatis acuminatis mucronulatis margine denticulatis, medio laciniarum basi angustata, floribus monoicis axillaribus fasciculatis breviter pedunculatis, masculis triandris, femineis stamina sterilia producentibus, stigmatis tripartiti lobis subcordatis reflexis, baccis magnis subovatus rubris, seminibus turgidis margine crasso cinctis.

Antecedenti consociata

Herba praeeunte robustior. Folia pleraque 2-3" longa. Flores masculi paene semiunciales faemineis paulo majores. Fructus fere pollicares, interdum vitellini, saepius laetissime rubri, longitudinaliter albo-vittati.

Anthesis utriusque speciei sub hoc coelo perpetua.

There is amongst the plants forwarded to the Government a new genus allied to Euphorbia, which is furnished at the limb of the involucre instead of scaly bracteoles with tender white petals! or if you like bracteoles. I selected the name Petalandra for the Genus.

19 Sept. 1855

Tomorrow I shall leave in all probability the Monarch and I close therefore this letter. Mr Gregory will perhaps by an other way than through the hand of the Consul General of Singapore forward the specimens; he has not yet decided upon this point. On the entrance of the Victoria River are a few plants collected. I enumerate those with which I am more or less acquainted; Sporobolus Indicus, Jasminum divaricatum, Sesbania Australis, Aegialitis annulata, Rhizophora Mangle, Pandanus spiralis, Scaevola Koenig[ii]²³ Cycas media, Vitex ovata, Vitex triphylla (V. glabrata prox.) Melaleuca Sp. Eucal. Sp. Grevillea Sp. Hakea sp. Perso[onia] sp. Acacia sp Monencyanthes gnaphaloides, Ficus sp. Salicornia Indica, Cressa cretica, Careya, Pavetta sp. Asparagus fasciculatus, Aegiceras fragrans, Hemistemma dealbatum, Flagellaria Indica, a sp. of Dimetopia in which only one mericarp is developed (D. hemicarpa) Eriachne sp. But this is the autumn and consequently very few plants are to be observed in flower.²⁴

I remain, Sir William, your ever obliged  Servant

Ferd Mueller.

Abutilon acutatum

Acacia

Acrotriche

Aegialitis annulata

Aegiceras fragrans

Anacardium

Araucaria

Asparagus fasciculatus

Banksia

Basistylis

Brachycome microcarpa

Bruguiera

Calladium

Callitris

Canavallia

Careya

Cassyta cuscutiformis.

Cassytha

Chrysobalaneae

Cocculus Harveyanus

Cocculus Hookerianus

Compositae

Cressa cretica

Cycas media

Dennisonia nobilis

Dimetopia hemicarpa

Dioscorea

Epacrideae

Eriachne

Eucalyptus

Euphorbia oraria

Euphorbiaceae

Ficus

Flagellaria Indica

Geijera multiflora

Glycycocca tiliifolia

Grevillea gibbosa

Grevillea robusta

Hakea

Helichrysum oxylepis

Hemistemma dealbatum

Jasminium divaricatum

Kippistia riparia

Lagenophora pachyrrhiza

Leucopogon

Loranthus

Melaleuca

Menispermum

Mimusops Kauki

Mitrasacme scabra

Monencyanthes gnaphaloides

Monenteles gnaphaloides

Mucuna

Musa

Nephelium edentulum

Nephelium tomentosum

Orchideae

Pandanus spiralis

Pavetta

Persoonia

Petalandra

Phyllanthus gracillimus

Platycerium grande

Polanisia insularis

Polycarpaea

Polygoneae

Proteaceae

Psoralina prostrata

Rhizophora Mangle

Rottlera

Salicornia Indica

Sapindaceae

Scaevola Koenigii

Sesbania Australis

Sesuvium

Sicyos Cunninghami

Sida dictyocarpa

Soliva acaulis

Sonchus asper

Sonchus oleraceus

Spermacoce

Spilanthes

Spinifex fragilis

Sporobolus Indicus

Tacca pinnatifida

Tremandreae

Tribulus

Vigna

Vitex glabrata

Vitex ovata

Vitex triphylla

Wahlenbergia gracilis

Wallrothia

Zehneria Cunninghami

Zehneria erythrocarpa