Melbourne bot Gardens
17 Sept 1857
Reverend Sir
My brother in law, Dr Edw. Wehl, informs me, that you were desirous of opening a botanical correspondence with me. In anticipation of this, I beg to adress you, and to express my sincere pleasure of having the opportunity of enjoying the intercourse with a gentleman of your high attainments.
In this busy part of the globe, we are all getting beyond much ceremony; I hope you will therefore pardon me for molesting you at once with a few questions.
Would it be possible to get in flower and fruit a set of specimens from the botanically little known scrubs of Morris' station near Guichen Bay, to which I paid only a passing visit 9 years ago.
I am particularly anxious for flower — and fruit — specimens of the red Honeysuckle (Banksia) a dwarf species of the scrub of the Coorong; also for a portion of ripe fruits of the Guichen Bay Native Apple.
Mr Doughty, my brother in law, tells me, that in the Salt lakes of Mackintosh Run (Mosquito-plains a weed exists abundantly, of which I should be glad to examine specimens.
I enclose a leaf of a plant from Kangaroo Island. A similar very rare species with larger leaves and white flower-bunches grows on or near Mount Benson. Of this a suite of specimens and ripe seeds would be very welcome.
With this mail I beg to send you a little pamphlet, to show you, in what way novelties are published, and hope that you will be able to contribute to the continuation.
Obediently
Ferd Mueller.
Rev Mr Woods
&c &c &c
On Eucalypti &c Dr Wehl would be able to give instructions as regards collecting
Banksia
Eucalyptus
Photocopy — original letter not found.
Please cite as “FVM-57-09-17,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on