Melbourne bot. Garden
16/6/63
My dear Sir William.
Having fully written to Mr Bentham on affairs, connected with the Australian flora,1 I merely beg to say, that I have forwarded in his Excellencys Despatchbag a few select ferns to you, obtained from Mr C. Moore. The most interesting seems to me a Trichomanes very distinct from T. venosum, the only continental Australian species, with which I am hitherto acquainted except T. venosum.
I have consulted your spec. filicum2 and cannot identify it with T. [m]eifolium or T. strictum or any other species of the category, to which it evidently belongs. It is curious, that this was the first plant, given to me when I met Mr Moore just coming from Illawarra, when I first had a personal interview with him in Sydney in 1855. He had then the plant living; it has since been fo[un]d by him in other places, and if you have an opportunity of publishing it soon, it will be well, as it is now in the hands of several botanists. I think it should bear Mr Moores name.3 Could it not be introduced into the Bot. Magazine, as I will be answerable to send living plants to you along with Gymnogramm[e]? Muelleri.
Cases of Acaciae &c are sent to you pr Roxburgh Castle & Anglesey, and ferns &c pr Great Britain; I will keep up briskly these consignments, if I remain well.
There are I think yet several of my Wardian Cases at Kew, and altho' with exception of the Araucariae little arrived alife, I have no doubt you took the will for the deed. May I therefore ask you to let me have one or two cases back refilled with any treasures you can readily spare and which are readily multiplied. Our collection of Gesneriaceae, Cactaceae, Begonieae and epiphytal Orchideae is anything but rich and the impatient and stirring people here require always something new to be satisfied with our conservatory. I will in turn do all I can for you and await expressions of your special wishes.
Ever yours with sincerest regards
Ferd. Mueller.
I have so long wished to possess your portrait? Now as my intended journey to Europe is indefinitely postponed, I venture to ask to supply me with a picture of yours, photographic or otherwise; for we do not know how long we may remain coëtans, especially as my health is fluctuating and the pleasure of contemplating the picture of a noble man, to whom I owe so much, may be a brief one.
Ever yours
Ferd Mueller
Acacia
Araucaria
Begonieae
Cactaceae
Gesneriaceae
Gymnogramme Muelleri
Orchideae
Trichomanes meifolium
Trichomanes strictum
Trichonomes venosum
Please cite as “FVM-63-06-16,” 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 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/63-06-16