To William Hooker ¹    24 May 1864

Melbourne bot Garden

24/5/64.

My dear Sir William

I have to thank you for an other kind letter you honored me with by last mail. I am glad that I am still occasionally able to add to your collection of ferns some trifles, by which the knowledge of the extent of the species becomes advanced. The two Lycopodia now sent & new to the flora of Australia, altho' identical (as far as I can judge) with Indian ones will be interesting to you, should you in your new work (the synopis) include the Lycopodinae.² The synopsis will, I presume, serve to a certain extent as a supplement to the species filicum.³ It is truely wonderful to see you working so productively on your ferns and many other plants and I admire the noble zeal which prompts you to commence a new publication. Mr Dallachy, now stationed in the coast regions of N E Australia, is likely to bring to knowledge many additional ferns.

May I remind you of my Carices? As poor Booth⁴ is dead & no one likely to continue his work, I should be glad to have the small collection back again to fill up the chasm in the public collection. As regards the ferns you may deem it preferable to retain perhaps the collection for successive inspection of the parcels; but as most of the species are in all their forms so well known to you & thus the specimens only afford occasionally new information on locality perhaps you might kindly arrange (if it can be done with perfect convenience) that I receive back the main-lot soon.⁵ There is of course in my Museum frequent occasion to consult the collection, as ferns are such general favorites with the Ladies. However I do by no means urge the early return of the specimens.

With the warmest wishes for your health & with constant cordial attachment

I remain dear Sir William, yours,

Ferd. Mueller

Carex

Lycopodinae