My dear Dr Mueller
The enclosed sprig of poison plant was sent to me from Natal Downs near Suttor River in the upper part of Queensland. as I am informed several thousand sheep & some hundreds of cattle have died in consequence of eating it. Horses as appears have hitherto abstained from it or if they have partaken of it have not suffered1
I hope the specimen is in a condition which will permit of your recognising it. If so I will feel much obliged by your kindly letting me know some particulars of its family & kindred & if there be any antidote or effectual mode of removing the ill effects of its noxious qualities
Believe me to be my dear Dr Mueller
Very faithfully your
Redmond Barry
Carlton Gardens
August 2. 1864
M had recently reported the deleterious effects of the same plant to the Royal Society of Victoria; see M to the Royal Society of Victoria, July 1864 (in this edition as 64-07-00b).
MS found with a specimen of Gastrolobium grandiflorum (MEL 247151) that is also accompanied by an envelope addressed to ‘Sir Ferd. Von Mueller | Government Botanist | Melbourne’. However, this cannot be connected with the letter since M had received neither his knighthood nor his ‘von’ at the time the letter was written.
Please cite as “FVM-64-08-02,” 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