From Ferdinand von Mueller to the Editor of the Australasian   5 Dec 1864¹

Sir,—

In the last number of your instructive paper a correspondent records the supposed occurrence of two epiphytal orchids in the Terrick Terrick Ranges.² Having advanced, in a previous number of your journal, the statement that within the boundaries of the colony of Victoria no epiphytal orchids are known to exist, except at Apollo Bay and in the remotest east of Gipps Land,³ I feel called upon to remark that, from the intelligent observations of your correspondent, it is evident that the plants he alludes to are mistletoes, of which some Australian species produce gorgeous flowers. The Loranthus, with cord-like leaves, found, though by no means exclusively, on Casuarinae (or so-called Sheoaks), is well known as Loranthus preissii, and widely dispersed throughout the Australian continent.

Allow me, Sir, to offer simultaneously some remarks on a note in the same journal on the supposed absence of anemoneous plants in Victoria. The writer, who evinces a most creditable interest in our flora, calls in question the correctness of my statement, that "all the genuine tribes of Ranunculaceae are found represented in Victoria,"⁴—a statement recorded in my work on the indigenous plants of our colony (vol. 1, page 2).⁵ In this work the four genuine tribes of this order are characterised, and by reference to this book it will be observed that the Anemoneae, through the genus Mysaurus,⁶ claim a place in an arrangement of Victorian plants, recent researches having transferred that genus to the anemoneous tribe.

With obedience, yours,

FERD. MUELLER

Melbourne, Botanic-gardens, Dec. 5.

Anemoneae

Casuarinae

Loranthtus preissii

Mysaurus

Ranunculaceae