Melbourne bot Garden
28/4/66.
This day only, dear Sir George, I received the Opuntia with the ova of Coccus Cacti.1 I am not certain, whether not the period of transit was too long for the retention of vitality of the ova. As yet I have noticed no life in any of the maternal abdominal remnants; still the hatching process may yet commence. I shall pay every attention to this little treasure consigned by your Excellency to my care. I have several species of large Opuntiae under cultivation, so that the percentage of pigment obtainable from insects reared on different species may be ascertained. I will report progress to your Excellency. I had the pleasure to meet Dr M'Kinnon, with whose brother I am particularly befriended.2 Since Dr MacKinnon evinces a warm interest in acclimation-pursuits, I shall be able to secure his kind attention to some small contributions destined for your Excellencys during the voyage.
I remain,
dear Sir George,
Your profoundly regardful
Ferd. Mueller
Opuntia
Please cite as “FVM-66-04-28,” 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