To George Story   11 January 1869

Fenton-Forest¹

11/1/69.

Just before I left Melbourne, dear Dr Story, to invigorate my health by an alpine journey in Tasmania, I received your very kind letter, announcing the arrival of another consignment of plants, which you so thoughtfully and so obligingly prepared for me. The plants arrived at the very moment of my departure, hence I shall only see them on my return to Melbourne, which will take place this week. It is my intention to furnish an other short essay on the plants of Tasmania for the R.S. of Hobarton & this will give me an opportunity to refer to your new contribution also, for which I am deeply obliged. I shall not fail to name your plants as you suggested and only regret, that the absolute necessity of my resuming my Office duties on Friday this week forbids my paying you a visit and to pay you thus at your own residence my respect & wander with you over your hills & dales, a pleasure, which I hope some day to enjoy, if providence spares for me life & health. I believe you will be able to add yet to the water-plants of Tasmania. There ought yet several Lemnae to be found, not to speak of more inconspicuous water weeds.

I examined the vegetation of Mount Field East, a lo[cality] phytologically unknown before, and have brought from thence a large number of rare plants, though no absolute novelties. Should you kindly send me again a few plants at any time, would you oblige me with a few geological specimens then also.

With regardful salutation your

Ferd von Mueller

I cannot but think that we are as yet not acquainted with all the water- and swamp-plants of Tasmania both from fresh & brackish water

Lemna