Sir Fredk von Mueller Kt
&c &c &c
Melbourne
Kempsey House
East Kempsey
McLeay River1
April 23rd 1869
Dear Sir
I received a note from my friend Mrs Tozer, about a "climbing Erythrochus"2 found in this district.
My son Mr Augustus Rudder, lately sent some plants & a flower of this gigantic orchid to Mr Robt Fitzgerald of the Survey Department Sydney, which have been shown to Mr Wm Woolls of Parramatta,3 who appears to have been very much interested in them.
I regret to say, it is now just out of bloom, & therefore for some time to come I shall not have it in my power to procure any flowers. The plant however can be obtained, & I think the seed pod. I believe there is one growing on a Tree, on some land of my son's of very large dimensions. The blossom covered a space of near 7 feet in length, & of proportionable breadth. This spot is 28 miles from my residence, & not frequently visited by any of my family. There are some growing on my son Augustus's land about 7 miles distant, which he will kindly preserve & procure.
I should like to know from you, how you wish them (should I succeed in obtaining plants) sent, so as to reach you with as little delay as possible. If direct from here on consignment to any friend or agent in Sydney.
I remain
Dear Sir
Yours faithfully
E W Rudder
P.S. What has become of Dr Beckler? I should much like to know.
Erythrochus
Please cite as “FVM-69-04-23a,” 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