To Joseph Hooker   1 August 1872

Melbourne

bot Garden

1/8/72.

The same ship, dear Dr Hooker, which brings you this letter, brings nine Cycas stems from North Queensland, the first which ever reached Europe. I was long anxious to try them, as stems 70 feet high can be obtained! But the intrusion on my Directorship and the loss of time merely to defend my Department brought this with other matters to the background. Please select the two best of these nine, one for Kew and one for Mr Booth of Flottback.¹ If they do arrive, and like Encephalartos do thrive again then I will get you a stem as long as a double oxen team with two drays can bring it over the mountains. My efforts in this direction, carried out with great spirit and energy by Mr Fitzalan, have led to one astounding fact, namely that millions of Cycas, (all tall) exist on a mountain chain not previously trodden, where Mr Fitzalan went to search. So there will be a new source of export, just like here in the south with the Todeas.

I will write fully by mail. Freight to London is paid.

The Orchids for Mr Bentham will come by the steamer Sommersetshire;² therefore they may arrive as early as the Cycas.

Always your

regardful

Ferd. von Mueller

The stems are consigned to the care of mess Ch Blackith & Co Cox Quay. Lower Thames Str³

I believe this is the only gigantic Cycas in the world, and the only gregarious one.⁴

Cycas

Encaphalartos

Todea