To Joseph Hooker¹    25 March 1873

Melbourne bot garden

25/3/73

From the enclosed telegram² you will perceive, dear Dr Hooker, that the hon. W. H. Walsh, the Minister of the Lands Department of Queensland, would have sent me a set of Dr Tates³ plant from Mr Hann's recent expedition in the extremest N. E. of Australia, had my wish become timely known to the hon. Gentleman. I not even yet am aware, whether those plants went to you,⁴ but I anticipate so, altho' I shall not learn so in time for this months mail. You can easily understand that I am anxious to keep the Australian material for working here as complete as circumstances ever will permit; and I venture therefore to ask you, whether with your usual liberality you will let me have a set of any of the duplicates.⁵ Having been myself in tropical Australia for nearly two years, and having maintained Dallachy at Rockinghams Bay for eight years or more I am particularly anxious to have a look on Dr Tate's plant. I do not expect, that they will contain much novelty, but they are of course particularly interesting concerning the range of the species. I am most anxious to make a return gift in any way, you desire; and may thus again mention, that whenever large lot of spare plants of any species exist in the collections forwarded from time to time to Mr Bentham you may freely avail yourself of such not only for Kew, but also for your correspondents.

I am under a new obligation to you by your kindly sending me your own copy of G Reichenbach's Xenia.⁶ I feel quite ashamed to accept it, particularly as I am not able to make an adequate counterpresent. However I thank you much, and have used the work to advantage already, having seen for instance now that my Galeola foliata is quite distinct from the Indian species, and that G. Reichenbach's Eria! lim[eo]nophylox⁷ is an Oberonia.

My Cycas is just pushing leaves after having been planted fully 6 month ago. I have had Natal Zamia[s] dormant for four years; and finally on application of strong bottom heat started them yet into growth. Your Cycas may require it particularly, because it has been 4 month (if not longer) out of the ground, when you got it.⁸

This week our new Governor, Sir Geo Bowen, is to arrive; whether I am to find in him an other Sir Henry Barkly future will prove. Your illustration of the Bowenia in the bot Magazine recently,⁹ comes very much to my advantage, as you kindly quoted the fragmenta and I can show his Excellency the number, containing the plant. It will be a nice introduction to him.

Always with kind regards

Ferd. von Mueller

I have found out that Epipogium, Eulophia, Goodyera, Georchis, Alpinia, Amomum, Elettaria, Tapeinocheilos, occur in Australia.

Our friend the hon. George Macleay brought the case with your deciduous trees, so kindly sent by you. Many suffered on the way, but I will endeavour to bring them round.

Alpinia

Amomum

Bowenia

Cycas

Elettaria

Epipogium

Eria limeonophylox

Eulophia

Galeola foliata

Georchis

Goodyera

Oberonia

Tapeinocheilos

Zamia