Melbourne 12/9/74.
I am gratified with your letter, dear Mr Ramsay, and with the deep interest you take in the exploration of N Guinea, which to you must have the additional interest of its zoology.
I am so charmed with the idea of going there (with you) myself, that I cannot disburden it from my mind.
As Mr Francis1 is no longer my ministerial Chief I could trust myself away for a few months, and my health needs the change sadly. The main charm of N. Guinea concentrates itself in this; who will be the first to mount the alps and render known its living creation.
Commodore Goodenough has a rare (and not reoccurring) chance to distinguish himself in the field of geography and biology. May the excellent Officer embrace it.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller.
The horsehair-plant is most interesting I suppose one day we shall have fruit of it.2
Please cite as “FVM-74-09-12a,” 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 29 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/74-09-12a