Melbourne 10/4/75.
Two days ago, rev. & dear Sir, I returned home or rather to Melbourne, for I am homeless since I was deprived of my dwelling in the bot. Garden, and as therewith my whole position became ruined and my last property swept away, I am erring at present homeless about, without hardly anyone here to take an interest in my fate or willing to make the slightest effort for a honorable restoration of my position.
Unsettled as I am thus by the intrusion of a person from Sydney1 and unable to arrange for proper departmental work out of a mere modest and insecure salary, I cannot go closely into the question of your fossils just now. You have however rediscovered the Rhytidocaryon Wilkinsonii, of which you found 4 specimens, which have given me a better idea of the position of that genus than I had before. I have sent these 4 specimens to Mr Wilkinson with a fuller description, so that he may utilize them for the lithogram, which he intends to issue on this hitherto unpublished plant.2 Among your fossils are also Penteune Clarkei and Phymatocaryon angulare, both which I send now back. The fossil wood & the leaves I will send to Dr Schimper in Strassburg;3 while the few other fruits I will retain (if you permit) until more material accumulates & I feel more comforted for the approaching unprovided evening of a labourious and toilsome life.
With grateful & regardful remembrance always your
Ferd. von Mueller.
Penteune Clarkei
Phymatocaryon angulare
Rhytidocaryon Wilkinsonii
Please cite as “FVM-75-04-10,” 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 23 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/75-04-10