To Edward Ramsay   20 April 1877

20/4/77.

 

I just got your kind letter of the 16th, dear Mr Ramsay,1 also the specimen from Polynesia. It is, so far as I can see without fruit, a Maesa, which seems new and I will describe as M. Ramsayi.2 It is pleasing to hear, that you intend to send a collector to N.G.3

Send some specimens, [more] advanced in flower & finally with fruit of the maesa

As I can safely confide in you I would mention, that I have some idea of going there myself with Mr Goldie next month, if satisfactory arrangements can be made with the Ministry here. The person, who has my place, staff, plants, buildings 4 fold increased & votes,4 would unscrupulously do everything to destroy the rest of my position, if I make not careful arrangements before.

Please tell me, whether your collector will join D'Albertis5 or Goldie, or will go another line?

What means of shipping or passage has he? Is he sent from your Museum or the Dobroyde Nursery? 6 My health is bad; I want exercise in the open air for a few months, and could employ that time best in the mountains of New Guinea. Mr Lawes thinks it unlikely, that the high mountains can be reached this year, as the natives are as yet unapproached there.

Capt Armit has done good service, thanks to your impulses. He has taste & education for science work.

Please inform me early about your collectors plan by telegram. What do you estimate the cost of his going? Will he take horses? Could the Commodore not spare a ship for a few months?

your regardfully

Ferd von Mueller7

 

Maesa Ramsayi

1
Letter not found.
2
M did not publish this name.
3
New Guinea.
4
William Guilfoyle.
5
Luigi Maria d'Albertis.
6
The collector, sent by the Australian Museum, was Alexander Morton (Australian Museum: report from Trustees for 1877, p. 2; and the Report for 1878, Appendix IX, pp 15-16: "List of specimens collected by the Museum collector, Alex. Morton, around Port Moresby"). The collection was almost entirely birds, with some mineral specimens. Morton accompanied the expedition organised by Andrew Goldie (see 'Mr. Morton's tour in New Guinea', Sydney morning herald, 4 March 1878, p. 5).
7
See also M to E. Ramsay, 1 May 1877.

Please cite as “FVM-77-04-20,” 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/77-04-20