Surveyor Generals
Office Sydney,
17 July 77
Dear Baron,
I enclose the seed of the Pittosporum of Howes Island1 and young plant in seed leaf. The germination appears to me to be unusual, also a plant said to be poisonous (?) for name (and properties of which if known) I should feel obliged.
Yours truly,
Robt D Fitzgerald.
Pittosporum
Lord Howe Island. Fitzgerald was sent to Lord Howe’s Island in November 1876 to investigate and report on the state of the islanders who had been reported 'to be living in a condition of adversity and hardship'. His party included John Duff of the Sydney Botanic Gardens, while mainly intended to collect plants, would also be able to offer a view on the 'soil and general resources of the island' (Sydney morning herald, 20 November 1876, p. 5). Fitzgerald (1877) is a general account of the journey, and Fitzgerald (1877a) is his official report.
MS annotated: 'Found with a specimen that does not relate to this letter'. MS annotation by M: 'Answ 20/7/77'. Letter not found.
Please cite as “FVM-77-07-17,” 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