To Edward Ramsay   13 May 1878

13/5/78.

 

When a few days ago, dear Mr Ramsay, Signor D'Albertis was here,1 he told me of a remarkable probably Araliaceous plant, which had square white spots copiously on the leaves. He got no flowers & fruits, but brought with him living plants to Sydney, which with others he will sell for £20:—

Among the plants are also a lot of orchids, which alone ought to be very valuable. Signor D'Albertis telegraphed to Sydney to learn whether they were sold, but when he left he had no answer and I forgot to obtain the adress of the agent, which no doubt you could easily find out.

The variegated plant alone must be worth a great deal. Perhaps anyhow, your influence & kindness may secure me the means of describing any of these plants wherever they come into bloom

Regardfully

Ferd. von Mueller.

1
Luigi Maria d'Albertis was travelling from Sydney to London and visited M during the period the SS Garonne was in Melbourne, from 7 May until it 'cleared out' on 10 May ( Argus , 8 May 1878, p. 4; 11 May 1878, p. 6).

Please cite as “FVM-78-05-13,” 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 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/78-05-13