Chinaman's Wells
Coorong, So. Australia
26 Nov. 1879.
Dr Muëller F.R.S.
Botanist &c &c
Melbourne
My dear Sir
My personal acquaintance with you long back is scarcely a good reason for my presumption, but I have reason sufficient in other respects to prefer you for the following enquiries
The profusion of the growth of the enclosed on the sand hills of the Coorong induces me to ask the following questions
1. Size when ripe?
2. Is it eatable?
3 What is known of it?
With all possible respect
I have the honor to be, Sir
your very obt Servant
John Phillip
MS found with a specimen of Adriana sp. (MEL 107869). The collector of the specimen is indexed as 'Phillips, J'; there are no collections in MEL attributed to 'Phillip, J' (AVH accessed 19 April 2023). The signature has a sweeping underline continuous with the end of the surname, and it may have been read as 'Phillips'. No 'John Phillip' or 'John Phillips' can be positively identified as the author of this letter.
Please cite as “FVM-79-11-26,” 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