To Joseph Hooker   25 December 1879

Christmas

1879.

As regards the Dicksonia from the Upper Hunter-River allied to D. fibrosa, dear Sir Joseph, I will make some enquiries, but I assume, that it is a mere form of D. antarctica (perhaps young state?)¹

It is very kind of you, to offer spare samples of vegetable products from the Indian Museum. Of course I should most gladly accept them, but as I shall not be able to add to my only Museum Room, which is crammed with the herbarium, perhaps you could kindly arrange to keep the articles (packed in boxes) for a short time there yet. I shall see soon, whether likely any means for extending the Museum-Building will be granted to me in the new finance year; if not, the articles could then be despatched by you to any other British Institution.

I will send you some species of Xanthorrhoea in a vigorous growing state, as have not yet flowered at your princely Department. My God! how oppressed and stultified do I find myself placed now, without almost any Departmental means, to keep up my position, when I read of the glorious successes of Kew in your Report.

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller.

Dicksonia antarctica

Dicksonia fibrosa

Xanthorrhoea