Leschenault1
Aug 3rd 1881
Baron F. von Mueller.
Adelaide2
Dear Sir.
Lately while visiting my cattle run3 I went to a most extraordinary formation of granite boulder rocks to the extent of 2 or 3 acres & growing on these rocks, I gathered some very beautiful Ferns which were quite new to me, & Mr Clifton4 has begged me to send them to you as he thinks they would interest you, so that I am forwarding them by the mail, but I gathered one or two other kinds more beautiful than the enclosed, but they were so delicate that they were too much dried up before I could press them so that they were spoilt, but I shall be going out there before long again & shall make a point of going to the same spot again when I shall get a large quantity & if there is anything new & you would like to have any more I shall be very happy to forward them to you
I remain
Yours Truly
J. Forster Johnston
WA.
sic. The letter evidently reached M, notwithstanding its being mis-addressed.
On the Preston River, east of Bunbury, WA (South western times (Bunbury), 22 May 1835, p. 3).
In 1874 Forster Johnston had married a daughter of Robert Williams Clifton, and before his marriage had managed the Leschenault property of her uncle, W. Pearce Clifton (South western times (Bunbury), 22 May 1835, p. 3). Many Clifton relatives resided in the area of Australind and Leschenault, and it is not possible to positively identify the Clifton who urged that M receive the specimen.
MS found with a specimen of Asplenium furcatum (MEL 114819). MS annotation by M: 'Answ 29/8/81'. Letter not found.
Please cite as “FVM-81-08-03,” 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