Gulgong1
3 Septr 1881
Dear Baron Mueller
Herewith, in separate parcel I am sending you a botanical specimen which to me is a curiosity. It is the long leaf-less string-like tendril a plant that has so closely entwined round a species of the Heath family (Epacridea). But what I considered worth noting & singular, was the close attachment of the climber, by means of flattened discs placed at short intervals, to the supporting plant: — by which apparently it seems to derive its chief nourishment. In fact it appeared to me to have become a parasite. I should esteem it a favour if you would kindly let me have your opinion on this combination.
In the same box, I put in a dry specimen of some leaves of a plant in which I found a whitish mass, not unlike a fungoid growth in appearance. I placed it under the microscope but failed to recognize it as such.
I have the honour to remain
Yours faithfully
Chas E. Barnard. M.D.
Baron Ferd von Mueller
K.C.M.G., FRS &c
Epacridea
Please cite as “FVM-81-09-03,” 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