From John McKibbin¹    27 October 1881

Victoria Parade

Maryboro'²

27/10/81

Baron Von Mueller K.C.M.G. &c

Dear Sir

From the appearance of the inclosed specimen, I think the³ differ so much from the T. Antennifera & T. McMillani,⁴ that I venture to send them for your consideration — No 1 is found in the same locality as T. Antennifera but the latter is out of flower for some time as well as T. McMillani & no 2 is always marked in the three upper sepals & seems much shorter in the sepals but possibly the difference is immaterial. Of No 1 are just coming in flower but I only got 8 or 10 specimens on two hills distant half a mile & nearly all the Orchids are out of bloom — M. Porrifolia⁵ & Prasophyllum excepted —

Respecting water plants I regret to say we have no clear or permanent water here⁶ — merely dams of dirty mud with no vegetation except a little here & there of algae, adhering to sticks — I purpose taking a trip to the Loddon⁷ shortly where I will have an opportunity of collecting some I hope when I shall let you know if successful — Mining work prevent any permanent water being about here — even what is to supply the town is quite thick until precipitated

I shall send a few more of the commoner plants & shrubs for you to kindly name as I wish your authority respecting them before I give the name to a few enquirers here — I am endeavouring to get a few young men to take to collecting natural history

I am Dear Sir,

Yours obediently

John N McKibbin

Microtis porrifolia

Prasophyllum

Thelymitra Antennifera

Thelymitra McMillani