To Joseph Hooker   November 1882

I almost expected, that the venerable Bentham did not care, to add a volume to the flora Australiensis,¹ when so much more important work remains for him to be done otherwise. But it would have been unbecoming, to pass so great a man on a matter, in which he is so much interested. Tell me kindly, dear Sir Joseph, whether Mr Lovell Reeve’s firm could legally or equitably or morally raise any objection to an eight² volume of the Flora Australiensis being published in Melbourne. If this at all is done, I see no other way, as its coming out here. Of course if the firm objects, I can give to the additional volume an other title, and make it not strictly supplemental in the paging &c. However there is no hurry about it, and I may defer the issue, til more additions have come in, say 2 or 3 years.