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From Kenric Bennett to Ferdinand von Mueller   3 Feb 1883

No 133

Macquarie St

Sydney

Feby 3rd 1883

The Baron

F. von Mueller

Melbourne

My dear Sir,

I enclose you a specimen of a climbing plant from the country between the Lachlan and Darling Rivers,1 the seeds of which when roasted are eaten by the aboragines The plant in question grows chiefly on sandy soil and attains a height of 6. or 7. feet but in all cases supported by some bush or small tree, when broken the stems exude a thick milky juice. Perhaps you would kindly name this plant for me?

When on the Lachlan recently I bore in mind your request for water plants from that locality and although it has been a most unpropitious season in consequence of the continued drought still I succeeded in obtaining specimens of some few species. These are now on their way from the Lachlan together with a collection of bird skins from the same locality for the Sydney Museum.2 When they arrive I will at once forward the plants to you

I remain my dear Sir

Yours very truly

K. H. Bennett

1

NSW.

2

i.e. the Australian Museum, Sydney.

3

MS found with a specimen of Leichhardtia sp. (MEL 113381). MS annotation by M: 'Answ 3/2/83'. Letter not found.

Please cite as “FVM-83-02-03,” 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 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/83-02-03