From John Baldry   3 September 1883

Wildwood Flinders¹

Sept 3 [1883]

To Baron von Mueller

Government botanist

Sir

At the suggestion of Mr Geo Sherwood a resident of this district I have taken the liberty of asking If you will kindly give me the name of a (to me) new Tree fern that is if my description will enable you to do so I have at present only seen one specimen of it which has a stem about 4ft long and only about 2 inches in diameter the stems of the Fronds are covered with a scaly soft moss like substance and adhere to the stem of the tree after they are dead and replaced by others In the specimen mentioned remains of the old Fronds are on the stem to within a few inches of the ground.

I may add I think the green fronds have a slightly softer feel to the hand then the other two verieties Dicksonia antarctica and the Alsophila Australis

I found it in a Creek that rises near Arthurs Seat² and flows into the sea near Cape Schanck. I enclose a small portion of frond

Apologising for the liberty I have taken

I have the honour

to be Sir

Your Obedient Servt

John Baldry

Wildwood

Flinders

Alsophila Australis

Dicksonia antarctica