St. Andrew's College, Sandhurst1
26/2/84
Dear Sir
I have this morning received yours about Thelymitra.2 I found it under (on the face of) an overhanging sandstone cliff 200 yds from Mt Victoria Stn3 on the Blue Mts.4 — said cliff being on the left hand side of the line as we proceed from Sydney. It was the only specimen I could find. I tried other similar spots round there but was unsuccessful. It was a single flower upon a single stem.
I regret that I cannot speak positively about the leaf. If there had one or if it had been at all peculiar I think I should have taken it — but in travelling it might have got lost before I was able to arrange them. Perhaps another specimen may be got at same place same date next year.
Yesterday I posted for you some flowers from the Darling5 — to your town address — I shall post this to the same lest the word Drouin might not be enough. I think I have travelled round through the glen where you are staying6 — magnificent forest scenery & some fine water courses. The mention of the chapel & afternoon Service leads me to think it Northward of Drouin some 5 miles. I regret exceedingly that the cough is still troublesome, but I trust your general health & strength are improving & that you will find the cough pass away with returning strength.
With kindest regards
I am
yours sincerely
R Thom
Thelymitra
Now Bendigo, Vic.
Letter not found, but the specimen being discussed is undoubtedly Thelymitra venosa (MEL 1550454) collected by Thom in December 1883 from 'Blue Mountains'; the AVH specimen record notes under 'Habitat': 'With Epacris crassif[olia] and Drosera linata. From an overhanging rock'.
Station.
NSW.
Darling River, NSW. Although the dates do not match precisely, see R. Thom to M, 23 February 1884, mentioning sending plants from the Darling. It is probable that the package of plants was sent separately from the letter.
M had gone to Drouin, in Gippsland, Vic, in the hope of shaking off the persistent bronchitis from which he was suffering.
Please cite as “FVM-84-02-26a,” 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