To Edward Ramsay   18 November 1885

18/11/85.

The little herb, dear Mr Ramsay, covering "large patches on moist ground" is Macgregoria racemigera. I know it only as yet from one place in N.S.W., near Caiwarro;¹ probably your locality is a new one. The plant is most interesting, as connecting Stackhousiaceae, Phytolacceae and Lineae.

Kindly let me know, whether you have seen it in various places, also whether the flowers are fragrant. I should like to have a small supply of fruiting specimens, if easily to be got. Th² other plant, as you say, is a Dodonaea (D. viscosa L. var. attenuata.)

I will examine the vegetable growth on the spongiaceous organisma, so soon as I have a little leisure; but the R. Commission for new cultures,³ the London Exhib;⁴ and the Key" of the Vict. flora⁵ give much additional work, to which the anxieties and aid-efforts about the Fly-River Expedition⁶ will and does, add. I was against any River Expedition (this in confidence)

It is very kind of you, to have got me some of the Parrots;⁷ you must be very busy anyhow; but happily you are young and strong.

Perhaps Mr Masters⁸ could draw up in spare time the list of genera and note of number of species of the West Australian Fauna, for some fair⁹ remuneration. If so, he might communicate with the Rev. Mr Nicolai, B.Sc; M.A., Hon. Sec. of the Exhib. Commisioners, Perth, W.A.¹⁰

Regardfully

your

Ferd. von Mueller.¹¹

Dodonaea attenuata

Dodonaea viscosa

Lineae

Macgregoria racemigera

Phytolacceae

Stackhousiaceae