From Ellie Bauer¹    9 March 1886

Vilele

Bloomfield River²

March 9th 86

Baron Von Mueller

Dear Sir

I send by parcel post, a packet of specimens containing:—

1. a small plant with purple flower — found on the mountains in cold & very damp places. It grows about four or five inches high, & has a little bunch of most delicate purple flowers — I am most anxious to know if it is new — will you let me know when you write.

2. fern found growing in very damp shady backs of creeks, & in the scrubs.

3. Is a specimen of a palm, found in the scrub growing about forty feet high — stem about four inches in diameter.

The one I send is very young. The stem is only just beginning to form — when growing resembles the Zamia — but unlike it, grows in dense scrub — at a good height above the sea level. I have not been able to obtain the flowers or fruit of it.

I have not yet got any flowers of that curious red seeded tree — But will not forget your request, when the tree flowers.

My expenses up to date amount to 12/4 (twelve shillings & four pence) — which includes postage, wharfage, export entry, shipping etc — on the different packages I have sent either by post or by steamer, I always have to send my packets by letter post & put the full amount in stamps on, according to the weight, as the post office officials in Cooktown detain them unless I do — saying, I cannot send things of commercial (?) value by book post — I hope I have not put you to too much expense

yours sincerely

Ellie Bauer

Zamia