To Richard Owen   5 October 1886

5 October 1886

By this post, dear Sir Richard, you will receive a small package (registered) containing the young of an Ornithorrhynchus in its earliest stage. Indeed it is smaller than that of the Trachyglossum,¹ sent a quarter of a century ago.² Since then I had urged also on the Rev. Pastor Hagenauer the desirability, to let his keen-eyed disciples look for the minute youngs of Ornithorrhynchus, as this marvellous creature is not unfrequent in the many well watered regions of Gippsland,³ the German mission-station being in a favourable position for these searches. The Rev. Gentleman accordingly made former sendings of adult animals for dissection to you already; but — as you will notice from the enclosed print⁴ — it is now only that the just born young is obtained for the first. I do not call it hatched, as in a note of mine, which you published long ago⁵ it was shown that the Ornithorrynchus laies a soft-shelled egg, hence there can be no incubation-process as in the case of the Aves. Mr Hagenauer also in this instance noticed no remnants of any calcareous shell in what must be looked on as the bed (not the nest) of an ornithorrhynchus. For this discrimination I have contended for many years.⁶ In the case of the animal, captured on the Goulbourne River⁷ in 1860 or 1859, the ovum was extruded most likeley forcedly through the anxiety of the animal. To me it seemed always, that the Monotremata must be looked on as ovoviviparous. Some how neither Mr Caldwell's principal papers on this subject, nor Dr Haacke's⁸ came under my notice, the exigencies of the departmental service leaving little time for other researches. As two more species of Trachyglossum have been discovered in New Guinea, we may from the enlarged fields, now open for observation, gain yet many additional data on this important subject.

Of course, about the channels or burrows, made by the Ornithorrhynchus, (the opening concealed below ordinary water level,) our venerable friend, Dr G. Bennett, gave already some account, as well as of the nest like beds of these animals. So far, therefore, this new addition to the knowledge of the Monotremata does not afford support to the ascendence-theory.

The mother of the little Ornithorrhynchus died soon after arrival in the Royal Park, and I understand, that Mr Le Soeuf will forward her to you. I should gladly have entrusted the young to the care of our kind friend Prof. McCoy, for bringing to you, as he will start in a few weeks for Europe, he being on sick leave, after ⅓ centuries teaching, museum and literary work here. But as the Professor will arrive in Europe during midwinter, he may perhaps stay a while in Italy; and thus it seemed best, to send you this unique specimen by post directly.

While writing I received the enclosed telegram, which I forward,⁹ so that it may reach you by this mail.

Perhaps you may not have become aware that the genus Owenia ¹⁰ has recently been traced to the Indian Archipelago.¹¹

Trusting, dear Sir Richard, that your health continues firm, and thus you can enjoy fully all your great triumphs,

I remain regardfully your

Ferd von Mueller.

Did I send you a copy of the "Census of Australian plants"?¹² If not, one might prove acceptable as a catalogue of the plants of this Continent, in a novel form and according to a simplified system.¹³