Private.
20/5/91.
This day, dear Dr Ramsay, I forward by post (registered) a parcel with small bird-skins, obtained by the exploring party, which was sent by the Vict. Branch of the R.G.S.A.1 on an expense of £300.- .- to ascend Mt Yule in N.G.2 Four skins of as many large Papuan species of Birds remain here, as the species have been identified by Mr Ch. French.3 The small kinds are four, now sent on loan to you for examination; but Mr Macdonald wishes these specimens, which for us here are all unique, to be returned as soon as possible. As I am due to dine with the Governor on Saturday, I would like very much, that you send me a telegram not later than Saturday noon4 to the effect, whether any of these small birds are new to science, as I would request, supported by Mr Macdonald, that then one species be named by you in honor of Lady Hopetoun, who is just returning to Victoria.5 I could then hand your telegram to his Excellency on Saturday-Evening.
As you are so conversant in Papuan Ornithology, I presume, that you will be able at a mere glance to say, whether novelties are among these birds. Some few Saurians exist in the Mt Yule Collection also, and as we want early to furnish their names to Sir Will. Macgregor6 for his next report, the question arises, whether you would examine them with the aid of the Museum-Staff there, if these specimens were also sent to you on loan. I can however not do this on my own responsibility, and perhaps Prof Spencer or Dr Denby7 may wish to attend to these Saurians.8
With regardful remembrance your
Ferd. von Mueller.
I have not heard from Dr Bennett for a long time. Is he a nonagenarian now?9 Bring him my best salutation.
Royal Geographical Society of Australasia.
New Guinea.
Amost certainly Charles French Snr.
That is, by 25 May!
No Papuan bird named for Lady Hopetoun has been found in databases of Papuan bird names.
i.e., MacGregor.
Error for Arthur Dendy?
Vis (1892) reports on mammals, birds and reptiles in the annual report for 1890-1891; Tyron (1892) dealt with the Hemiptera, the only insect group discussed.
George Bennett, d. 1893; he had celebrated his 87th birthday on 31 January 1891.
Please cite as “FVM-91-05-20,” 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