To Walter Gill   July 1891

213,	Ixodia achilleoides, RBr. The narrow-leaved form
214,	Verbascum Creticum. (Introduced.)
216,	Helichrysum Blandowskianum, Steetz.
217,	Darwinia micropetala, Bentham.
218,	Helichrysum adenophorum, F.v.M.
219,	Patersonia longiscapa, Sweet, unless it is a dwarf plant
220,	Calocephalus Brownii, F.v.M
215,	Acacia1 This I cannot at once identify. Does the fruit really belong to the same species as the flowering specimen. Where were the seeds obtained? Perhaps this is a new species. It is however near A. melanoxylon
222,	Styphelia concurva, F.v.M.
223,	Apium prostratum, Labill
224,	Scaevola aemula, R.Brown
225,	Helichrysum retusum, FvM
226,	Acacia retinodes, Schlecht.
227,	Leptospermum lanigerum (var.)
228,	Acacia Oxycedrus Sieber

The Goodenia, dear Mr Gill, is a variety of G. ovata, described by R.Br.² as G. acuminata.

Just as in the human species so in those of plants, some forms may rise to an almost complete constancy at particular places, but that constancy will break down in other places. Such forms can never be regarded as true species. An enormous number of varieties have been erroneously described as species. The occurrence of fertile hybrids sometimes impair the specific discrimination To recognize a real species in its permanent value, it must be studied over wide areas. The variability of species is greater in our clime than in Britain. A variety can of course have a distinct name as such, but the appellation can never be specific in the true sense. It will require yet studies through long times to settle the exact limits of all species.

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller

My own field-studies have extended over 40 years in Europe, Australia and for a short time in S. America.

When I commenced to study plants I admitted far more species than later with longer experience and mor³ matured judgement⁴

IIxodia achilleoides

Acacia melanoxylon

Acacia Oxycedrus

Acacia retinodes

Apium prostratum

Calocephalus Brownii

Darwinia micropetala,.

Goodenia acuminata

Goodenia ovata

Helichrysum adenophorum,

Helichrysum Blandowskianum

Helichrysum Blandowskianum

Helichrysum retusum,

Leptospermum lanigerum

Patersonia longiscapa

Scaevola aemula

Styphelia concurva

Verbascum Creticum