From Ferdinand von Mueller to Otto Tepper   25 Nov 1893

25/11/93.

Es wird am Besten sein, lieber Herr Tepper, nach dem Lapsus des Caprificat. Committees nichts weiter zu thun innerhalb der austral Assoc. bis solche in Brisbane 1895 resuscitirt ist, wenn dies überhaupt geschehen sollte. Ich schreibe nun einen Brief an Dr Browne, den Sie wohl gütig selbst überbringen werden; ich lasse ihn offen, damit Sie denselben lesen können. Ich bin vollständig über die Sache unterrichtet, u habe mich auf darüber in Christchurch u Hobart ausgesprochen. Vide: Tasmania Volume Austr Assoc. Was sind die Familien-Verhältnisse von Dr Browne. Es ist wohl der Bruder des Begleiters von Sturt. Geben Sie ihm das Programme des Jubiläum Concerts, wenn Sie dies passend finden. Orthoceras strictum variert grün u dunkel bräunlich. Gerade so ist es mit Chiloglottis Gunnii u mehr wie einer Prasophyllum Art.

Sie ehrend

Ferd. von Mueller.

25/11/93.

It will be best, dear Mr Tepper, after the lapse of the Caprification Committee to do nothing further within the Australasian Association until it is resuscitated in Brisbane in 1895, if this should happen at all.1 I am now writing a letter to Dr Browne that you yourself will kindly deliver; I leave it open so that you can read it.2 I am completely informed about the matter and have expressed myself about it in Christchurch and Hobart. See Tasmania Volume Australasian Association.3 What are the family circumstances of Dr Browne. He is probably the brother of Sturt's companion.4 Give him the program of the Jubilee Concert,5 if you find it convenient. Orthoceras strictum varies green and dark brownish. Just as it is with Chiloglottis gunnii and more like a Prasophyllum species.

Respectfully

Ferd. von Mueller.

Chiloglottis gunnii

Orthoceras strictum

Prasophyllum

A committee to investigate the fertilization of the fig was established at the second Congress of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, held in Melbourne in 1890. It was renewed at the following Congress in Christchurch in 1891 but was not renewed a second time at the 1892 Congress in Hobart. Nor was it 'resuscitated' at the Brisbane Congress in 1895. M had previously been unaware that the committee had lapsed; see M to O. Tepper, 7 October 1893, and M to O. Tepper, 12 November 1893.

Letter not found.

B93.14.01.

See M to O. Tepper, 7 October 1893. M is mistaken. John Harris Browne, who was actively involved in fig-growing and investigating caprification, had accompanied Sturt; see notes to M to O. Tepper, 7 October 1893.

The fourth centenary of Columbus's discovery of America was marked by a jubilee evening at the Melbourne Town Hall on 12 October 1892 at which M delivered the principal address, the Amateur Orchestral Society of Victoria played an introductory selection, and, at the conclusion, the Melbourne Liedertafel gave selections from Gadsby's cantata, Columbus; see B93.03.02.

MS annotation by Tepper: 'Reply 7.12.93'. Letter not found.

Please cite as “FVM-93-11-25a,” 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 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/93-11-25a