From Ferdinand von Mueller to Benjamin Robinson   21 June 1895

21/6/95

Allow me, dear Prof. Robinson, to ask you for information regarding the systematic names of some N. American species of Fraxinus. C. Koch in his Dendrology¹ gives F. nigra of Marsh as the eldest name for F. sambucifolia; but Hooker & Jackson in the Kew Index admit a still older F. nigra, that of Bosc.² What is the latter? Unfortunately H. & J. left in most cases the year of publication out, so that any one, who has not a very large library of phytographic works is left often helpless. This and the not always strict adherence to priority lessens much the value of this otherwise so important work. Two Fraxinus viridis are also admitted, one from Bosc, the other from Michaux. How should these 2 stand?

Prof Asa Gray wrote once an article on the exact spelling of Gauthier's name.³ I mislaid the article. Could you kindly write the exact name down for me.

I am greatly beholden to you and Prof Goodale, for sending to the Smithsonian Institute such a valuable and extensive lot of dried plants.⁴ It may be some time, ere it arrives, but when it comes I will at once announce the receipt. It will be a gem in the Herbarium here. Pray remember me to the gemial⁵ Dr Goodale most kindly

Always regardfully your

Ferd von Mueller

Do you think that it would best⁶ to change the word ovary in phytography to ovulary? Ought the calyx-lobes of Orchideae be called still sepals? If so, we might as well call the lobes of the calyx (say) of a Lobelia also sepals. When a wrong expression has long been used, we are apt to continue it, remaining unconscious of the incorrectness.

Let me hope that the ferntrees have arrived uninjured.

Fraxinus nigra

Fraxinus sambucifolia

Fraxinus viridis

Lobelia

Orchideae