[Baron Von Mueller remarked that the plant examined by him was the custata1 commonly called in Britain the "dodder." No poison cases from this sort of plant were on record from any part of the world, though it was possible that mischief might be done to stock should they be allowed to fend on land where the plant was of profuse growth. The custata, or "dodder," possesses the property of strangulating and killing other herbage. Eradication, by manuring the land and cultivating cereals or other grasses, was recommended. Baron Von Mueller's report concluded by remarking that possibly some real poison herb did exist in the locality, and requesting that flowering or fruiting specimens of any suspicious looking plant should be sent to him for examination.]2
Custata
Typesetter's error for Cuscuta?
The article was reprinted in Corryong courier, 16 January 1896, p. 5, and summarized in other newspapers, including Kyneton observer, 14 January, 1896, p. 2, and Daily telegraph (Launceston), 14 January 1896, p. 2.
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Supposed anthrax at Wodonga', Wodonga and Towong sentinel, 10 January 1896, p. 3. It is introduced by:
A carrier named Joseph Boon, from the Mitta Mitta district, has sustained a heavy loss during the past couple of weeks through the death of several working bullocks. The bullocks have been gracing in a paddock on the Wodonga Flats, and it was surmised had eaten a poisonous weed, causing death. The local stock inspector (Mr C. J. Mathieson) who made an examination of the dead animals was of opinion, however, from symptoms that were apparent, that the mortality was due to anthrax, or Cumberland disease. To decide the matter, he collected some of the blood contained in the spleen of the dead animals, and forwarded it, together with specimens of the supposed poison plant (and which was declared to have been the cause of the deaths), to the chief inspector of stock [George Pentland (1839-1901)], Melbourne, for analytical examination. Mr Mathieson on Wednesday received a reply from the head office, to the effect that the blood sent by him had been subjected to microscopic examination, and found to contain the bacilli of anthrax; ... The supposed poisonous herb had been submitted to Baron Von Mueller, a copy of whose report was appended.
The correspondent is given as George Pentland who would transmitted the request to M and would have received his report.
Please cite as “FVM-96-01-00h,” 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