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From Ferdinand von Mueller to Walter Campbell   16 Feb 1896

16/2/96.

Without wishing to be intrusive, dear Mr. Campbell, I like to mention that I am reminded of my promise to send to Europe fruits (not very many) of Atkinsonia ligustrina for anatomic further studies by a monographist of Loranthaceæ.1 As this is the season when they ripen again I would be so very much beholden to you, if the time is not missed, to obtain these fruits. Mr. Moore, through Mr. Betche, obliged me already to obtain roots in alcohol, and as I do not like to trouble him again, especially at his very advanced age, and fluctuating health,2 so I can't think of anyone else but yourself to fly to in this case. I fancy some people at the top hotel on the Blue Mountains must know where the Atkinsonia grows, and a dried specimen of the plant might be sent to them for finding the living bushes. Therefore, perhaps a single letter would bring us this requisite as a result, and I would willingly refund the remuneration to the gatherer.

With regardful remembrance.

Yours, etc.,

(Sgd.) FERD. VON MUELLER.

Do you like to join the great Royal Horticultural Soc. of England? I will gladly be your sponsor.

Atkinsonia ligustrina

Loranthaceae

1

Not identified.

2

Charles Moore, Director of the Sydney botanic garden, was aged 75 at this time. He retired from his position in May 1896.

3

Letter not found. For the text given here, see W. Campbell (1935), p. 82. Campbell states that this is the last autograph letter he received from M.

Please cite as “FVM-96-02-16,” 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/96-02-16