MELU Loan Conditions

The University of Melbourne Herbarium

  1. A copy of these loan conditions must be given to the botanist using the loan.
  2. Loans are initially for 12 months. If necessary, an extension will be granted upon written application.
  3. The removal and dissection of specimen parts is not permitted without completing a destructive sampling request form and the signed consent of the MELU Curator. When approved this must done judiciously and only when sufficient material is present. Dissection of type material is not permitted.
  4. All material removed or dissected from specimens, and any loose fragments, should be placed in a suitable envelope or polyethylene bag and attached to the specimen sheet. Any slide preparations are to be sent to MELU when the loan is returned. No material may be removed and retained permanently without prior written approval.
  5. The botanist examining the specimens must annotate these with the name of the plant, the botanist's name, the date, and any relevant comments. Determinavit or confirmavit slips must be typed or written in permanent ink (not ball-point pen), and affixed to the specimen with an archival paperclip only. Slips for bryophyte or fungal specimens must be placed inside the specimen packet.
  6. Loans being returned should be registered, and packed carefully to minimise damage during transit. Whenever possible, the packing in which the specimens were received should be utilised.
  7. When returning specimens, to allow easy passage through Australian Quarantine, please ensure that the following are clearly visible on the outside of all parcels:
    • Copies of the loan/exchange documentation.
    • A completed biosecurity declaration form on institutional letterhead.
    • A list of all species names and acquisition numbers (if accessioned).
    • ATTENTION QUARANTINE label (printed on yellow paper).
    • CITES codes of both the sending and receiving institutions (MELU CITES code: AU043).
    • If specimens are known to be pathogenic or infected, a copy of MELU Import Permit or MELU Import Permit number (contact Curator for current permit details).
    • If appropriate, documentation detailing special treatments and/or preservation techniques that have been carried out on the specimens (e.g. heat, methyl bromide, etc.), and dates these were conducted.