Loan Conditions

Conditions governing the loan of botanical specimens from MELU

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 dissectionof specimen parts is not permitted without consent of the MELU Collections Manager. 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 sheet by one edge only, not covering any writing or material on the sheet.  Slips for bryophyte or fungal specimens must be placed inside the specimen packet.
6. Loans being returned should be insured or 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 (AQIS), please ensure that the following is clearly visible on the outside of all parcels:
   • CITES codes of both the sending and receiving institutions (MELU CITES code: AU043),
   • if specimens are fungi, cryptogams or not fully prepared vascular plants, a copy of MELU Import Permit or MELU Import Permit number (IP07024198),
   • copies of the loan/exchange documentation and a list of all species names and acquisition numbers (if accessioned),
   • ATTENTION QUARANTINE sticker, and
   • if appropriate, documentation detailing special treatments and/or preservation techniques that have been carried out on the specimens (eg heat, methyl bromide, etc), and dates these were conducted.