Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M11, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 89.01.26Preferred Citation:
Alfred Howitt to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1889-01-26. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/89-01-26>, accessed May 9, 2025
1
MS found with a specimen of Eucalyptus muelleriana (MEL 1611949).
2
All places named are in Gippsland, Vic.
Jany 26/89
Dear Baron
I send you by this post some fresh samples of the "Stringybark" Eucalypt of which
I spoke to you the other day. You will from them be able to see I hope how the foliage
looks in a fresh condition. A marked characteristic of the Saplings say up to 10 ft
in height is the tendency of the leaves to assume a more or less horizontal position
in which the rather dull colored leaves shew a shining upper [page]. The height of
all the trees I observed this trip was under 150 ft and I would therefore desire to
correct my previous estimate of 170 ft.
I saw Mr James M'Alpine of Tarraville who has lived since a boy in South Gippsland.
He told me that there are several fences near Woranga
which to his knowledge have been erected between 30 and 40 years and of which the
posts were split from this Eucalypt. He is a trustworthy informant. I am now making
further enquiries as to the durability of the timber.
3
Locality near Tarraville and Yarram?
The samples now sent are from Darraman about 25 miles from Sale on the Port Albert
Road.
4
Now also spelled Darriman.
This Eucalypt is now just coming out into bloom and the panniculate arrangement of
the umbels is very marked.
Yours faithfully
A. W. Howitt
Baron Ferd v Mueller KCMG
&c &c
Melbourne