The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne, ¶ 29/3/89 ¶ R. Watson Esqr, ¶ Engineer in Chief of Victorian Railways. ¶ ¶ The sprig, which accompanies the piece of Eucalyptus-wood, just sent by you, dear Mr Watson, ¶ is ¶ devoid of f...

Document information

Physical location:

No 89/3591, unit 102, VPRS 425, inward registered correspondence, Engineer in Chief, VA 2876, Department of Railways, Public Record Office, Victoria. 89.03.29

Plant names

Eucalyptus
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Robert Watson, 1889-03-29. 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/89-03-29>, accessed September 11, 2025

Melbourne,

29/3/89

R. Watson Esqr,

Engineer in Chief of Victorian Railways.

The sprig, which accompanies the piece of -wood, just sent by you, dear Mr Watson,

See R. Watson to M, 28 March 1889.

is devoid of flowers and fruits , not even so much interest being taken by the sender, to forward a branchlet with flowerbuds. Some difficulty exists in identifying wood with specific accuracy even under the microscope; it would therefore be more satisfactory, if branchlets with fruits , which can always be obtained , and if possible also with flowers (if even only in bud) be forwarded. It should be fairly considered, that over 100 different kinds of Eucalypts exist, nearly half of them native trees of Victoria. Therefore everything should be done, to procure proper material , to make my professional identification free from the possibility of error and free from complaint perhaps even after years.

and free from complaint perhaps even after years inserted as a marginal note with its position marked by an asterisk.

With this view I would suggest, if you will allow me to do so, that a circular letter be sent to your inspecting officers in the various district, insisting on the sending of proper material for determining the names of the Eucalypts, the timber of which at any time and at any place may be sought for railway-purposes. It would be well to point out simultaneously, that even this is not enough, but that the inspecting officers be enjoined, to see after approval of the sample only such species of are felled, as exactly belong to the species, from which the sample was taken, as otherwise through similarity yet not equality of the species, inferior timber might be used along with that approved. The inspecting officers could with the greatest ease effect the needful control by being for the time provided with the "Eucalyptography".

B79.13.11 and subsequent parts.

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller.

MS annotations: 'Sample sent by Mr Gourlay on behalf of Mr O'Keefe Whitelaw Track to Toora line'; 'Mr Gourlay please note the contents of this letter for future guidance in forwarding samples, & return corrce. to me — P.Jones. 11/9/89'; and 'Noted that sample of foliage & berries was sent together with sample of timber in each case. F. Gourlay 24/4/89'.