Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The same item appeared in several papers. The text given here is from 'Notes and queries, The largest kind of tree of Australia', Australasian, 22 July 1865, p. 9 (B65.07.09). It is introduced by 'Dr. Mueller has favoured us with the following memorandum:-'.

Mr. Pemberton Walcott writes from the Warren River, of West Australia, that the Karri Gum-tree (

Eucalyptus diversicolor

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) attains at that spot stupendous dimensions. By actual measurement, he ascertained the diameter of one of these giants to be 22ft. at the base, and 15½ ft. at the height of 8ft. above the ground. A young tree, which fell after burning of its base, measured from the ground to the first limb 225ft., with a diameter of only 6ft. at the base, and 4ft. beneath the first branch. Adding 120ft. as the height from the first limb to the summit, this individual tree was found to measure 345ft. But this is one of the highest trees of this species.

In another instance a party of three riders, without dismounting, moved their horses, and also four packhorses, simultaneously into a hollow tree of the Karri.

2

Following the reprint of this item in The Perth gazette and West Australian times, 23 February 1866, p. [3], Pemberton Walcott wrote to the Editor pointing out that the claim about seven horses being in the hollow was a mistake: '3 gentlemen and one pack-horse did so' (Perth gazette and West Australian times, 30 March 1866, p. 3).

It is the intention of Dr. Mueller to distribute at a future period seeds of this colossal and naturally local tree as widely as the climatic conditions necessary for its growth will permit.

Perhaps the Karri Eucalyptus, combats solely with the huge Californian

Wellingtonia

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for predominance in rank of height among all the trees of the globe. But it would be desirable that actual measurements, such as were instituted in Tasmania by Sir William Denison, should be made also of all the most colossal trees in different parts of the globe.