Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS not found. For the text given here, see 'Notes and queries: the trees of Australia', Australasian, 3 March 1866, p. 8 (B66.03.01). It is introduced by 'Dr. Mueller has forwarded to us the following memorandum:'. The item also appeared in newspapers in Tasmania and Queensland.

Dr. Mueller intends to enumerate as one item of interest in an essay he is preparing on the vegetation of Australia, all the trees hitherto known. This list will be so tabulated that at a glance it may be seen to what colonial territory each kind of tree belongs. Trees constitute a main source of wealth in every country, and impress on each largely, the peculiarity of their physiognomy. Hence such a list cannot fail to be of universal interest, especially if the means

2

names?

bestowed by the settlers on the trees are given along with their appellations. The essay, which will embrace this table of trees of every kind, is to form one of the papers to be connected with the publications emanating from the Intercolonial Exhibition Commission, and is to be issued before August next.

3

See 'The trees of Australia, phytologically named and arranged, with indications of their territorial distribution' in B67.13.02, pp 20–38 (i.e. pp 268-286 of the complete Official Record).

The enumeration could undoubtedly be amplified, if colonists of scientific inclination would secure flowering and fruiting branchlets of any not common trees of their neighbourhood (not excluding the eucalypti), and forward them, together with brief notes on the locality, height, colour of bark, &c. to Dr. Mueller, within the next two or three months. If the specimens were kept within small dimensions, and closely packed, they might be sent by post. In all instances where it is possible, both flowers and fruits of the trees should be secured.