Document information

Physical location:

GRG 16/3/1 Conservator of Forests letter press copy book, pp. 26-7, Woods and Forests Department, State Records, Adelaide. 78.12.23

Preferred Citation:

J. Ednie Brown to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1878-12-23. 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//letters/1870-9/1878/78-12-23-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Forest Board Office,
Adelaide, 23/12/78.
Baron Von Muller MD
Sir,
Enclosed I beg to hand you letter of introduction to yourself which I received some days ago from Mr Goyder, Surveyor General.
1
Letter not found.
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 18th inst
2
Letter not found.
— for which please accept of my best thanks.
When up country some time ago, I came across the tree which you describe as "E. leucoxylon," and as I am new as yet to the Australian Flora and did not know this one, I sent you a branchlet intending to write you on the subject immediately on my return to town. I returned two days ago and was [going to …]
3
illegible word or words — text faded.
with you when your letter arrived.
As I have said, the Australian Flora is new to me as yet, and as I find great difficulty in getting reliable information on the subject of the proper Botanical names of our indigenous trees, I thought the better plan would be to refer specimens of those kinds which I did not know, to an authority in such matters in order that I might obtain their proper classification — hence Mr Goyder's letter of introduction. If, therefore, I do not intrude too much upon your valuable time, I should like to send you specimens for this purpose from time to time as I find them in flower.
By today's post, I have taken the liberty to send you four specimens, about the names of the trees of which there is considerable doubt here. These are:
no.
1.
Apparently a variety of E. rostrata
"
2 —
A fine tree resembling —do—
"
3 —
Called "Sugar Gum" by colonists — not described by Bentham
"
4 —
A tree with [fine] foliage — not in flower yet.
When convenient to yourself, I should like to hear from you giving the Botanical names of these species of Eucalyptus and stating where I could find their specific character .
Apologising for the trouble I am giving you
I am
Sir
Your obt st.
4
obedient servant.
J. E. Brown
Eucalyptus leucoxylon
Eucalyptus rostrata