Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M10, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 78.12.28b

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Walter Hill to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1878-12-28 [78.12.28b]. 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/1870-9/1878/78-12-28b-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Botanic Gardens
Brisbane 28 December 1878
Dear Baron
I send you under cover 1 Specimen of with out flowers or fruit also by the same post tinbox
1
tinbox interlined.
Seed Vessel seeds and Bark of the above. I am not aware that the tree has ever been brought under your notice? it is some year since that I gathered one or two of the seeds Capsules and the branches without flow[ers.] I give you my memorandum that I made during that time.—
The tree grows to the height of 50 to 70 feet, 18 to 24 inches in diameter, 12 to 16 feet up the barrel or stem the outer bark is much like the [tea] tree (a piece enclosed in box) often it is smooth like the White Gum. The [aroma] from the leaves is very strong and I believe an oil of excellent quality can be made from them. The timber from its hardness &c must be durable &c
I hope you will name this tree after its discoverer &c
2
M never published the name Eucalyptus hilli; the species with this name described by Maiden (1919), p. 63, was collected by Gerald F. Hill.
I am
Yours truly
Walter Hill