Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M16, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 79.06.21

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Patrick O'Shanesy to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1879-06-21. 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/1870-9/1879/79-06-21-final.odt>, accessed June 9, 2026

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MS found with a specimen of Eucalyptus crebra (MEL 1606653 & 1606652). MS annotation by M: 'Answ 9/7/79'. Letter not found.
Cometville
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Qld.
June 21 1879
Dear Baron Von Mueller
I have much pleasure in forwarding you another small Collection which I hope will be interesting to you.
I have not as yet had time to examine the principal ranges in this neighbourhood, where I am certain many rare plants must exist.
It is evidently very difficult to fix the specific limits of the Eucalypts, altho a most natural family, because some of them assume so many different forms that they are apt to be mistaken for seperate species, unless they can be seen and examined in a living state. I enclose in the packet, samples of two species which, to take the shape of the leaves and the character of the bark as criterions, might be considered as distinct species, but which, nevertheless, I consider as forms of E. melanophloia and E. polyanthemos . But then the question arises if difference of form and character constitute a seperate species have not these supposed forms or varieties as good a right to be considered species as those of which they are only supposed to be varieties or forms
The name of 'Brigalow' is exclusively applied to Acacia harpophylla ; but it is most difficult to believe that the trees which are known by this name can (from their wide range of soil and situation) be considered as belonging to the same species, athough they apparently are so. This tree is found on the open basaltic downs as well as on poor clay ridges and climbing some hundreds of feet up the steep sides of our mountain ranges — facts which cause me almost to conclud that there must be more than one species included under this name.
The price offered here (in Rockhampton) for the fibre of
Lysicarpus

Search for Lysicarpus in

is three pence per pound — a price that would not pay for collecting and preparing it.
Yours faithfully
P. A. O'Shanesy
Is it your intention to continue the Eucalyptus Atlas?
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B79.13.11 &c.