Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 79.07.22

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

F. Kilner to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1879-07-22. 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/1870-9/1879/79-07-22-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Custom House
Rockhampton
1
Qld.
22nd July 1879
Dear Baron
I forward with this a parcel containing specimens of the flower and seed vessels of the
Eucalyptus citriodora

Search for Eucalyptus citriodora in

. At present none other of the Eucalypti are in flower.
The trees of the citriodora grow to the height of from 40 to 60 feet. It is a very valuable and durable hardwood used for studs &c in house building purposes. I had an old shed taken down on these premises 2 or 3 weeks ago the studs were citriodora and after standing 20 years the timber as good as when first put in. Fencers like it as it splits well, and Wheelwrights use it to make shafts for drays, as it is more pliable or " bendable " than other hardwoods having a long grain. It is also used for making dray wheels.
Please tell Mr Luehman that I can get him the seed at 4/ per lb in the pod. O'Shannessy
2
Patrick O'Shanesy
asked me 1/ per ounce for it in the pod the other day. He says it is a most difficult seed to procure.
I have to thank you for remitting the amount for the Alligator
3
See F. Kilner to M, 5 March 1879, and M to F. von Krauss, 28 April 1879.
I am sorry I could not get it freight free to London. I have also to thank you for the plates of the Eucalypti and for your valuable publication.
4
B79.13.11?
I should have written before but I have waited for the specimens I now send you to dry properly.
I cant get down to the Seacoast to get seaweeds — A few months ago I attempted to get to the Pilot Station, but I could not manage it. Miss Birrell
5
Miss L. Birrell?
seldom comes to Town. Her mother promised that she would call to see me next time she comes up. When she does I will try to induce her to collect Seaweeds for you.
I also send a copy of the Rockhampton Bulletin there is in it a long letter from O'Shannessy about the specimens of the native timbers which this District is sending to the Sydney exhibition,
6
International Exhibition, Sydney, 1879. The letter from O'Shanesy objected that a previous article confused him with his brother, did not give him credit for specimens sent to Sydney, and that
with regard to Mr. Thozet's catalogue, which appears to be your standard of botany as well as the extent of botanical knowledge, allow me to inform you in a friendly manner, Mr. Editor, that this catalogue is both incorrect and too antiquated for the present enlightened age
O'Shanesy's letter is in the successor to the Bockhampton Bulletin, the Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton), 22 July 1879, p. 3, and is followed by a comment from the Editor, ending 'But we are making too much of the matter, and it would perhaps have been a kindness to Mr. P. A. O'Shanesy, as well as to our readers, had we declined to publish his very angry effusion'.
OShannessy objects to some of the old names which poor Thozet gave to the Trees.
7
No catalogue of the timbers exhibited by Thozet has been found, but the Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia, Melbourne 1866-67 Official Record, p. 93, lists for the Queensland Court ‘One hundred specimens of Wood indigenous to Northern Queensland—collected arranged and described by O. Thozet’ [error for A. Thozet?]. His descriptions were probably used by M in preparing B67.13.05, which includes information supplied by Thozet.
I dare say on the whole he is right I think however he might have put it in different language.
I shall endeavor to get other specimens of the Eucalypti when in flower and send them to you
I remain Dear Baron
Yours truly
F. Kilner