Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M59, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 79.10.28
Plant names
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Eucalyptus Behriana
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Eucalyptus Behriana
in -
Eucalyptus hemiphloia
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Eucalyptus hemiphloia
in
Preferred Citation:
J. Ednie Brown to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1879-10-28. 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/1870-9/1879/79-10-28-final.odt>, accessed June 5, 2026
1
MS found with a specimen of Eucalyptus microcarpa (MEL 1611951). For a copy of this letter see GRG 16/3/1 Conservator of Forests letter
press copy book, no. 200/79, Woods and Forests Department, State Records of SA, Adelaide.
Adelaide. 28/10/79.
My dear Sir,
As I informed you the other day I am making full inquiries regarding
E. Behriana
and
E. hemiphloia
for your information. I am having specimens sent from different parts of the Colony,
and these I shall send you as I receive them, at same time giving descriptions of
the trees from which taken &c. &c. so that you may decide as to whether or not the
trees named above are the same species.
I have not quite satisfied myself yet on the matter, but I am inclined to think that
you are right in supposing that
E.B.
and
E.H.
are one and the same tree — the difference in foliage and size being accounted for
by difference in the natural features of the localities in which they are found growing.
In this I may be wrong but proper examination will decide.
Enclosed I send you the first specimen relating to the matter in hand. This came from
Spencer's Gulf (head of). The specimen is I fear, not of a character to be of much
use to you to enable you to distinguish the species (I am trying to get a better developed
specimen which will be sent you when procured) The tree from which this was taken
resembles your E. Behriana (as I see described in Bentham's "Flora").
The tree in question is found on warm rather heavy soils with a clay subsoil. In
height it may be seen about from 60 ft and 1½ to 2½ ft in diameter. The timber is
durable, very hard and of a yellowish-blue color. The bark on the branches and young
wood is smooth and clean, but on the trunk it is of a dark "stringy" nature. The enclosed
specimen of bark is from a young vigorous growing tree of the kind.
2
Bentham (1863-78), vol. 3, p. 214.
Should you refer to this letter in writing to me please do so by referring to the
number on front page, and oblige
Yours very truly
J. E. Brown
Baron F. Von Mueller K.C.M.G.
Government Botanist
Melbourne