Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M46, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 81.08.27a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

William Woolls to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1881-08-27 [81.08.27a]. 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/1880-9/1881/81-08-27a-final.odt>, accessed May 7, 2026

1
MS found with a specimen of
Acacia dealbata

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(MEL 2074118).
Richmond N.S.W.
Aug[u]st
2
editorial addition.
27/ 81
My dear Baron,
I am obliged for your letter of the 23rd. Inst.
3
Letter not found.
I have no means of getting Seeds of
Bauera capitata

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, but should I have an opportunity, I will not forget you.
I believe Mr Moore is right about the
Zamia

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. There appear to be two distinct forms near Sydney, the one is smaller & more curly in the leaves than the other.
I forwarded your letter to Miss Scott. She is, I am sure, delighted. Her Christian name is Harriet.
In the "Town and Country" of Saturday last, there was an article on
Callicoma serratifolia

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with a figure.
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Australian town and country journal (Sydney), 20 August 1881, p. 20, in which the anonymous author protests about the 'misapplication' of common names by the 'Victorians', and berates the NSW government for becoming a 'party to the wrong' by publishing M's B81.01.04. In a later article, Australian town and country journal (Sydney), 17 September 1881, pp. 20-21, the writer carries the attack further. He argues that the text retains the 'wrong' common name for
Acacia decurrens

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, 'thereby practically using the New South Wales government support against the interests and honour of New South Wales'. He argues that other similar 'errors' suggest that 'these faults were studied and intentional', being written by someone 'whose direct duty it was, is, and must be to snub both New South Wales and her sons, more especially such of the latter as may have any reputation that might be thought to come into competition with that of Victorians'.
The writer (Shepherd?) attacked the Melbourne authorities for applying the term "wattle" exclusively to A.
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Acacia, here and below.
decurrens. In the early days of the colony C. serratifolia was called the Black Wattle, but the workmen now universally call the two varieties of A. decurrens "Black" & "Green" Wattle. The attack is ridiculous. Near Sydney & Parramatta, "the Black Wattle" is the most common, but near Richmond "the Green Wattle". The former flowers in August, & the latter in December. The Black Wattle has flowers rather larger, of a bright yellow colour, & the bark is darker & more perforated by grubs. I enclose you a few pods of our Green Wattle. I find that the
Trigonella

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which you recommend for cultivation, has come up accidentally at the Kurrajong. At least, if I have not made a mistake
When I receive the last part of the Fragmenta, I will send a paragraph about it to the S. M. Herald, & also a review to the S. Mail.
I am still giving papers on the Flora of N. S. Wales for the Linnean of Sydney. I hope some day or other to make a complete list arranged according to your System
A. elongata is now in flower near us, but the plant is rare. A. dealbata is in flower over the Range
Yours very Sincerely
W. Woolls