Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M62, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 82.10.24b

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Brabazon Stafford to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1882-10-24 [82.10.24b]. 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/1880-9/1882/82-10-24b-final.odt>, accessed June 10, 2026

1
MS found with a specimen of Eucalyptus howittiana (MEL 1610542), collected by Stafford on the dividing range between the Burdekin and Herbert Rivers, Qld, October 1882. MS annotation by M: 'Answ 10/11/82.' Letter not found.
H. M. P. Barracks
2
Her Majesty's Police Barracks.
Glendhur,
3
Glendhu? cf. B. Stafford to M, 26 February 1883 (in this edition as 83-02-26b), B. Stafford to M, 10 April 1883, and B. Stafford to M, 21 April 1883.
Cardwell
4
Qld.
24th October 1882
My dear Baron von Müller
I have much pleasure in enclosing some leaves and seed pods of what I think is the
Eucalyptus Cooperiana

Search for Eucalyptus Cooperiana in

Unfortunately the tree had already flowered when I discovered it; should it, however, prove to be the Eucalyptus you desire I will endeavour to procure you flowers of it.
The tree from which I took the enclosed leaves &c appears to be a species of "box" tree, but differs from the ordinary sort in having bark smooth like the smaller branches of the stringy bark tree instead of being corrugated like most box trees and it appears to grow only on barren ridges and the specimens I saw attained no great height (say 20 to 30 feet high).
I have failed to discover any specimens of it near Lake Lucy — the ones I enclose were found by me on the dividing range between the Burdekin and Herbert rivers
5
Qld.
You will find also a plant
6
MS annotation interlined by M: 'Erythr. Austr' (i.e., Erythraea australis).
(very badly preserved) of which I am anxious to get your opinion. Bushmen use it as a tonic and cure for diarrhoea, boiling it with water till reduced to about half the original quantity and then bottling the liquid and drinking it in wine glass doses. If you can make any thing out of the very imperfect specimen I send or think it may be of use from a botanical point of view, I shall be glad to send more of it.
I need not tell you that I have no knowledge of Botany and that while my will is of the best, my want of technical skill is likely to render my efforts of little avail.
With every consideration
Sincerely yours
Brab. R. Stafford
Baron von Müller
&c&c
Melbourne