Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

29 Jan. 1883.

T. R. Wilson Esqr,

Undersecretary.

Sir.

I have the honor to inform you, that of the three kinds of Eucalyptus-seeds, desired by the Agent General, two can at once be supplied, namely those of E. Globulus and E. obliqua, whereas those of E. platyphylla would have to be specially collected in Queensland. But as the last mentioned species is of less importance in reference to timber and in a sanitary point of view, than many other kinds of Eucalypts, I have substituted for them those of E. rostrata as one of the very best for timber and for tropical climes, it carrying moreover with it the recommendation of resisting better any cyclones than most congeners. To simplify matters I have at once now forwarded these three kind of seeds, but have added two more for the sake of experiment in St Croix, namely those of E. siderophloia and of E resinifera, as both these sorts proved so exquisitely adapted to the warmer regions of India and both are timbertrees of leading value. The monetary value of this whole small sending is so little, as to render it undesirable to present an account to the Danish Government, though larger sendings, such as repeatedly the Governments of India, of France of Spain and some other countries did order, could not well be supplied except under mercantile arrangements.

May I still advise, that through Mr Murray Smith the eight decades of the Eucalyptography be sent to the Danish Government, as in that work a full account is given of the respective value of the different and numerous Eucalypts, so that full information on the best choice may be made for the Danish Islands of West India.

1

The Chief Secretary's Office sent a letter to the Agent General on 31 January 1883, and also a copy of Eucalyptographia. Denmark sold its West Indian territories to the USA in 1917.