Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS found with specimen of

Eucalyptus

Search for Eucalyptus in

• This website
• VicFlora
• Australian Plant Name Index

siderophloia (MEL 231658). MS annotation by M: 'Answ | 21/8/85 | F.v.M.' Letter not found.

West Kempsey

2

NSW.

14th August 1885

My dear Baron

I am sending you the leaves, and seed vessels, of one of our Eucalypts found growing on the Coast here of which I shall be glad of your opinion; also the branch of a brush tree found also, near the Coast, which I have had tested by several engravers who speak very favourably of it; this tree is generally of irregular growth, and attains occasionally up to two feet in diameter, the wood is remarkably denser, hard, and heavy and is, I have no doubt, of very considerable value for engraving purposes, will you kindly tell me what it is?

3

MS marginal annotation by M: 'Olea paniculata', presumably the undated specimen at MEL 2273480, collected by Rudder from Kempsey. Rudder sent specimens of other species he thought suitable for wood-engraving, see A. Rudder to M, 1 November 1885 and M to T. Meehan, 22 February 1886.

— The bark of this tree is of a greenish grey, rather smooth, and the heart wood, is rather dark, with figure — When dry this timber is so hard as to turn the edge of an American Axe.

I am very sorry to learn that my Nephew in the far North West

4

Not identified.

has not send you any specimens of plants as requested by me, it is possible that my letter may have miscarried, and I have written to him again, and I hope that success may this time be the result —

Sincerely hoping this may find you quite well

N.B. Please address

Snails Bay

Balmain

Sydney

P.S. I forgot to mention that the bark of the Eucalypt is persistent, and stringy, like stringy bark, excepting on the upper branches where it is smooth and deciduous — The wood is close grained and of a brown colour