Document information
Physical location:
RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 86.09.25aPreferred Citation:
Thomas B. Moore to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1886-09-25 [86.09.25a]. 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/1880-9/1886/86-09-25a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
1
MS found with a specimen of Eucalyptus muelleri T.B.Moore (= Euc. johnstonii) (MEL 1610541). MS letterhead is a decorated 'P'. MS annotation by M: 'Answ 10/10/86';
letter not found.
2
Tas.
25th Sept 1886.
Sir
During some Government Exploring work through the country situated between the Townships
of New Norfolk and Victoria on the Huon River, I discovered an Eucalyptus quite unknown
to me, and cannot determine it otherwise than a species new to the Island.
I forward per post leaves and fruit to ask for your scientific determination and sincerely
hope I am not troubling you with something before known to the botany of Tasmania.
The tree was first met with on a saddle of the Mt Wellington Range, due north & south
from the two townships, growing at an altitude of about 2000 feet above sea level;
here it attained a height of 100 feet with a diameter of two feet, but on decending
to a lower level the growth was more luxuriant, many of the trees measuring four feet
six inches to five feet through, and towering above the ground two hundred feet in
height, some with straight stems one hundred feet without a limb.
The bark is smooth & is of a red or chocolate color, but where lately shed is mottled
with yellow streaks or blotches.
The wood is extremely hard close grained, tough in fibre and of a light, red color;
it is exceedingly heavy, and will I think equal in durability our famous blue gum.
It is surprising to me that its habitat being in the heart of civilized parts, that
it is quite unknown to any of the saw mill proprieters or residents of the above named
districts.
It is my intention to write a short paper on the discovery for our Royal Society,
but first solicit your kindly aid as to whether the species belongs to any of the
colonies, and as to the proper name it should bear if your investigations prove it
new to the Flora of Australia.
3
T. B. Moore (1887).
I had a conversation with Mr Surveyor Brown prior to his departure for Barren Island
where he is at present exploring,
relative to the want of knowledge of the Flora of that part, expressed in your kind
favor of last June
and he promised for the sake of science to use his observation and obtain specimens
of the different plants unknown to him.
4
Presumably Cape Barren Island, in the Furneaux group, Bass Strait, Tas, see J. W.
Brown (1887), which is a report on the survey of Flinders Island, the largest island
in the group, made in 1886.
5
See M to T. Moore, 16 June 1886.
Accept my kindest regards
And believe me to be
Ever yours faithfully
T B Moore
Baron Ferd. Von Mueller KCMG.
Melbourne
Victoria