The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Moona Plains ¶ Walcha. ¶ Baron F von Mueller, K.CMG, &c, &c, ¶ Dear Sir, ¶ ¶ By last mail I received. your Select Plants, and Key to the System of Victorian Plants, they came from the Public Library ...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M60, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 89.01.00e

Plant names

Eucalyptus globulus
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Tristanea conferta
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- Australian Plant Name Index

Preferred Citation:

Alexander Crawford to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1889-01 [89.01.00e]. 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/1880-9/1889/89-01-00e-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

MS found with a specimen of Eucalyptus viminalis (MEL 1615424), dated 1889.

The letter is dated to January 1889 as the earliest possible date that Crawford could have received the two volumes cited (B88.12.01 and B88.11.02 respectively). In an annotation dated 15 January 1889 on T. Bride to M, 14 January 1889, the librarian noted that copies for distribution had not yet been supplied by the Government Printer, but M to T. Bride, 14 February 1889, implies that they had been, or were being, distributed by then.

Moona Plains

Walcha.

NSW.

Baron F von Mueller, K.CMG, &c, &c,

Dear Sir,

By last mail I received. your Select Plants, and Key to the System of Victorian Plants, they came from the Public Library Melbourne.

At this period, M's publications were distributed through the Library.

I have to return you my best thanks for the gift, and shall value them very highly as coming from you. — Select Plants is splendid work, I have had one now for some time (seventh edition)

The edition number appears to be a mistake: the edition published in 1888 and distributed by the Library in 1889 is described on its title page as 'Seventh edition, revised and enlarged'. In M to A. Crawford, 7 July 1888 (in this edition as 88-07-07a), he had promised to send the volume when it appeared. The preceding edition was the 'New Victorian edition', B85.12.03. To have had it for 'some time' suggests that Crawford had the NSW edition, B81.01.04.

which I shall present to the Walcha School of Arts, and keep that you sent me. — It was indeed very kind of you to remember me amidst the hurry of your own business, how you get through it is wonderful — you must work both day and night.

I expect to start for the Macleay

Macleay River, NSW.

in about a week, and shall keep a good look out for any thing likely to interest you, large trees, &c. last November I was down there, I measured a fallen 180 feet, I will send you full particulars of anything noteworthy, and nothing but what I am sure of.

I will try to find out about a Eucalypt cut down some years ago, 17 feet in diameter the only matter there can be any doubt about is the species, it is certain about the measurement —

Before starting I think of writing to the Minister for Mines and suggesting that a reserve be made of that piece of country where the Euc globulus occurs, although it will never be of value for timber purposes in such an out of the way locality, it would be a pity that the species should be exterminated under a "Permission to Ringbark"

See M to A. Crawford, September 1887 (in this edition as 87-09-00d).

I am afraid that I must trouble you with a couple of specimens of plants, the Eucalypt grows to a large size, but I have never known it utilized for any purpose, on the table land it grows on every kind of ground, but does not occur on the East Slopes. —

The other specimen is said to be a Sumach, (introduced) I should like to know if it is one of those mentioned in "Select Plants"?

The vernacular name index to B76.12.04 and all subsequent editions listed both 'Sumach' and 'Sumach staghorn'; in the text, Rhus coriaria is described as 'Tanner's Sumach. … the Sumach of commerce', and Rhus typhina is 'The staghorn -Sumach', while some other Rhus species were also described as a 'Sumach'.

it bears a good deal of frost, flower profusely but seldom fruits, but throws up suckers in abundance. —

I have the honour to be

Baron

Your most obedient

A R Crawford

P S If at any time I can assist you kindly let me know

A R C

I had omited mentioning that the foliage of the Eucalypt abounds in oil, a few leaves rubbed in the hands make them quite damp and oily, the leaves adhering firmly to the fingers —