Ferdinand von Mueller

3/5/89.

Rob. Watson Esqr,

Chief Engineer of Railways &c &c.

The samples, just sent by you, dear Mr Watson,

1

See R. Watson to M, 3 May 1889 (in this edition as 89-05-03c).

are so far as the branchlets are concerned, not satisfactory for specific determination of the particular Eucalyptus; buds, expanded flowers and ripe fruits are wanting, which the particular Officer of your Department, stationed at Myrtleford or at Bright,

2

Vic.

might at least to some extent readily secure. The specimens are named Apple-Gumtree, but they seem to belong to a better species, namely E. goniocalyx, not to E Stuartiana. If ripe fruit, which can always be obtained and buds of flowers were secured, I should be able to pronounce with certainty about this species.

3

See M to R. Watson, 20 May 1889 (in this edition as 89-05-20c).

The sample of timber seems however to be of fair quality.

May I ask, when likely the railway-line from Myrtle-Ford to Bright will be completed. My reason for enquiring is, that as President for the Melbourne meeting (January 1890) of the Austral Associat. for the advancement of science I am eager to learn, whether by that time the large number of assembled members could be taken by rail to Bright on an excursion-trip, thence to ascend the real Alps.

4

See R. Watson to M, 4 May 1889 (in this edition as 89-05-04a).