Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS found with a specimen of Dammara palmerstonii (MEL 1582088), collected by Christie Palmerston, Mount Bartle Frere, Qld, 1888. MS annotation by M: 'Answ 28.5.89 FvM'. Letter not found.

Police Station

Geraldton.

2

Now Innisfail, Qld.

Johnstone River

17th May 1889

Sir

In reply to your letter of 22/3/89

3

Letter not found.

inquiring if I could procure for you the flowers and fruit Cone of the Small leaf Kauri pine, I have the honour to inform you that I have made inquiries and I have been unable to find any one at present in this District that can give me any information as to the pine you mention. I have seen Christy Palmerston the explorer in Townsville lately and he informed me that he found the pine the leaves of which he forwarded to you on the table land between this place and Herberton.

4

Christy Palmerston 'during a recent expedition to the tablelands at the head of the south branch of the Johnstown River, came across beautiful specimens of kauri pine differing in certain respects from the common species of that noble tree. He forwarded samples of the leaves and wood … to Baron von Mueller, who pronounces it a species hitherto entirely unknow to science. Out of compliment to its discoverer, the new species was named "Dammura ( sic ) Palmerstoni"' ( North Australian and Northern Territory Government gazette , 31 August 1889, p. 3). M named the species Dammara palmerstoni in B91.07.02, pp. 45-6, noting 'F. v. M., "Fourth Suppl. to the Syst, Census of Austral. Plants" 4 (1889), Agathis Palmerstoni, F. v. M. collect.' In B89.13.13, p. 4, it is listed as Dammara Palmerstoni , F.v M, inedit.

That is a long distance from here and impossible to get there at present as the country is dense jungle and no tracks through it at present I do not think there has been any white person through there since Palmerston was there two or three years ago. Palmerston also informed me that he does not know what time of the year the tree is in flower or bear fruit.

Therefore return the leaves to you again. I have kept the seeds which you kindly sent me for which I thank you. Should I hear of any person coming across any of the pine in future I shall be most happy to forward to you the samples you require.

Baron F. von Mueller, Esq

Government Botanist

Melbourne

Victoria