Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 94.10.16b

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

William MacDonald to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1894-10-16 [94.10.16b]. 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/1890-6/1894/94-10-16b-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

1
MS found with a specimen of macleayana (MEL 226838).
Bellingen
2
NSW.
Oct 16th 1894
Dear Baron Von Mueller
I have managed to procure you a very small quantity of the Callitrus
3
.
gum resin, some of last years and some fresh which oozed out of a tree a few days after I had ringbarked it. This resin is not plentiful it appears to be produced only in small quantities. it contains turpentine (I think) The average diameter of this tree (matured) is about 2 ft and the height about 80 ft. the bark is about one inch & half thick The external layers very soft The timber makes excellent lining. ceiling, or flooring and for durability it appears to be quite equal to the Murray Pine. I also send you a small parcel of the ripe fruit if the resin I now send is not enough for a test I will endeavour to collect more next month and have arranged a tree for the purpose
Faithfully yours
W. MacDonald
I hope you have escaped the prevailing epidemic (influenza) I have so far escaped
WmMacD