From Thomas Stephens   13 May 1880

Campania¹

13th May 1880

My dear Baron

Though I returned to Tasmania on the 24th of last month I have been incessantly travelling on duty ever since, which must be my apology for not having answered your letter earlier,² or thanked you for the seeds enclosed.

My recollection of the group of Cyatheas which I visited some years ago near Circular Head³ is that the stem of the principal one was over 30 ft high, and very slender, tapering gradually from a diameter of not more than ten inches, or thereabouts, at 5 ft from the ground.

I believe that, comparing it with the Dicksonia, it might be correctly described as having "few short fronds on thin stalks", but I am not warranted in saying more about it from memory.

You are probably aware that Cyathea has not been found elsewhere in Tasmania. I have regarded its occurrence on the North Coast as attributable to the same cause that established a similar colony in the Cape Otway district, which is, unless I am mistaken, its only habitat in Victoria.

I suppose the specimens which I marked "Black Gum" are undoubtedly E. Stuartiana. I can find no excuse yet for the popular names of "Red Gum" or "Swamp Gum" but will continue my inquiries on the subject as opportunity offers. If you will, at your leisure, send me additional copies of your circular to collectors⁴ I shall be happy to distribute them.

very truly your's

T. Stephens

Cyathea

Dicksonia

Eucalyptus Stuartiana