27/7/81
This is not one of the largest's of the Euc. amygdalina, dear Sir Joseph, but it gives a good idea of the colossal stems which this species not rarely forms in our deepest forest-glens. The photogram1 may serve Miss North2 for an other of her splendid oil-paintings.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller.
Compare the measurements given under E. amygd. in the Eucalyptography3
Eucalyptus amygdalina
B80.13.14, Decade 5.
A press cutting from an unknown source is attached to the MS: 'CAIRE'S VIEWS OF VICTORIA. | The Largest Tree in Victoria. | This monster tree is known as "Big-Ben," and is the oldest specimen of its kind. Its age is calculated from its growth which is one-sixteenth of an inch every year. Its height is over 400 feet. The circumference is 56 feet. The result of this will show that in the year One A. D. this venerable tree was then a mere sapling. Big Ben has stood whilst Nations have been swept away, and is likely still to stand, if the woodmen will but spare that tree. | N. J. Caire, Photo., 57 Bourke St., Melbourne.'
A label attached to the MS identifies the tree 'Big Ben' as Eucalyptus amygdalina,height 400 feet, circumference 56 feet.
A copy of the image is held in the State Library of Victoria (Caire, N. J., Image No. b20267) which identifies the location as 'Black Spur' (near Narbethong, Vic).
'Big Ben' was 'burnt a few seasons since in one of the destructive bush fires which raged in the Dividing Ranges' (Caire (1908)).
Please cite as “FVM-81-07-27,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on 30 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/81-07-27