25/8/91
The Eucalyptus, of which you just sent branchlets, dear Mr Gill, is the rough-barked variety of E. Leucoxylon (var. Sideroxylon). It is rare in S.A., but in stony ridges of N.V.1 & Riverina2 not uncommon and often indicates an auriferous geologic formation.
The typical form is a White Gumtree, but the rough-barked one is an Ironbark-tree. I explained this fully in the Eucalyptography.3 Many other instances of rough- and of smooth-barked Eucalypts within the same species are on record
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller
Eucalyptus Leucoxylon var Sideroxylon
Northern Victoria.
South-western NSW.
B79.13.11, opening un-numbered page of the entry for E. Leucoxylon.
MS is accompanied by an envelope: 'On Her Majesty's Service Walt. Gill Esqr FLS., F.R.H.S., Conservator of Forests Adelaide Government Botanist, Melbourne, 26/8 1891.' The front bears the frank stamp and insignia of the 'CHIEF SECRETARY VICTORIA' and a postal stamp 'MELBOURNE AU 26 91'.
Please cite as “FVM-91-08-25,” 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