The herb sent from Macorna North1 is the Sida Corrugrata.2 It is a harmless plant, but the chances are that stock like it. Whether this is so can be best observed by the stockowner. In all probability it is the small perennial weed Euphorbia Drummondi that is causing the death of J. J.'s sheep, as it often grows in company with the sida. Like all the euphorbias, it has a milky sap. The leaves are small and roundish, the flowers minute, and the stems prostrate. If by these indications the really poisonous euphorbia cannot be recognised, I could send a specimen of it to your subscriber.3
Euphorbia Drummondi
Sida Corrugrata
c. 20 km South East of Kerang, Vic.
Typesetters error for corrugata?
The item ends: 'If J.J. wishes to obtain a specimen of the poisonous euphorbia write to that effect to the Agricultural Editor of "The Weekly Times."'
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Answers to correspondents', Weekly times (Melbourne), 1 December 1894, p. 30, (B94.12.03). Assuming that the reply would be published in the next available issue in this weekly newspaper, it is dated to 23 November 1894 as the likely earliest date it would have been sent.
The text is introduced by 'Specimens of Plant. — J. J., Macorna North. — Baron von Mueller furnishes the following information:'.
Please cite as “FVM-94-11-23,” 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