Hoare's image of Syzygium myrtacea, otherwise known as brush cherry or watergum, is precise and scientific in appearence. Firstly sketched in pencil, the artist has used vivid greens and reds to verify both the globular fruit and long elliptical leaves. Close attention has been paid to individual characteristics such as detail in leaves, including the use of a glossy dark green, perhaps indicating a waxy appearance to the upper side of the leaf. The composition of the work bears resemblance to a scientific diagram or illustration of a botanical specimen.

The initial Northern Territory Survey Expedition to survey country sections and a capital for the Northern Territory commenced under BT Finniss. Settlers were keen for the survey to be completed, so when progress of this survey was delayed, George Woodroffe Goyder, Surveyor-General of South Australia, was sent to complete it and select a site for a capital. Goyder set out from Port Adelaide in late 1868 on the Moonta with 150 men, reaching Port Darwin early in 1869.

In February 1869 Goyder founded the settlement of Palmerston, later known as Darwin. Six months later, more than 650,000 acres had been surveyed for town and country lands.

William Hoare's sketchbook included 23 artworks of marine and plant life observed during the expedition.

Finniss, Boyle Travers, 1807-1893

Goyder, G. W. (George Woodroffe), 1826-1898

Centenary of Federation: Connecting the Continent See: Overland Telegraph stories: Northern Territory Survey Expedition

Goyder, George Woodroffe (1826 - 1898) surveyor-general: Australian dictionary of biography

Northern Territory Survey Expedition (1868-1870): State Library of SA South Australiana database

State Records of South Australia See: Exhibits: South Australia on the map: GW Goyder (1826-1898)

William Webster Hoare Dictionary of Australian artists online