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60.01.12Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to William Nicholson, 1860-01-12. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/60-01-12>, accessed April 19, 2025
1
Letter not found. For the text given here, see B60.01.01.
12th January, 1860.
Sir,
I have the honor of transmitting to you my general report on the labors in this establishment
during the past year, and beg to submit at the same time an outline of the arrangements
which I propose for our work during the next season.
Some additions to the cultivated ground have been effected by forming ornamental shrubberies
along the northern side of the gardens, and flower borders near the office building,
at the palm-house, and at the southern lagoon. The nursery-ground has likewise been
considerably enlarged, it being our aim to meet fully the annual demand for young
plants by the gardens and reserves of the various public institutions throughout the
colony.
Many rare or ornamental plants have been transferred from the nurseries to the main
garden. Extensive lines of edgings around the flower borders had to be renewed; whilst
the attendance to the great
melange
of plants in the now very large space of cultivated ground absorbs alone a considerable
amount of attendance and labor. Rows of such umbrageous trees as are suitable to this
climate, including Chinese locust trees, white cedars, paulownias, walnuts, &c., were planted in the central part of the garden and along
the northern margin of our ground, and with a view of beautifying the banks of the
Yarra towards Prince's bridge willow cuttings have been planted around the lagoons
of the reserve.
About three hundred and twenty tree-guards of iron are either ready or contracted
for, and will be required for the protection of the young trees, which we have reared
for lining the walks of the northern ground, and these tree preservers may be used
for very many years in establishing successively avenues through our area and the
surrounding domains.
Numerous stumps of trees, felled unfortunately before our grounds were set apart to
their present purposes, have been removed. A second and larger propagating house has
been constructed; a dwelling for the foreman of the northern ground is erected at
the western entrance, and also two wooden lodges are built in the southern ground.
In anticipation of the arrival of the twenty-four camels and dromedaries from India,
ordered at the expense of this establishment, stables have been built in the south
reserve, where also a wooden building for the accommodation of smaller animals is
raised, and a similar one, already contracted for, will offer additional shelter to the animals in that enclosure. A
wooden house for sheltering the Llamas and Angora goats has been constructed in the
southern reserve.
The aviary has been completed by adding the other wing; and as soon as the substitution
of an iron bridge for the rustic decayed one was effected, the two divisions of the
aviary were united, the whole dry and shady space below the bridge thereby becoming
available as a secluded spot for brooding birds.
It was found needful to raise a stone wall and causeway on the depressed part of the
Yarra banks, near the lagoon, in order to protect the garden against the periodical
inundations to which it was subjected through the Yarra floods.
By the application of a small ornamental windmill, it is intended to establish the
requisite current of fresh water from the river to the lake. At the southern ground
similar appliances we may be able to adopt this year for forcing Yarra water to the
higher parts of our ground until the Yan Yean pipes shall be brought within our reach.
With the advantage of an unlimited supply of water, our plan of enhancing the beauty
of this spot by fountains may be realized. Meanwhile cisterns and tanks have been
provided at all the principal buildings of the establishment, for collecting as much
as possible of the rain water for gardening purposes.
2
See Lamb (1996).
In further reference to the progress of building works throughout the year, I beg
to allude to the extensive and substantial fences already erected, or under progress
of erection. The close wooden fencing of the northern area was completed in the beginning
of last year, thus securing a pasture to many of the herbivorous animals. Of the higher
and therefore more salubrious ground of the southern reserve a portion has been enclosed
by high wooden fences as grazing ground for various animals, whilst another portion
of the reserve by iron fencing has been separated as a paddock for larger graminivorous
quadrupeds. A line of superior iron fencing is now in course of construction, to be
placed parallel to the northern limits of the above enclosures, and sufficiently distant
to admit of the formation of a carriage drive, and a shady promenade.
The Board of Land and Works has been pleased to concede the use of the reserve between
Prince's bridge and the botanic garden, for the additional accommodation of the expected
camels, and to sanction also the temporary occupation of two and a half acres at the
eastern rise of the Government house reserve, for the more convenient trend of the
proposed fence lines.
3
See M to J. Service, 3 January 1860.
Further iron and wooden fences have been raised at the northern ground, and near the
Yarra foot-bridge.
After the completion of the iron fences, the worn out lines of paling can be removed,
and much ground will thereby be added to the nurseries, and space be obtained to cultivate
around some of the cottages, a selection of standard varieties of vines and other
fruits, which I regret to say, it would be at present hopeless for us to attempt to
rear in less guarded localities.
A main walk has been formed through the northern ground, by conveying from the opposite
side of the river, the requisite quarry rubble and gravel. Walks have also been laid
out, leading to the palm house. Some of the older lines of walk have only been completed
this season.
With the formation of the contemplated drive in the reserve, and some additional paths,
the extension of the system ground, the raising of islands in the lagoons, the construction
of a pavilion, of bowers, grottoes, and rockwork, the principal arrangement of our
ground may be considered as decided on; and then a lithographed plan of the whole
establishment may be issued,
for facilitating the search after certain plants or to serve as a general guide to
visitors in the inspection of the gardens.
4
See B65.10.01.
The main underground drains in the southern grounds have been for the greater part
completed during the past year, but many surface gutters are yet to be laid, whenever
material for that purpose shall be available; but a complete system of drainage has
yet to be introduced into the more recently added northern division of our area.
More than 2000 of our cultivated plants are now furnished with conspicuous metal labels;
and since their inscriptions seem to have afforded much desirable information, we
may by degrees augment their number.
Although many additional benches have been furnished, they are still inadequate for
the accommodation of the visitors, for it is pleasing to record that the recreation
which this locality affords is so greatly appreciated. In corroboration of this, I
may adduce the fact that seldom less, and often more, than 5000 visitors are counted
on Sundays as entering at the principal gates of the southern ground; about half this
number visiting simultaneously the northern reserve.
The total of our Sunday visitors to the southern ground during 1859, irrespective
of those who enter by the smaller gates, was 160,220; the number of visitors at the northern ground during
seven months was 41,035. The aggregate of visitors during week days may be regarded
as nearly equal to that of the Sundays, so that probably the total has rather exceeded than fallen short of 300,000 during the past year.
Anxious to render the establishment one of not less utility than one of healthful
recreation and agreeable information, we have endeavoured to furnish from hence as
extensive supplies as possible. Thus, on ninety-one occasions, boughs and flowers
for decoration have been furnished for public festivals, and not less than 20,438
plants, 2406 cuttings, and 44,572 papers of seeds have been distributed, either to
public gardens and reserves, or to donors entitled to supplies by reciprocation, or
in our maintaining or initiating an interchange with similar institutions abroad;
and means have been adopted to render similar supplies available next season. Besides
several thousand lots of seeds gathered in the establishment have been re-sown in
this garden.
A list is added to this document of such plants as were imported or raised during
the season;
and although some contained in the catalogue of the previous year are lost, particularly
many of the annual plants, which are always an uncertain possession, there are also
still many other young plants cultivated, which, on account of having been received
without accurate appellations, could not yet be examined and enumerated. The total
of the species in our possession may therefore be approximately estimated at 4500,
numerous additional varieties uncounted.
5
The printed report is accompanied (pp. 12-16) by a 'Catalogue of the plants added during 1859 to those under cultivation in the Melbourne
Botanic Garden'.
The curator, Mr. Dallachy, was engaged from July, 1858, till February, 1859, in collecting
plants and seeds on the rivers Murray and Darling, the collections formed having proved
not only valuable for adding to our varieties of such ornamental plants as are calculated
to resist the drought, but also as comprising many species previously nowhere under
cultivation, and therefore highly acceptable for continuing the interchange with the
gardens of Britain, the colonies, and foreign countries.
By this journey the material for the elaboration of the work on our native plants
became also augmented, as may be observed by referring to the appended list of new
Victorian plants.
We being further desirous of adding to our collections both of cultivated and dried
plants, Mr. Augustus Oldfield proceeded to the northern districts of Western Australia,
from whence he recently returned after an absence of seventeen months. The phytological
features of that part of Australia have not merely the charm of novelty, but furnished
also, as was anticipated, a clue to the scientific interpretation of several plants,
which under a rather similar clime vegetate in the north western desert of Victoria,
and are therefore of importance for the elucidation of our own flora. Dr. Beckler,
supported like Mr. Oldfield, only with such slender means as this department could afford, has
undertaken the botanical examination of the "brush country" situated within the systema
of the rivers McLeay, Hastings, Richmond, and Clarence,
and is to accumulate also for our public collections, plants from the hitherto little
explored alpine and subalpine ranges, in which these rivers rise, and will thereby
afford the means of ascertaining the relation which exists between these plants to
those of the Victorian Alps.
6
NSW.
Thus it is steadily kept in view to bring into our possession an herbarium as complete
as possible for the future elaboration of an universal descriptive work on the vegetation
of Australia; and I am gratified to state, that of late a much more general interest
has been evinced for investigations into the Australian flora, a work so gigantic,
that without the co-operation of circumspect observers in many distant localities,
it will be long before it can advance to perfection. Most particularly am I under
obligation to W. Woolls, Esq., of Paramatta for contributing an almost complete collection
of the plants occurring in his vicinity; to Dr. Milligan and Mr. Oldfield for plants
from Tasmania, to Dr. Beckler from subtropical East Australia, to Messrs. Walcott
for plants from near Shark's Bay,
to Mr. Charles Stuart for plants from New England,
and to Mr. George Maxwell for plants from South Western Australia. Extensive contributions
of extra-Australian plants for the herbarium have been received from the United States
of North America, presented by Professor Dr. Asa Gray, Mr. Geyer, Dr. Saltwell, Mr.
Eaton, United States; Assam plants, presented by Drs. Jos. Hooker and Thomas Thomson;
Hong Kong plants, presented by Dr. Hance; and Ceylon plants, presented by Mr. Thwaites.
Minor contributions during the year we owe to
7
WA.
8
NSW.
9
Not all persons named in the lists below have been identified. Those for whom details
have been found have entries in the Biographical Register.
Bailey, F., Wellington, New Zealand
Bowman, Edw. M., Lower Macquarie
Clifton, George, Freemantle
Cole, Commissioner, Eustone, Murray River
10
Stephen Cole, Euston, NSW.
Coutts, Dr., South Yarra
Dallachy, John
Donavan, S.
Goodwin, Rev. Th. H., Darling River
Gregory, A., Brisbane
Gregory, F., Perth, Western Australia
Gunn, R., M.L.A., Launceston
Hardie, E.
Hill, W., Brisbane
Jones, Ph. F., Williamstown
Layard, Capt. G.,
St. Kilda
11
i.e. Captain J. A. Layard.
Main, Patr., Bacchus Marsh
Rusden, G. W.
Sandiman,
Gordon, Ipswich
12
Error for Sandeman.
Shepherd and Co., Sydney
Schmidt, E. B., Castlemaine
Smith, John Th., M.L.A.
Snellgrove, I.
Sonder, Dr. W., Hamburgh
Thozet, Rockhampton
Vernon, W., Wooloomooloo
Warburton, Major, Adelaide
Wilhelmi, Charles, South Yarra
Wood, Rev. Jul. Edw., Penola
The total of the botanical specimens received was 10,938.
From this office a distribution of 11,978 dried plants took place during the year,
a share being furnished for the enlargement of the herbariums at the Melbourne University,
and at the Public Library.
In endeavouring to enrich the collections, or adding to the notes for the botanical
works here under progress, I have enjoyed not only the aid of private gentlemen, but
also every support from our Government, of New South Wales, and South Australia. Thus
His Excellency Sir William Denison was pleased to submit to this office for examination
the plants collected during Mr. Gregory's expedition from Moreton Bay to Lake Torrens,
while by desire of His Excellency Sir Richard MacDonnell the Honorable Francis St.
Dutton transmitted the botanical collections formed during Mr. Babbage's expedition.
The same favor was extended to me by T. Chambers, Esq., of Adelaide,
in reference to the plants secured during Mr. Stuart's second expedition.
The examination of the plants of tropical Australia, entrusted to me by Her Majesty's
Home Government,
has absorbed the rest of that time which other duties permitted me to devote for the
purpose.
13
B59.04.03.
14
B59.10.02.
15
i.e. James Chambers.
16
B60.06.01.
17
i.e. from the North Australian Exploring Expedition, 1855-6.
The introduction of plants by interchange of Wardian cases was carried on as formerly,
the number of cases received being thirty-four, and exactly the same number was shipped
from this establishment. The cases which we received, were furnished by the Royal
Gardens of Kew, the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, Brisbane, Buitenzorg, Capetown, Hobarton,
Mauritius, Port Natal, Paradenia, and Portland, and by Captain Anderson, of the Chatham
Islands; W. F. Bailey, Esq., of Wellington; J. H. Brooke, M.L.A.; Dr. Evans, M.L.A.; Honorable Dr. Featherstone, Wellington; Dr.
Hillebrand, Honolulu; W. K. Hulke, Esq., of New Plymouth; A. Rusden, Esq., Foo-Tchow-Foo;
W. Woolls, Esq., of Paramatta. In effecting many of these exchanges we were favored
with the gratuitous transit of our consignments, and are thus particularly indebted
to the Royal Mail Steamers' Company, to many of the mercantile firms of the city and to many commanders of vessels.
An active share was taken by many colonists and friends of this establishment abroad,
in adding to its horticultural collections, by securing for it seeds, bulbs, &c.,
as may be demonstrated by the list of donors, which I am much gratified to promulgate.
18
Fuzhou, China.
Abbott, F., Hobarton
Alain, Pentland Hills
19
Main? A typesetter's error when preparing the source document? Probably J. P. Main, Pentland Hills. Patrick Main of Bacchus Marsh, mentioned earlier, may be the same person, since the
Pentland Hills are close to Bacchus Marsh.
Alleyne, St. Kilda
Alloo, John, Emerald Hill
Appelius, Erfurth
Arnold, E., Melbourne
Asher, Charles
Atkinson, South Yarra
Babbage, Hersch., Adelaide
Bailey, F., Wellington
Balfour, Professor Dr., Edinburgh
Bancroft, Capt., Toorak
Bannier, W., Melbourne
Barker, Mrs., Cape Schanck
Barkly, His Excellency Sir Henry
Barry, Honorable Judge
Bateman, Edward
Baynton, G., Darling Downs
Begerty, C., St Kilda
Behr, Dr. Herm., San Francisco
Beissel, Charles
Berlin Botanic Garden
Berry, Thomas, Richmond
Best, A. F.
Beveridge, Peter, Murray River
Buist, R., Philadelphia
20
Probably either Robert Buist (1805-1880) or his son, also Robert Buist (1837-1910),
both nurserymen in Philadelphis, USA.
Bosisto, J., Richmond
Bowman, Edward M., Macquarie River
Brandis, G., Ensfield
Bremen Botanic Garden
Breslau Botanic Garden
Brewster, Sandridge
21
G. F. Brewster; now Port Melbourne.
Brooke, J. H., M.L.A., Heidelberg
Brown, J., Como
22
i.e., John Brown (1804-1871), of the property 'Como', South Yarra, Vic.
Bryant, George, South Yarra
Buckley, W.
Bunce, Daniel, Geelong
Buttler, H. S.
Calcutta Botanic Garden
Chapman, South Yarra
Clayton, W., Melbourne
Clifton, George, Freemantle
Cobham, Mrs., Clifton
Cole, Capt. G. W.
Cole, T. C., Richmond
Coppin, Hon. George, M.L.C.
Cresswell, H. S., South Yarra
Dallachy, John
Douglass, Mrs., Williamstown
Duncan, W.
Dunlop, Brighton
Dyson, Arthur
Evans, Dr., M.L.A.
Falconer, T. J.,
Sydney
23
Typesetter
'
s error for
J. J. Falconer?
Farrel, J.
Fawcett, J. W.
Ferguson, W.,
Heidelberg
24
William Ferguson.
Ferguson, Capt.,
Williamstown
25
Charles Ferguson.
Fischer, L., Bugle Range, South Australia
Fisher, W. C., Melbourne
Fitzallen, E.,
Little River
26
Eugene Fitzalan?
Francis, George, Adelaide
Francis, J. G., M.L.A.
Franke, Gustave, Collingwood
Freeman, Heathcote
Gaulston, E. B., Melbourne
Gayet, Henry
Gell, St. Kilda
Glasgow Botanic Garden
Goodall, Harry, Snapper Point
27
i.e. Harley Goodall
.
Goodwin, Rev. Th. H., Darling River
Gray, Professor Dr. Asa, Boston
Greeves, Dr. A.
Gregory, A., Brisbane
Greigg, Miss
Grosse, Fr., South Yarra
Hall, W.
Hance, Dr., Hong Kong
Handiside, G.
Harris, Ch.
Harvey, Captain of
Harvest Home
Hellicar, St. Kilda
Henderson and Son, London
Henty, Fr., Portland
Hill, W., Brisbane
Hillebrand, Dr. W., Honolulu
Hooker, Sir W., Kew
Horne, G. S. W., M.L.A.
Howarth, Boroondara
Howitt, Dr. G.
Ick, Edw.
Johnson, B. and S., Preston
Kay, Capt., South Yarra
Kerr, Rob., St. Kilda
Lamford, Edw., Castlemaine
Lamoile, Mrs., Toorak
Lang, Th., Ballaarat
Launceston Horticultural Society
Law, Will.
Lee, George
Lee, Parkin
Leetch, Conolly
London Horticultural Society
Madras Botanic Garden
Martley J. F., South Yarra
Mason, Leonard, Lucknow, Gipps Land
Maxwell, George, Albany, Western Australia
Mitchell, W.
Moore, C. Sydney
Moore, Dublin
28
David Moore, curator of the Glasnevin Botanic Garden, Dublin?
Moore, Thomas, Chelsea
Morrison, George, Buenos Ayres
Morrison, Thomas
Mueller, Dr. F.
Mulliken, Samuel
Murray, Andrew
Murray, W., San Francisco
McArthur, D. C.
McGowan, S. W.
McKenzie, Port Albert
Newenham, H. H., North Melbourne
Owen, Adelaide
Parker, Mrs. K., Sydney
Perry, Darling River
Pestell, William
Phelps, Joseph, Murrumbidgee
Pittman, Joseph, Prahran
Politz, St. Kilda
Portland Botanic Garden
Ralston, Mrs., South Yarra
Rickards, J. R.
Richie, South Yarra
Roberts, S.
Roope, Honorable, M.L.C.
Ross, Murray River
Russell, J., Richmond
Russell, Mrs. John, Richmond
Rutherford, Mrs.
Salkeld, Mrs., Richmond
Sangster, South Yarra
Sayce, Melbourne
Schott, Dr., Vienna
Scott, James, Hawthorn
Scott, W. C., Melbourne
Seidel, Geelong
Selwin, Alfred
Sewell, Dr.
Shepherd and Co., Messrs., Sydney
Sloane, J.
Smith and Adamson, South Yarra
Smith, John Thomas, M.L.A.
Smith, Rev. James, Delhi
Smith, Mrs.
Snellgrove, Edward H.
Standish, London
Stiffe, John, Geelong
Stuart, Charles, Clifton
Thozet, Rockhampton
Thwaites, G. H. K., Paradenia
Timburg, R., St. Kilda
Turnbull and Buchanan,
Sealers' Cove
29
William Buchanan.
Turnbull, South Yarra
Tyler, South Yarra
Vause, Richard, Port Natal
Veitch, James, jun., Chelsea
Vernon, W., Sydney
Wadsworth, R., South Yarra
Walcott, P., Chamption Bay
Walker, S. J.
Ward, James
Weidenbach, Max., Adelaide
White, George, Geelong
Wilhelmi, Charles, South Yarra
Williams, Rev. Thomas
Wills, Mrs. T., Collingwood
Wilson, W., Canterbury
Wood, Rev. Jul. Edw., Penola
Woods, T. F., Angastown
Woolls, W., Paramatta
Wright, J.
Wright, barrister
Young, Sir Henry, Tasmania
The animals of the menagerie are at present all in a healthy condition. They comprise
Angora goats, fat-tail sheep, Llama-alpacas, 13 fallow deer, with 3 fawns, a Sumatra
deer, Ceylon elk, several kangaroos and emus, koalas, an ichneumon, monkeys of various species, a considerable
variety of singing birds, of which the canaries, goldfinches, and linnets have reared
broods, whilst the thrushes are nesting; Californian quail, which also increased; native companions, 16 black and 6 white swans,
English and silver pheasants, Murray pheasants, Australian eagles, hawks, and several
other smaller animals.
Some eagles and waterhens have been shipped for interchange to the Zoological Society
of London. An importation of South African game, through the friendly co-operation
of the Government of the Cape Colony, may be soon expected.
Contributions towards the menagerie have been gratefully received from the following
donors:
Allan, T. M., Warrnambool
30
J. M. Allan? Almost certainly a typesetter's misreading of the inital in the MS.
Baker, C., Collingwood
Baxter, Rev., Kew
31
William Baxter, c.1812-1876.
Beamish, Rev. Dr. J. T., Warrnambool
32
Error for P. T. Beamish.
Berse, Samuel
Buttler, A. E., Geelong
Cameron, Hugh, Prahran
Cave, Capt., of the
Panama
Clow, Rev. Mr.
Coppin, Honorable G., Richmond
Craigg, S. K.
, Enfield, Middlesex
33
Samuel Craig?
Cropper, W., St. Kilda
Cumberland, B.
Embling, Dr., M.L.A.
Frazer, Hugh, Welshpool
Degraves, Will.
Haselgrave,
Brighton
34
Thomas Hazelgrove?
Heape, Charles
Hick, George
Hooper, Mrs.
Hugham, Allan, Avoca
Isaacs, B.
Johnson, Hon. G. W., Kyneton
Keith, Archibald
Kelly, Will. Lancel.
Khull, Miss Mary, Toorak
Lamoile, Toorak
Layard, Capt., St. Kilda
Mallett, D., South Yarra
Murcutt, Robert
Nash, R., St. Kilda
Newell, Hooper and Stevens
Parson, J. G.,
Brighton
35
J. G. Parsons?
Penson, R., Prahran
Pendergast, W. E., Snapper Point
Perkins, G. B., Brighton
Perry, R. D., Melbourne
Pritchard, Capt., of
Camilla
Riches, Capt. C. F., of
Gazehound
Riley, Thomas, Sandridge
Robertson, Dr., Queenscliff
Roope, Honorable Mrs.
Russell, Mrs. Lydia, Emerald Hill
Salkeld, Richmond
Sewell, Dr.
Slade, Lieut., R.N.
Simpskin, Queenscliff
Smith and Adamson, South Yarra
Smith and Clare
Thompson, Henry
Topp, Miss Alice, South Yarra
Twoose, R. F.,
Richmond
36
i.e. R. F. Twose.
Wadsworth, R., South Yarra
Webber, F. B., Gardiner's Creek
Wehl, Dr. Edward, Mount Gambier
Wild, Miss
Wilson, Edw., London
Winglesworth.
The canary birds having considerably increased in number, a trial was made under the
sanction of the committee for carrying out the original design, to naturalize foreign
singing birds,
by setting them at liberty in our shrubberies; the experiment seemed at first to be
attended with success, but gradually, although well provided with food, the number
of the liberated birds decreased, and at last they entirely disappeared. In an attempt
to naturalize the more hardy thrushes, we may anticipate to be more successful, particularly
if at the proper season, the birds are at once transferred to suitable spots in the
forest ranges, or perhaps to some of the islands. Of thrushes, not less than forty-six
were obtained through the extreme liberality of Edward Wilson, Esq., and the disinterested
zeal, the circumspect care, and patient perseverance of that gentleman, for the introduction of the treasures
of the animal kingdom into this country, cannot receive a sufficiently high eulogium.
To his exertions, supported by some friends of the colonies in Britain, we owe principally
the donation of our llama-alpaca flock, and we shall probably be soon indebted to
him for rendering the salmon a denizen of the Australian rivers; some pheasants were
likewise received from Mr. Wilson, of which five were transferred to Phillip Island,
where Mr. McHaffy
declared himself ready to bestow every care on them and their offspring. The Angora
goats have increased by four, the llama-alpacas by seven; the fleece of one of the former yielded approximately,
8 lbs. of wool, that of a young superior animal of the latter, 4½ lbs., although some of the large llamas furnished a greater weight of coarser wool;
this supply falls considerably short of the produce obtained from some of the genuine
alpacas of the government's flock in New South Wales, two of the best animals having
respectively furnished 12 and 18 lbs. of wool; great gratitude is therefore due to
the enlightened rulers of that colony, for their liberality in adding a pure alpaca
ram to our flock, with a view to the improvement of the breed, the fleece of ours
being otherwise scarcely of any mercantile value. Should, as might be expected, the
Angora goats thrive in many of the scrubby grassless districts of our ranges, where
neither sheep nor cattle prosper, an inestimable addition will be made to the pastoral
resources of the colony, and many districts now unoccupied, may become thereby available
for settlement. Both Angora goats and alpacas, it may be added, prove here remarkably prolific.
37
See Maroske & Gilfedder (1994).
38
John McHaffie.
For the temporary reception of future importations of fish, especially salmon, a series
of tanks is now under construction, through which, by the appliance of mill-work,
a constant current of river water will be secured; for although it is intended to
locate the principal supply of salmon ova at once after arrival in the elevated and
artificially protected shallows of rivers rising in our Alps, it will be still desirable
that also an attempt should be made to hatch them on our ground, and to rear some
of the young fish for experiment, and eventual distribution to other localities of
this country.
To these manifold obligations has been added by the military officers another, deserving
of high praise, namely, the frequent attendance of the excellent regimental band at
the gardens.
A few weeks of the previous summer were devoted by the Government botanist to researches
into the vegetation of the mountains along the McAllister river. The tributaries of
the latter stream were found on that occasion to traverse a country of rather extensive
fertility and, to judge by its physical aspect, of auriferous formation. Some botanical novelties, enumerated in the appendix,
were discovered and secured for the herbarium. In this journey, the main range of
the South Western Alps was ascertained to extend in an almost semi-elliptical line
from Mount Wellington to Mount Useful, at an elevation varying from 4000 to 5000 feet,
only the northern part of this mountain tract, encircling the sources of the McAllister,
being more depressed and somewhat broken. From several high mountains, then ascended
for the first time, bearings were secured to elevations included in the trigonometrical
survey. From the more elevated western portion of these mountains, now designated
on the chart as the Barkly Ranges, a leading spur will in all probability be found
to extend to the hitherto unapproached alpine elevations of Mount Baw Baw.
39
The printed report is followed (p. 11) by
'
Fifth systematic index of the plants of Victoria, comprising those collected in 1859;
by Ferdinand Mueller, M.D., PH. D., Government Botanist
'
.
This question which I left during my first visit unsolved I am anxious to set at rest
during the next season. Mount Wellington, inasmuch as it can be reached by a path
accessible to horses from the Avon Ranges, may be regarded as the southern key of
the Australian Alps, from whence along the crest of the main ramifications of the
high land a journey with horses seems possible in most directions. Otherwise, the
dense underwood of the less lofty ranges, stretching between the alpine tract and
the low land, frustrates any attempt to traverse the country between the Yarra sources
and Gipps Land without cutting previously tracts
through the jungle, whereas the main range, at elevations exceeding 4000 feet, is
usually destitute of these impediments.
40
tracks?
It is my duty to bear, on this occasion, public acknowledgment to the generous aid
which in performing this journey I experienced from Angus McMillan, Esq., M.L.A.,
the discoverer of Gipps Land, who not only provided six horses and almost all other
requisites for this excursion, but also facilitated it, whilst sharing in it, by his
intimate knowledge of the surrounding country. The botanical examination of Victoria,
although now for the greater part completed, has yet to be extended to the country
towards Lake Hindmarsh, to Mount Baw Baw, and to the most eastern part of the colony
about Cape Howe.
Ten numbers of the
Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae
are issued,
comprising the diagnoses of nearly 500 new or rare plants contained in our collection.
This publication is illustrated by ten plates drawn by Messrs. Becker
and Schoenfeld; whilst to botanical science in general it furnishes a series of new
observations, it affords the opportunity of publicly expressing my thanks for many
contributions received by us; and it will, moreover, be useful as a work of reference to the herbarium.
41
See Mueller's publication list.
42
Ludwig Becker.
Of the
Plants Indigenous to the Colony of Victoria, about half the first volume is printed, and twenty-eight lithographic illustrations
are prepared for it.
This work is intended as a continuation of the series of quarto volumes published
by Dr. J. Hooker, under the authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Arrangements have been entered into for issuing the first volume in 1860.
43
B62.03.03.
In the publication of that part of the work referring to cryptogamic plants, I enjoy
the valuable aid of the Rev. Mr. Berkeley and Mr. E. Hampe, who have made those branches
of botany referring to cellular plants the subjects of long and careful inquiry.
For the information of those interested in the progress of knowledge of Australian
vegetation, I may be permitted to state, that of any apparently uncommon plant, even
the smallest fragments, such as can be easily pressed into an ordinary note-book,
and be transmitted in a letter, will be acceptable; and that even specimens of the
common plants, particularly of the interior districts, are of value to ascertain the
range of the various species over the country. Such specimens should, whenever possible,
be procured both in flower and fruit.
Beyond the frequent application to this office for the systematic determination of
indigenous plants, also not rarely wishes are expressed for information on uses and
qualities of vegetable productions, or on plants desirable for introduction — questions
which receive, I need not state, the promptest and fullest attention I am able to
give them. More extensive information may be expected will be gained when once the
building now under progress, intended as a museum of economic botany, is filled with
a systematic assortment of such raw and artificial materials, obtained from the vegetable
kingdom, as are introduced into manufactures, medicine, or domestic use. The numerous
fascicles of classified dried plants will be removed from the small office-building
to the museum as soon as the necessary fittings are completed, and we may trust that
the opening of one of the richest collections of Australian plants, and an extensive herbarium from other parts of the
globe, will materially tend to diffuse knowledge, and add to the attractions of this establishment.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
FERD. MUELLER,
Government Botanist and Director of the Botanical and Zoological Garden.
The Honorable the Chief Secretary,
&c., &c., &c.