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Q60/7867, unit 748, VPRS 1189/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 60.09.02Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to William Nicholson, 1860-09-02. 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/60-09-02>, accessed June 8, 2025
1
MS written by Carl Wilhelmi and signed by M.
2 September 1860.
Sir
I have the honor to submit to you a brief report on the works and proceedings in this
establishment during the month of August 1860.
The 13 No. of the fragmenta phytographiae Australiae is issued, in which by naming
an undescribed East Australian climbing Lily a scientific tribute is paid to the memory
of the deeply lamented Honorable John Hodgson.
2
Hodgsonia junciformis (B60.08.01, p. 96).
Several sheets of my flora of Victoria passed through the press, so that now 115 pages
(large quarto) are printed and I may hope to finish the first volumen at the end of
this year.
To have extended the botanical survey of the colony within that time over all parts
of the Colony, Mr Dallachy was requested to proceed to Lake Hindmarsh for collecting,
whilst I myself contemplate to travel over the country in the vicinity of Cape Howe
in September and to Mount Baw Baw in November, all these localities being as yet untrotten
by any botanist.
3
The work was not issued until 1862; see B62.03.03.
It is gratifying to report, that our collections of dried plants receive steadily
increase from various gentlemen in different colonies of Australia, and that recently
his Excellency the Governor of Queensland has been pleased to permit our collector
to join the expedition, now under command of Lieut. Smith, R.N., exploring the estuary
of the Burdekin.
4
Eugene Fitzalan, see B60.13.12.
The repositories for the botanical collections will probably be finished in September,
when commencement could be made to render them by proper arrangement available for
public inspection.
The experimental division of the garden around the offices has been laid out, and
has been planted with many species, on which I wished to institute a regular series
of observations. It contains already a considerable variety of fruit-trees and vines
and other plants, which I had (until this season the new enclosures were made by forming
the carriage drive,) no opportunity of establishing in the garden, when away from
constant & close watching these trees would only be subjected to plunder. Any fruits,
raised on the ground, might be regularly forwarded to our hospitals and benevolent
institutions. Several hundred additional labels for plants have been painted.
A circular border has been formed at the southern part of the gardens. The excavations
on the northern ground we continued to fill up, and improvements on the walks are
under progress, one of which will consist in making a branch path along a new fence
from the Yarra foot bridge to the Governments road on the Eastern side of the Gardens,
so that also at night times the bridge may be passed.
The spring season has developed the floral beauties, including many for the first
time here, in great profusion and has attracted many visitors, to this delightfull
spot. On Sundays during August 20,057 visitors were counted as entering the Gardens
at the main gates.
Mr Edward Wilson has not ceased to extend his generous exertions to this establishment.
We received from this Gentleman 58 trushes
and blackbirds pr "Suffolk" this month, but I regret to say, that several, notwithstanding
our greatest solicitude, died soon after arrival, as they were as most of the former
ones half devoid of plumage & sadly affected by disease at their arrival. Two black
Swans have been shipped to the bot. Garden at Buitenzorg, Java, from whence I am anxious
to procure the Peruvian Bark
trees, imported into that island on an enormous expense by the Dutch Government.
One female Angora Goat was born, thus these valuable animals having now more than
doubled during the short time, whilst they were under my superintendence. The whole
animals were inspected by the zoological committee, and as result of this inspection
I beg to quote from the minute books the following resolution adopted on Mr Lyalls
motion:
5
thrushes?
6
Cinchona
.
"A number of members of Committee of the zoological Gardens having visited the Gardens
on the 13 August, the Committee have to report, that the stock was found to be in
good health and condition, and that great credit is due to Dr Mueller for the care
and attention displayed in the management of the life-stock."
The Alpaca stable in the northern ground has been transformed into a temporary aviary
for trushes
and black birds, as it is during the breeding season essential, that as much space
as possible should be allotted to the birds for nesting and avoiding their mutually
interfering with each other.
7
thrushes?
The Committee sanctioned the transmission of two Phascolarcti
to the botanic Garden of Adelaide, these creatures, not being indigenous to South
Australia, having been desired by His Excellency Governor Sir Richard M'Donnell. From
the Adelaide botanical & zoological Garden a pair of Cape Barren Geese was obtained.
On Mr Edward Wilsons request some Black birds, trushes & larks were forwarded to the
Government of New South Wales, with a view to excite in the neighbouring colony an
interest in the labours and experiments so ardently commenced and prosecuted by Mr
Wilson, and his Excellency Sir Will. Denison has evinced the most lifely interest
not only in these experiments, but also decided to establish in
conjunction
with the botanic Garden at Sydney a zoological collection. — Several pair of Black
birds, trushes and larks have been liberated in our garden, at the Yarra bend Asylum,
at Sandstone Island, Mud Island and Phillip Island and seem to enjoy not only safety
but also to find sufficient natural sustenance.
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Koalas.
Nothwithstanding that both in Sydney and Adelaide the arrangement adopted by the Victorian
Government, of having the botanic & zoologic Garden combined has been appreciated
as worthy of immitation, and altho' I believe, to be able to give to my honorable
Chief a satisfactory account of my stewardship whilst I superintended simultaneously
with the botanic Garden its zoological division and altho' I regret, that ever any
thing should be withdrawn from this establishment, that may have rendered it additionally
attractive, I cannot withhold my recommendation, that the animals with exception of
the water-birds and singing birds, may be removed to the Royal Park as soon as ever
the Government and Legislature may have been pleased to sanction the requisite expenditure
for providing for the safety of the zoological collections at the Park.
9
MS file annotation: 'Recommends the removal of the animals to the Royal Park!!'
Not my shrinking for the amount of labour, which necessarily the administration of
the zoological branch involves and which I would be but too happy to continue gratuitously
as before, altho' it withdraws a considerable amount of my time from literary labours,
influences me in soliciting the removal of the animals, but the difficulty I see before
me in carrying on my supervision,
unless I am cordially supported by every member of the Committee
of the zoological Garden and my position as a honorary officer of the Committee is
understood and respected by every one of the Gentlemen.
I would therefore greatly prefer to return to my original and higher position of
being in every way directly responsible only to the honorable the Chief Secretary
and left free to act under the sole control of his office.
10
See de Courcy (1995), p. 16.
I have the honor to be
Sir
your most obedient & humble servant
Ferd. Mueller.
The Honorable the Chief Secretary
&c &c &c
11
File annotated by Nicholson, 10 September 1860: 'read'.