Document information
Physical location:
Archive box 00323, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne. 57.12.02Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Frederick McCoy, 1857-12-02. 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//letters/1850-9/1857/57-12-02-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
2. Dec 57
Dear Prof. M'Coy,
These bone-fragments came from the Rev. Mr Woods of Penola in a letter They were found
by himself imbedded in limestone, about 1' below the surface.
What is your opinion of cameels as travellers over a rocky country? I must say with
Tacitus relata refero
when I made my statements on the comparative value of cameels to that of horses before
the Institute.
It was however but
one
of the objections, that on which I have been put right.
1
'I [only] report what I've been told', a technique frequently used by Tacitus to work
in incriminating suggestions without evidence.
2
'The use of camels in our deserts has been recommended, but when it is considered
that much of the Australian interior is of a stony, and not of a sandy nature, that
these animals require a management of their own, and cannot roam about by night to
find food, being deprived only of their freedom by the hobble chain — I still believe
that horses will remain preferable, if kept shod constantly.' (B58.05.03, p. 166).
yours obediently
& attached Ferd Mueller