Document information

Physical location:

GRG 5/2, 716/1859, Police Commissioner's Office correspondence files, State Records of South Australia, Adelaide. 59.06.24

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Peter Warburton, 1859-06-24. 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/1850-9/1859/59-06-24-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Melbourne bot. & zoolog. Garden,
24 June 1859.
Sir
I have the honor to solicit, that you will perhaps kindfully exercise your influence in aiding me in obtaining the additional material for my work on the plants of Australia, by requesting the Gov. Officer in charge of the settlement of "Fowler's Bay" to dry specimens of plants in flower & fruit of the different species indigenous to his neighbourhood. The process of pressing such specimens between paper is so extremely simple and easy, that I can trust not to put the Gentleman appointed at Fowlers Bay in much inconvenience by my solicitation.
I may mention, that the plants of the country, surrounding Fowlers Bay are almost unknown, since only very few close to the shore were collected in Capt Flinders voyage at the time when the Bay was discovered. Our own public collection of dried specimens is perfectly devoid of any plant from that locality, whilst I believe that many interesting species, forming the transit of the plants of South Australia to those of Western Australia may there be discovered.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your most obedient & humble servant
Ferd. Mueller, M.D. & Ph. D.
Gov. Botanist for Victoria
The Commissioner of police &c &c &c
Adelaide
1
Warburton issued a memorandum on 22 July 1859 with instructions that Corporal O'Shanahan (stationed at Fowlers Bay, SA), and Police Troopers Gerharty (stationed at Venus Bay, SA) and Mudge be 'requested, as opportunity offers in their various Patrols & journeys — to collect specimens of Plants in flower or fruit of the different species indigenous to their respective neighbourhoods — A book is herewith sent for each man in which to press the specimens — The flowers together with a few leaves of the plants to be laid carefully between the papers with a short memo: of where and in what sort of soil they were found — The seeds in their pods should be made up in separate small packets and labelled' (GRG 5/2/1860/716).
On 6 February 1860 G. Hamilton, Chief Inspector of Police, Adelaide wrote to Sergeant W. H. Hooker, Mt Serle, SA: 'Books for the purpose of preserving flowers in are sent by the Commissioner of Police to Corpl Burtt at the Angepena. The Chief Inspector wishes to know if any Native flowers have been collected and preserved in these books in accordance with the Commissioner wishes — Sergt Hooker is requested to have this matter attended to as the specimens are intended for the Museum at Melbourne.' (GRG 5/2/1860/283).
On 18 February 1860 Hooker replied to Hamilton: 'I have the honor to inform the Chief Inspector of Police referring to a memorandum recd this day respecting the Books sent to Copl Burtt for the purpose of preserving Flowers &c — these Books are still here but nothing in them at present — Corpl Burtt will be in Adelaide in the course of a few days & no doubt will be able to furnish any information required. Should I be able to collect any description of Flowers from the North such shall be preserved & sent to Hd Qrs — I am affraid it is now to late in the Season —' (GRG 5/2/1860/283).
On 31 September 1860, J. Vincent, Police Trooper, Port Augusta, SA wrote to Hamilton: 'I have the honor to state that by this Mail, I have, according to instructions Red [received] from Major Warburton, forwarded a collection of Flowers, obtained by ourselves and some from Mr Taylor of Woolundunga who has kindly promised to obtain other varieties, not now in bloom, and send them to this Station' (GRG 5/2/1047/1860).