Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot. & zool. Garden

23. May 1860.

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, dated 18. May 1860,

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Letter not found.

requesting me to render all aid in my power to effect the safe transshipment of the Salmon-ova or fry, when arrived at Hobsons Bay.

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Melbourne.

In reply I have the honor of laying before you a brief statement of the arrangements hitherto made by me in anticipation of the arrival of the fish, & I need scarcely add, that I shall not leave anything undone, when the cargo arrives, in securing as far as I can its safety & secure transport.

On the banks of the Yarra beyond Collinwood

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Collingwood, Melbourne.

16 large casks containing about 2000 gallons of water are kept since the last fourth night constantly refilled with fresh water, which is filtered through flannel for keeping organic lifeless or larger bodies or impureties out, whilst the animalculae are retained. A coalfiltre is also kept ready, should it be found preferable, whilst the fish is yet nourished by the vitellum, to secure the still greater purity of water on sacrificing the animalculae.

I ordered moreover a cask of fresh mountain spring water from the Dandenong ranges, in case a small quantity of such water would be sufficient & preferable & the supply of this water can be kept up by keeping a cart going whilst the "S.Curling" is retaining the fish at Hobsons Bay.

No ice being at present obtaining at Melbourne, & still its application even at this season being considered as of the greatest importance, I have been reluctantly obliged to incur the expense of ordering a ton at the price of 2d pr lb from Adelaide, the supply being expected to arrive at the end of this week. No smaller could be given at this season. Mr Harrisons apparatus having been finished at Melbourne this day,

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James Harrison was in the process of moving the ice-manufacturing plant he had invented from Geelong to Melbourne [ADB].

I have, — to secure the earliest supply —, also ordered a ton to be prepared, which I am promised to get any time eight hours after having been ordered. I hope to be in the position to have this ice available in the course of to morrow. A small frame has been constructed for the reception of such salmon eggs or fry, as may appear, whilst still possessing vitality when arriving here, not likely to endure the voyage to Tasmania & the question arises, whether it would not be wise to retain a small quantity of healthy salmon eggs or fry, in order to guard against the total accidental loss of them on the way to Hobarton.

I beg further to bring under your Honors notice, that I have engaged the services of Mr Ramsbottom at a rate of 12/ pr diem during the time that the fish will require his attendance in port Phillip or whilst I avail myself of his assistance in prearranging for their transmission.

Whilst I trust, that these arrangements will meet with your Honors approval, I cannot refrain from recommending to your favorable consideration, that a sum might be provided to defray such expenses as are already incurred or will be expended hereafter, in bringing this enterprise, which has involved in Europe already the expenditure of a large sum, here to a successful issue.

It is well possible, that some of the prearrangements may be found hereafter quite superfluous, yet whilst instituting them I have never exceeded what in my humble judgement was requisite.

I have finally to report to your Honor, that I shall enjoy after the arrival of the fish the valuable assistance of Prof. MacCoy and Dr MacGillivray for future operations.

The honorable the Chief Secretary.

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Approval for M's request was minuted on this letter, 28 May 1860.