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Q60/10078, unit 748, VPRS 1189/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 60.11.02Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to William Nicholson, 1860-11-02. 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/1860-9/1860/60-11-02-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
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MS written by Carl Wilhelmi and signed by M.
2 October 1860.
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This letter is dated 2 October 1860 but November was clearly intended. The report
was registered on 5 November and reports activities during October.
Sir
I have the honor of submitting the report on the progress of work in this establishment
during the month of October 1860.
The ordinary Garden operations of the season have been continued, especially the borders
edges and walkes cleared of weeds, so that under the favor of various rainshowers
during the past month the ground and its plantations exhibit a very neat appearance.
Thirtyseven painted labels have been added to those already in the Garden.
The lagoon walk in the Northern ground is under progress of formation; as covering
material for it quarry-rubble being selected. The lawn-grass have been mown to preserve
an equal turf.
The avenue trees, of which now a considerable number are established in our garden
received due attention.
Two sheets of the work on the "plants of Victoria"
have been elaborated and printed during the month and several additional plates been
prepared for its illustration.
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B63.03.03.
Mr Dallachy is engaged to examine the vegetation on the western boundaries of Victoria,
especially near Lake Hindmarsh, to which locality the botanical survey has not been
previously extended. The plants brought by myself from the Eastern boundaries of Gippsland
have been examined.
By the "Lincolnshire" an other consignment for the zoological Department arrived from
E. Wilson Esqr., consisting of 18 tench, 3 minnows and 2 doce,
which have been placed into the artificial fish pond of our northern Ground. 4 Starlings
arrived by the same ship. By the "Lightning" some British Glow-worms reached us also
in safety, these insects being introduced likewise by Mr Wilson; whilst they are interesting
and ornamental on account of their nightly phosphorescence, they may prove useful
as enemies of the aphis.
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dace?
The English and Silver pheasants have produced eggs, which are placed for incubation
under Bantam hens. Some Chinese Geese have been reared.
A consignment of Algae has been transmitted to Professor Harvey of Dublin. The contributions
and distributions to and from this establishment during the last month have been manyfold,
comprise however none of prominent importance.
I have the honor to be
Sir
your most obedient & humble servant
Ferd. Mueller.
The Honorable the Chief Secretary
&c &c &c
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MS file annotation by the Under Secretary, J. Moore, 6 November 1860: 'Read'.