The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ The ¶ Norfolk ¶ has reached us with the Salmon eggs; some are dead, others show some vitality. If we can only make some hundreds of them hatch, we shall establish this remarkable fish in Australi...

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64.04.00b

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Ferdinand von Mueller to Prospero Ramel, 1864-04 [64.04.00b]. 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/1860-9/1864/64-04-00b-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from Bulletin de la Société Impériale Zoologique d'Acclimatation, Series 2, vol 1 (1864), p. 442 (B64.07.01). The extract is one of several in a report by Prosepro Ramel on the shipment of salmon ova to Australia, and is introduced: 'Extrait d'une lettre de M. Mueller sur le même sujet' [Extract from a letter from Mr Mueller on the same subject]. The letter is dated to April 1864 since that is when the salmon ova reached Melbourne; see Argus, 18 April 1864, p. 5. It was no doubt written in English and translated into French by Ramel for his report.

Le Norfolk nous est arrivé avec les oeufs de Saumon; quelques-uns sont morts, d'autres accusent de la vitalité. Si seulement nous pouvons en faire éclore quelques centaines, nous établissons en Australie ce remarquable poisson.

C'est mon opinion qu'ils étaient emballés trop serrés, qu'ils manquaient d'air, surtout les boîtes qui étaient au fond dans la chambre à glace. Du reste la glace les conserve très-bien. D'une importance capitale, cet essai ne peut que motiver de nouveaux envois. Il faut surtout éviter d'expédier des oeufs qui auraient en commencement d'incubation.

The Norfolk has reached us with the Salmon eggs; some are dead, others show some vitality. If we can only make some hundreds of them hatch, we shall establish this remarkable fish in Australia.

In my opinion they were packed too dry and lacked air, especially the boxes that were at the bottom in the ice chamber. The ice kept the remainder very well. Of capital importance, this attempt can only motivate new sendings. It is necessary above all to avoid sending eggs at the commencement of incubation.