Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS found with a specimen of Richea sp. (MEL 2186047).

Circular Head

2

Tas.

8 May 1875

Dear Baron

On Sunday last, I returned from my expedition, after an absence of 14 days —

I was advised to proceed to Mount Ramsay

3

All places named are in the north-eastern part of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania.

first, as it is believed to be the highest point of the three Mountains — I got to the top of the former, at 3 oclock on the afternoon of the 27., but with the exception of thousands of specimens of Richea P.

4

Probably an abbreviation for the species Richea pandanifolia as AVH has no record of Emmett collecting the other possible species, R. procera.

very straight and tall, their habitat being confined to the last 500 feet — I saw nothing fresh — I send you a few specimens obtained thereat; Mount Ramsay I consider to be over 4000 feet and from its summit I had an extensive and glorious sight of the Eldon Range & many scores of other Mountains, snow began to fall, and continued to do so for several days covering all the country deeply with snow — the season was too late by two months, everything seemed destitute of seeds. On the 29 I ascended Mount Bischoff 19 miles further North, and found nothing but burnt bauera & naked blackened rock with 7 inches of snow on the SW side, which is covered by dense horyzontal

5

horizontal?

scrub — so thick as to exclude the daylight its height is said to be 3014 feet. St. Valentines Peak 3½ miles from Chiltern Surrey Hills had been frequently burnt and nothing was to be seen but dead bauera — Knoll Plains at the foot of Mount Ramsay about 3000 feet elevation would appear to be the best field for botany, but all flowers and seeds had dropped off. — My walk extended over 235 miles, which I accomplished in 11 days — I intend to go again in the summer, say December when I hope to have more success — If you could also come over in the Argyle, I would accompany you to Mount Ramsay free of cost — it is the only place where anything fresh could be procured being a a

6

a repeated in going from one page to the next.

virgin forest free from fires — It is in contemplation to open a track from thence to the Pieman river S.W. coast and I have tendered my services to the Government to open one direct from this, so as to strike the centre of the Granite country which is considered to occupy the whole space — I should thus have an opportunity of getting upon fresh ground. — It is 105 miles from this to the summit of Mount Ramsay.

I send by the Argyle the few specimens that I was enabled to procure — Mr Harman informed me that he saw another tree similar to the one cut down about 1 to 1½ miles further on, where you and I went

7

In January and February 1875, during M's visit to Stanley, Tas and surrounding area. M arrived at Circular Head from Melbourne 28 January and 'left on the following day with Emmett, proceeding along the South Road for the Hellyer River (Launceston examiner (Tas), 4 February 1875, p. 2). In M to R. Ramsay, 6 February 1875, M reported his return to Melbourne that day. For notes on the itinerary, see Emmett's letter to the editor dated 6 February, Launceston examiner, 18 February 1875, p. 3.

Specimens forwarded to agents of the Argyle Melbourne.