The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ [Baron von Mueller, to whom Mr. Riley forwarded specimens of the plant, at once pronounced the "sun-dew" to be the sole cause of the strange mortality amongst the cattle in that district, adding th...

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83.09.00e

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to James Riley, 1883-09 [83.09.00e]. 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/1880-9/1883/83-09-00e-final.odt>, accessed June 19, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from Weekly times (Melbourne), 29 September 1883, Supplement to the Farmers Gazette, p. 3, col. b. The extract is introduced by

'Relative to the mysterious mortality amongst the stock depasturing on the State forest at the You Yangs near Lara; a few particulars of which appeared in our issue of the 15th instant, we instructed our local correspondent to inquire fully into the matter and to at once acquaint us as to any new developments. During the week we have gleaned that the District Inspector of Stock, Mr. Riley, visited the locality, and happening to find an animal in the last stage of the disease, the sufferer was destroyed and a thorough post-mortem examination made. The stomach, it appears, was packed with the well-known "sun-dew "or "fly-catcher," a plant particularly indigenous to poor soils.'

[Baron von Mueller, to whom Mr. Riley forwarded specimens of the plant, at once pronounced the "sun-dew" to be the sole cause of the strange mortality amongst the cattle in that district, adding that the "sun-dew" is one of the most powerful blisters known, and when eaten by stock in quantities, inflames the coating of the stomach to such a degree as to result in the animal's death.]

The article continued: 'The statement of Baron von Mueller was fully borne out by the state of the intestines of the animal examined by Mr. Riley. The stomach, heart, and lungs were highly inflamed, presenting, in fact, an almost parboiled appearance. There is now no doubt but this plant is responsible for the serious losses suffered by the farmers in that district; and, moreover, some difficulty will be experienced in grappling with the evil, as the "sun -dew" abounds in many of the sheltered and secluded gullies in the You Yangs.'

M had previously made similar reports that the Drosera from the You Yangs contained a poison, for example in M to Shire Council of Corio, August 1874 (in this edition as 87-08-00c). In response to the1883 incident, Riley sent an 1874 report; see M to E. Curr, 9 August 1874 (in this edition as 74-08-09b) and notes thereto.