The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ [Letters were read ... 5. To Baron von Mueller, advising him that specimens of water had been sent, and asking him to examine them with a view of eliciting an opinion as to whether tthe aqueous veg...

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85.09.00d

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the Deniliquin Council to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1885-09 [85.09.00d]. 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/1880-9/1885/85-09-00d-final.odt>, accessed June 17, 2026

Letter not found. For the text given here, see 'Correspondence', in the report of the meeting of the Deniliquin Council held on 14 September 1885, Pastoral times (Deniliquin, NSW), 19 September 1885, p. 4. A report in the previous issue of the paper ( Pastoral times , 12 September 1885, p. 2) provides more details:

Aqueous Vegetation.— During the last and preceding season some discussion has taken place respecting the advisability or otherwise of removing the aqueous vegetation which rises to the surface of the local lagoons at certain periods of the year. Opinions have been divided as to the necessity of such a proceeding. By some it is held that the vegetation is not detrimental to the health of those residing in the vicinity of the lagoons, and others aver tthat it is. At times, when the vegetable matter is decomposing the smell is not particularly attractive; and the Council has decided to obtain an expert opinion on the point. Some years ago the matter was skimmed off the lagoon; and by some residents it is held that the same practice should be followed every year. At the instance of the Mayor three samples of water from the lagoon have been taken. One was taken from a spot where the aqueous weeds are in greatest abundance, the second is from where they do not thrive in such luxuriance, and the third is from a place where there are no weeds at all. When the weeds are plentiful the water is perfectly clear and colourless; where they are not so plentiful the water is slightly cloudy; and where there are no weeds at all the water is of a decidedly milky hue. It is proposed to ask Baron Von Mueller for an opinion on the subject.

[Letters were read ... 5. To Baron von Mueller, advising him that specimens of water had been sent, and asking him to examine them with a view of eliciting an opinion as to whether tthe aqueous vegetation on the local lagoons was deleterious to public health or not, and whether it was advisable to skim it off later in the season when decomposition commences.]

For M's reply, see M to A. Jameson, October 1885 (in this edition as 85-10-00f).