To John Foster   5 September 1853

Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

5th September 1853.

Report of the Government Botanist.

Sir

In obedience to his Excellency's command¹ I have the honor to transmit to you my general Report, partly compiled from those documents which I forwarded on several occasions during my journey, from February until June last, and partly resting on the subsequent examination of the specimens which I brought home.

Before I enter into any details on the classification of our indigenous vegetable world, on its relation in comparison with the plants of the adjacent countries and on the practical uses, to which we might possibly apply many of its productions, it may be considered necessary to delineate the route, which I pursued during my last expedition.

I proceeded, at first, with deviations from the usual road, wherever it appeared favourable for my pursuits, to Futters range, which rears, like some other granitic mountains in its vicinity, a host of very peculiar plants. Thence I directed my course to May Day Hills, from which place I advanced after a brief stay to the Buffalo ranges, where I adscended Mount Aberdeen and another peak more than 4000' high, and examined the rich almost tropical vegetation, which borders the rivers, rising in these mountains. It was in this locality, that our exertions were rewarded with the discovery of the high majestic Grevillea Victoriae and other rarities. Indications of gold have been observed here as well as in some parts of Gipps' Land, which I subsequently visited. The Superintendent of the Melbourne botanic Gardens, who was engaged during this part of the journey in collecting seeds here parted from me, being obliged to return homeward, to resume his duties at the Botanic Gardens.

As Mount Aberdeen hardly offered any plant of a true Alpine character, I resolved to adscend Mount Buller, whose summits at an elevation of more than 5000' are covered throughout the greatest part of the year with snow.

Travelling quite alone since leaving the Buffalo ranges the ascent was accomplished not without considerable danger; but I was delighted to observe here, for the first time, this continents alpine vegetation, which in some degree presented itself as analogous with the Alpine Flora of Tasmania (Ranunculus Gunnianus, Euryomyrtus alpina, Celmisia astelifolia, Gentiana Diemensis, Podocarpus montana, Trisetum antarcticum) and which was also by no means destitute of its own peculiar species (Phebalium podocarpoides, Goodenia cordifolia, Hovea gelida, Oxylobium alpestre, Brachycome nivalis, Anisotome glacialis &c)

Remarkably enough only one of these exhibits any similarity to the singular subalpine forms discovered on the Australian Grampians by Sir Thomas Mitchell. Mount Buller had never before been scientifically explored and Mount Aberdeen, up to this time, had even not been ascended.

After some other less elevated mountains in the neighbourhood had been also botanically examined, I resumed my journey along the Goulbourne river and some of its tributaries to the King-Parrots Creek, where I crossed the Yarra ranges.

The unusually heavy rainfall in the auctumn would have frustrated any attempt, to reach as I then contemplated the alpine mountains of Gipps' land and I considered it therefore more advisable at the already advanced season, to devote my time rather to the examination of the maritime plants, which are in an almost equal state of development throughout the year.

I went, accordingly, for some distance along the La Trobe river to the South-eastern coast of Gipps land, passing some rich ravines, luxuriantly filled with two species of fern-trees, Alsophila Australis and Dicksonia antarctica; the former of which seemingly never accompanies the Dicksonia far inland, but remains in those vallies which slope towards the sea. Notwithstanding these geographical limits, the Alsophila, occupying generally the drier localities on the hills recommends itself better for transplanting.

After several weeks travelling in the neighbourhood of Port Albert and many excursions through Wilsons promontory, I quitted Gipps Land, returning homeward along the coast.

This journey, the lines of which extended over more than 1500 miles, enriched my collections formed during the spring, so far, that they comprise probably now more than half the indigenous vegetation of this colony. For, according to the Index which I have annexed, including also several plants, discovered previously by Sir Th. Mitchell and by his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, there are known to me now already 715 species of Dicotyledoneae, belonging to 286 genera and 83 natural orders; 201 species of Monocotyledoneae, comprehending 100 genera and 21 natural orders and 47 ferns, containing 27 genera. About 50 other species, however, which I have not included in this general account, are not yet so exactly examined, as to receive their true systematic position, and are consequently not enumerated in the list, while 50 others not indigenous, but introduced species (marked with *) are likewise not taken into account, although they are not only naturalized beyond the possibility of extirpation, but even overpower the more tender indigenous plants.

I regret, that I was also obliged to omit from this Index all the lower Acotyledoneae (Mosses, Lichenastra, Lichens, Algae, Fungi) to the amount of at least 200 species, of which I could examine this winter too few to display them in a systematic arrangement. The full amount of species therefore considerably exceeds 1100, belonging with exclusion of the above mentioned Acotyledoneae and the foreign plants to no less than 430 genera and 108 natural orders, proportions which far surpass those of Western Australia, where more than twice this number of species (according to the collections of Dr. Preiss) are only divided into exactly the same number of genera already discovered here (430) and only into 91 families.

The Index might have been increased without difficulty to a twofold number of names; but through a long continued examination of the Australian plants in a living state I had the advantage of learning how great the incertainty of many characteristics, which are deemed even by our greatest autorities in science sufficient for distinction.

According to the annexed enumeration, the proportion of the Dicotyledoneae to the Monocotyledoneae will be found for that part of the country, over which my investigations this year extended, nearly as 7:2, and corresponds, therefore, exactly with the positions, which these great divisions of the vegetable kingdom hold to each other in South Australia up to the 34° S.L. (as shown in my observations on the South Australian Flora, lately read before the Linnean Society in London)² and holds likewise the mean between the proportions ascertained by Robert Brown for Van Diemens Land and New South Wales, while in Western Australia, as well as in South Australia, including the country there to the 31° S.L. the number of the Dicotyledoneae exceeds in the proportion of 9:2 that of the Monocotyledoneae. The cryptogamic plants however, favoured by a more humid atmosphere, are twice as numerous in our province as in the last mentioned colonies, being about equal to a third of the Dicotyledoneae.

Excluding all cryptogamic plants, not less than 200 species, as testified by the Index are proved to be as yet undescribed. Some of these occurred to me in South Australia and descriptions of several others will probably find a place in Dr. J. Hookers forthcoming Flora of Van Diemens Land.³ These novelties enabled me already to establish 7 new genera (Pseudomorus, Basileophyta, Phaeoleuca, Tetrachaeta, Minuranthus, Psoraleopsis and Rhytidosporum).⁴ The descriptions not only of allmost all the new plants but also critical notes and observations on the phytogeographical range of the species already known, will be forwarded to Sir William Hooker before my departure for the interior and will afterwards constitute together with the scientific elucidations of such plants, as may be added during the ensuing season from the yet botanically unexplored districts, the foundation of "the Flora of Victoria."

That the vegetation of the southern parts of our province accords greatly with the Tasmanian Flora may be demonstrated by the fact, that more then half of all the enumerated species are known to inhabit Van Diemens Land, amongst them many of great interest, which had been considered as belonging exclusively to that island, some even adding new genera to the Flora of New Holland (Fagus Cunninghami, Bauera Billardierii, Tasmania⁵ aromatica, Weinmannia biglandulosa, Pleurandra monadelpha, Ranunculus Gunnianus, Capsella Australis, Pittosporum bicolor, Rhytidosporum procumbens, Rhytidosporum Stuartianum, Boronia dentigera, Eriostemon verrucosus, Corraea Backhousiana, Meionectes Brownii, Bossiaea horizontalis, Brachycome decipiens, Celmisia astelifolia, Scaevola Hookeri, Monotoca lineata, Lissanthe montana, Lissanthe ciliata, Prostanthera rotundifolia, Prostanthera rotundifolia, Myosotis suaveolens, Wilsonia Backhousii, Gentiana Diemensis Sebaea albidiflora, Hakea microcarpa, Podocarpus montana, Phyllanthus Gunnii, Micranthea hexandra, Diplarrhena Moraea, Uncinia tenella, Triodontium Tasmanicum and a great number of ferns.

No numerical comparison with the Flora of South Australia and New South Wales has been instituted, as those localities are not sufficiently examined, which bear, perhaps, in this respect as great a resemblance to the adjacent colonies as the Southern tract of this province bears to Van Diemens land.

Still there remains yet a considerable number of plants, which impress on our vegetation a type of peculiarity; and I may be permitted for this reason to call attention to our remarkable species of Panax, resembling mainly those of the Molluccas, to Trigonella suavissima as the only Australian clover, to the species of Psoralea and Crantzia as connecting links with the American Flora; to Pseudomorus Australasica, the indigenous Mulberry tree; to Myrsine Howittiana, nearer connected with the New Zealand species than with those of New South Wales and to the Alpine Anisotome glacialis, as a genus from Aukland⁶ and Campbells Islands.

With regard to the Phytogeographia of this country, it may be deemed worthy of notice that, in the arid steppes beyond the Glenelg River the vegetation undergoes a remarkable change, and a large number of such plants as are common to Victoria, New South Wales and Van Diemens Land, cease to exist, not even reappearing farther to the westward, where the physical character of the country assumes once more equality or similarity to the eastern provinces. Others again extend the geographical limits of certain genera or species, which we thought to belong entirely to Western Australia: thus, for instance, Thomasia petalocalyx and Coleostylis Preissii range to the 148 meridian.

It may also be worthy of remark, that the order of Leguminosae prevails decidedly here, as in Western Australia, over all others; and that the Compositae, far exceeding in South Australia and almost throughout the world any other groups rank here as the second order. Both, taken together show such eminent richness as to comprise nearly a fourth of all dicotyledonar plants. The most predominant natural orders exhibit here with regard to their number of species the following series: — Leguminosae, Compositae, Myrtaceae, Algae, Filices, Cyperoideae, Gramineae, Musci, Proteaceae, Orchideae, Epacrideae, Fungi, Umbelliferae, Diosmeae, Liliaceae, Lichenes, Labiatae, Goodeniaceae, Scrophularinae, and Salsolaceae.

Finally and perhaps as to the most important point of my researches, I have to reflect upon the practical usefulness of our vegetable creation, either with regard to medicine, manufactures or in a domestic point of view.

The inestimable truth, that we may safely deduct the closest affinities of the medicinal properties of plants from their natural alliances — a truth which achieved the most complete triumph of the natural system over all artificial classification — has generally guided me in tracing out, which plants might be administered in medicine. By this guidance I observed, that our Pimeleae are pervaded by that acridity, for which the bark of Daphne Mezereum is employed; that our Polygala veronicea, the only described Australian species of a large genus and in close relation to one lately discovered in the Chinese empire, not only agrees, like some kinds of Comesperma with the Austrian Polygala amara in those qualities, for which that plant has been administered in consumption, but also participates in the medical virtue of Polygala Senega from North America Gratiola latifolia and Gratiola pubescens, Convolvulus erubescens and the various kinds of Mentha are not inferior to similar European species. The bark of Tasmania⁷ aromatica appears to me to possess the medicinal power of the Wintera bark, gathered from a similar tree in Tierra del Fuego, and its fruit is allied to that of the North American Magnoliae used in cases of rheumatism and intermittent fever. The whole natural order of Goodeniaceae, with the exception perhaps of a few species, contains a tonic bitterness never recognized before, and discernible in many plants in so high a degree, that I was induced for this reason, to bestow upon a new genus from the interior the name of Picrophyta; this property, which indicates a certain alliance to Gentianeae deserves the more consideration, as the true Gentianeae are so sparingly distributed through Australia, while the Goodeniaceae form everywhere here a prominent feature in the vegetation. Our alps, however, enrich us also with a thickrooted Gentian (G. Diemensis), certainly as valuable as the officinal G. lutea; and in the spring Sebaea ovata, Sebaea albidiflora and Erythraea Australis might also be collected on account of their bitterness. The bark of the Australian Sassafras tree (Atherosperma moschatum) has obtained already some celebrity as a substitute for tea;— administered in a greater concentration it is diaphoretic as well as diuretic and has for this reason already been practically introduced into medicine by one of our eminent physicians.⁸ Isotoma axillaris surpasses all other indigenous Lobeliaceae in its intense acridity and can be therefore only cautiously employed instead of Lobelia inflata. The root of Malva Behriana scarcely differs from that of Althaea officinalis, and the Salep root might be collected from many Orchideae. Few may be aware, that the Cajuput oil of India is obtained from trees very similar to our common Melaleucae, and that even from the leaves of the Eucalypti an oil can be procured of equal utility. The Sandarac, exuding from the Callitris or Pine trees the balsamic resin of the Grass trees and moreover the Eucalyptus gum, which could be gathered in boundless quantities and which for its adstringent qualities might here at least supersede the use of Kino or Catechu, will probably at a future period form articles of export.

Several Acaciae are of essential service, either for their durable wood or for their abundance of tannin in their bark, which has rendered them already useful, or for their gum; but the latter is even excelled in clearness and solubility by that obtained from Pittosporum acacioides. This plant as well as many other species of the same order is distinguished by a surprising yet apparently harmless bitterness — a quality, that warrants our expecting considerable medicinal power, and which deserves so much more attention, as till now we know nothing of the usefulness of the Pittosporeae, although this order extends over a great part of the eastern hemisphere.

The Australian Manna consists in a saccharine secretion, condensed chiefly by the cicades from a few species of Eucalypti, but is chemically very differently constituted to the Ornus Manna and much less aperient. All our splendid Diosmeae — a real ornament to the country — approach more or less in their medicinal effect to the South African Bucco-bushes.

Baeckea utilis, from Mount Aberdeen, might serve travellers in those desolate localities as tea, for the volatile oil of its leaves resembles greatly in taste and odour that of lemons — not without a pleasant peculiar aroma. Trigonella suavissima proved valuable as an antiscorbutic spinage in Sir Thomas Mitchell's expedition; and the Tetragonella implexicoma, the various Cardamines, Nasturtium terrestre and Lawrencia spicata may likewise be used for the same purpose. The root of Scorzonera Lawrencii — a favourite food of the natives, would form if enlarged by culture an agreable substitute for Scorzonera Hispanica or Asparagus, and Anistome glacialis — a large rooted umbelliferous plant from the snowy top of Mount Buller — will be added perhaps hereafter to the culinary vegetables of the colder climats. Seeds of the latter plants, amongst many others, have been procured for the botanic gardens. Santalum lanceolatum, Mesembryanthemum aequilaterale, Leptomeria pungens and Leptomeria acerba deserve notice for their agreable fruits.

It would lead too far to enumerate the numerous modest but lovely or even the more attractive ornamental plants, which will no doubt hereafter contribute to adorn the gardens here and at home. Still in a general sketch of our vegetation, I ought not to pass unmentioned in this regard the magnificent Grevillea Victoriae; the splendid parasite of the ferntrees Basileophyta Friderici Augusti, on which the name of the royal botanist has been bestowed,⁹ and the grand Corraea Latrobeana, — three of the most gorgeous plants discovered during my last expedition.

In accordance with his Excellencys instructions, a collection of dried specimens of plants has been commenced for the Government. This Herbarium will be at all times accessible to the public and will hereafter contribute, I trust, to diffuse, more and more, knowledge of our vegetable world, and excite lovers of natural science to assist in my investigations. I began to form, at the same time, a similar collection for the royal gardens at Kew

I am happy to report, that the Botanic gardens are in a very prosperous state and that the establishment does great honor to the able management of its Superintendent. The addition of a large greenhouse,¹⁰ which his Excellency has been pleased to sanction, upon the recommendation of the Committee will be most useful as a receptacle for tropical productions;¹¹ and a considerable piece of ground has been prepared, this year, to rear all the seeds which have lately been collected for the garden or which were liberally presented.

The Committee deemed it also desirable that a Ironfoot bridge¹² for crossing the Yarra should be procured from home to afford an easier access to the garden for the inhabitants of the eastern part of Melbourne; and by this means the number of visitors, already (chiefly on Sundays) very considerable will doubtless greatly increase.

I trust, therefore, that the Botanic Gardens as an establishment so desirable for diffusion of knowledge, for the experimental introduction of foreign plants into our adopted country or for multiplying the treasures, which our own Flora offers and as a healthy locality for recreation, will continue to receive the support of the Government and Legislature, and I hope, that by still further extending the communications from this establishment with the Botanical Gardens of other countries, we shall succeed in keeping pace with the general advance of this great & flourishing country.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your most obedient and humble servant

Dr. Ferdinand Mueller,

Government Botanist.

The Honorable the Colonial Secretary.¹³

Acacia

Acotyledoneae

Algae

Alsophila Australis

Althaea officinalis

Anistome glacialis

Asparagus

Atherosperma moschatum

Baeckea utilis

Basileophyta Friderici Augusti

Bauera Billardierii

Boronia dentigera

Bossiaea horizontalis

Brachycome decipiens

Brachycome nivalis

Callitris

Capsella Australis

Cardamine

Celmisia astelifolia

Coleostylis Preissii

Comesperma

Compositae

Convolvulus erubescens

Corraea Backhousiana

Corraea Latrobeana

Crantzia

Cyperoideae

Daphne Mezereum

Dicksonia antarctica

Dicotyledoneae

Diosmeae

Diplarrhena Moraea

Epacrideae

Eriostemon verrucosus

Erythraea Australis

Eucalyptus

Euryomyrtus alpina

Fagus Cunninghami

Filices

Fungi

Gentiana Diemensis

Gentiana lutea

Gentianeae

Goodenia cordifolia

Goodeniaceae

Gramineae

Gratiola latifolia

Gratiola pubescens

Grevillea Victoriae

Hakea microcarpa

Hovea gelida

Isotoma axillaris

Labiatae

Lawrencia spicata

Leguminosae

Leptomeria acerba

Leptomeria pungens

Lichenes

Liliaceae

Lissanthe ciliata

Lissanthe montana

Lobelia inflata

Lobeliaceae

Magnoliae

Malva Behriana

Meionectes Brownii

Melaleucae

Mentha

Mesembryanthemum aequilaterale

Micranthea hexandra

Minuranthus

Monocotyledoneae

Monotoca lineata

Musci

Myosotis suaveolens

Myrsine Howittiana

Myrtaceae

Nasturtium terrestre

Orchideae

Oxylobium alpestre

Panax

Phaeoleuca

Phebalium podocarpoides

Phyllanthus Gunnii

Picrophyta

Pimeleae

Pittosporeae

Pittosporum acacioides

Pittosporum bicolor

Pleurandra monadelpha

Podocarpus montana

Polygala amara

Polygala Senega

Polygala veronicea

Prostanthera rotundifolia

Proteaceae

Pseudomorus

Pseudomorus Australasica

Psoralea

Psoraleopsis

Ranunculus Gunnianus

Rhytidosporum

Rhytidosporum procumbens

Rhytidosporum Stuartianum

Salsolaceae

Santalum lanceolatum

Scaevola Hookeri

Scorzonera Hispanica

Scorzonera Lawrencii

Scrophularinae

Sebaea albidiflora

Sebaea ovata

Tasmania aromatica

Tetrachaeta

Tetragonella implexicoma

Thomasia petalocalyx

Trigonella suavissima

Triodontium Tasmanicum

Trisetum antarcticum

Umbelliferae

Uncinia tenella

Weinmannia biglandulosa

Wilsonia Backhousii

Wintera