To William Hooker   22 January 1855

Buchan River, 22 Jan. 55.

Sir William

Since I had the honor of addressing you the last time from Omeo,¹ I proceeded to the North-western branches of the Australian Alps, where I ascended all the most prominent heights, including Mt Koskiusko.² I found the distribution of the alpine plants during this excursion to be more general as I anticipated, but had the pleasure of observing many species here at first in a sufficiently developed state, to form of them a correct idea. Of most of the new species I procured a good supply, which I had however a great difficulty to keep dry against fog and afterwards in the lower ranges against rain. Seeds were yet in only a few instances ripened. Preparing to revisit now the Cabbage-tree-country beyond the Snowy River, which I had on account of many unforseen adversities, the hostility of the natives and the unfavourable weather, but little opportunity to explore last year, — I shall only be enabled to allude briefly to the more interesting plants from the Alps, which I lately discovered. —

One of the most remarkable amongst them is assuredly a large-flowering Ranunculus, with generally numerous and always white petals, having much the habit of an Anemone. It grows very seldom below 6000', and chiefly on springs and on the margin of smelting snow. 5 Umbelliferae, belonging to as many distinct genera are consociated with it, as also a dwarf inconspicuous Composite with leaves much like Oreobolus, a slender procumbent Pentachondra?, a monostachyous Carex, a rooting Gnaphalium, a very distinct Plantago and a smooth Craspedia (C. leucantha) with white flowers and broad-sphacelate scales. At the heighest mountains on stony ground I was not a little struck with a diandrous plant allied to Veronica, having the leaves densely crowded in four rows. Accompanied it was with a small hispid Haplopappus, and with a mosslike-tufted Arenaria?

The ranunculaceous alisma-like³ plant with inward bend leaves, to which I previously referred, is about the [Munyang] Mountains frequent enough⁴ and after having seen in it in a more advanced state I am much inclined to refer it to Caltha.⁵ I am however entirely deprived of books during the expeditions, so as to settle these questions at once.

Singularly enough Carex stellulata fell into my hands abundantly in some parts of the Alps, occuring like Alchemilla vulgaris and Veronica serpillifolia⁶ here never in the low-land. Lycopodium varium, which appears hardly to be distinct from L. Selago, and Botrychium Lunaria belong also to the higher country. But one of the most interesting additions to our alp-flora forms undoubtedly a little annual Euphrasia, erect, yet seldom above 2" high. — Orites, the species from Mt Hotham,⁷ I saw ranging for miles along with a fine ovate-leaved lepidote Eriostemon or Phebalium. It has always entire leaves and I may therefore consider it as a new species (Orites planifolia).⁸ — Coprosma nitida is not rare in the Snowy Mountains and two herbaceous plants, appearently new, of the same family were also discovered in the lower country together with a second spec of Solenogyne (S. pubescens);⁹ a Velleya, which in Stuarts herbar I called V. exigua,¹⁰ a Rutidosis, I suppose R. helichrysoides, Scirpus Rothii, (S. triqueter, R. Br) and a very distinct glandulous Calotis. Two interesting mosses are growing on rocks, which are constantly washed by the smelting snow, one of them adding the genus Andraea to the flora of New Holland.

After having traversed now the main chains of the snowy mountains in so many directions, I am led to believe, that the plants mentioned in this and the two previous letters together with those noticed in my reports comprehend almost completely the Alps-flora of this continent. I wandered for days over the snowy hills without being able of adding a single species to the collections. I should be delighted, Sir William, in finding after my return Dr Hookers flora of N. Zeel. and what may be printed of the Flora Tasmanica,¹¹ arrived by your orders so that I can draw a comparison in the botanical features of the Australian highlands.

In case the weather continues long enough dry I may have an opportunity after my return from the Cabbagetree-country to proceed to the sources of the Yarra or of the LaTrobe River, as the al[most]¹² impenetrable scrub along its banks may conceal yet many a botanical novelty or rarety.

I need hardly say, that my remittances for books, which you, Sir William, might obligedly order for me, will be at all times prompt and regular.

I remain, Sir william,

With my ardent wishes for your welfare

your most devoted Servant

Ferd. Mueller.

Sir W. J. Hooker, K.H. &c &c &c

Alchemilla vulgaris

Andraea

Anemone

Arenaria

Botrychium Lunaria

Calotis

Caltha

Carex

Carex stellulata

Coprosma nitida

Craspedia leucantha

Eriostemon

Euphrasia

Gnaphalium

Haplopappus

Lycopodium Selago

Lycopodium varium

Oreobolus

Orites

Orites planifolia

Pentachondra

Phebalium

Plantago

Ranunculus

Rutidosis helichrysoides

Scirpus Rothii

Scirpus triqueter

Solenogyne pubescens

Umbelliferae

Velleya exigua

Veronica

Veronica serpillifolia