To William Nicholson1    3 May 1860

Melbourne botanic & Zoolog. Garden

3 May 1860.

Sir

I have the honor of submitting to you a brief account of the labours in this establishment during the month of April 1860.

Availing ourelfes2 of the early autumnal rains, we transferred several thousand rare plants from the nurseries to the flower borders, made extensive sowings of summerplants and commenced renewing the edgings of the flower borders, which were either worn out or parched by the excessive heat of the last summer. Advantage was also taken of the early rains in laying many parts of the reserve out in rye grass and clover, the same means being adopted for restoring in due time the much-trodden lawns to their verdure. Rows of trees are planted along two of the main walkes of the Northern Grounds, spreading poplars & Blue Gum-trees being chosen for the purpose, and these are secured by handsome tree guards against the animals pasturing in that part of the Garden.

All preparations for planting avenue between Princesbridge and the Garden are completed. The iron fences, which will in future separate the botanic Garden from the southern zoological reserves are now nearly completed and have aforded the means of doubling the extent of our nursery ground, thereby enabling us to meet next year the increasing demand of public institutions on plants from this garden.

The Mauritius pond fish have unfortunately died on the passage to Melbourne. The same fate was shared by the Gold-fishes, transmitted by Mr Edward Wilson; also a great loss was experienced during the voyage and shortly after their arrival amongst the singing birds, procured by the same zealous Gentleman and shipped per "Maidstone". The birds having had for the greater part not well constructed cages and not sufficient cleanliness, arrived here partially almost featherless and infested with insects, thus the survivors being not even able to endure the weather of this season at our aviary, for which reason they will be kept in our palm-house til they have obtained their plumage again.

A letter from the Hon. the Chief Secretary of Capetown intimates, that an officer of Port Natal is entrusted with the task of selecting there the antelopes and other animals for our menagerie.3 The Hon. the Chief Secretary of Tasmania has desired me, to tranship the 30,000 ova of Salmon, expected soon to arrive at Melbourne on their way to Hobarton.4 Thus probably an opportunity will be aforded to us, to obtain a share of this importation for stocking at a later period our alpine rivers with the salmon.

The distribution of plants to public reserves has commenced, as well as the annual reciprocal distribution of seeds. Herbariums have been made up for interchange with various foreign botanic museums. — Attention to the Garden-works at this season absorbing almost entirely my time, I have not been able to proceed much further with my botanical works.

A systematic disquisition of the Eucalypti has however nearly been completed5 and several quarto plates have been lithographed for my flora6

The floods having filled our northern lagoon, a line of basalt bolders has been arrayed along the abrupt edge of the water, to prevent accidents to children, who may happen to come unguarded to this part of the ground. An Emu was lost by lacerating its larynx against the iron fence. One Kangaroo became paralized on its lower extremities.

The Llama stable in the South ground has been terraced and made ready for the shelter of the animals against the inclemencies of the season. It is contemplated to give an unimpeded access to the Yarra foot bridge also at night time, by removing the middle iron Gate to the entrance of the bridge and by fencing off a small lateral path leading to the adjoining public road. The iron Aviary bridge has been raised and gravelled. The Hon. the board of lands & works have been pleased to add to the Northern part of the Garden the triangular piece of ground, stretching between the new continuation of Swan Street and our area, comprising about 4 acres which will be fenced as soon as the means will be available.

I have the honor to be

Sir

your most obedient & humble servant

Ferd. Mueller

 

The Honorable the Chief Secretary

&c &c &c7

MS written by Carl Wilhelmi and signed by M.
ourselves?
Letter not found.
See M to W. Henty, 27 April 1860.
B60.05.01; see M to W. Nicholson, 2 April 1860 and 5 June 1860.
B62.03.03.
MS file annotation by the Under Secretary, John Moore, 9 May 1860: 'Read'.

Please cite as “FVM-60-05-03,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells accessed on 28 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/60-05-03