Melbourne bot. & zoolog. Garden
2 October 1860.2
Sir
I have the honor of submitting the report on the progress of work in this establishment during the month of October 1860.
The ordinary Garden operations of the season have been continued, especially the borders edges and walkes cleared of weeds, so that under the favor of various rainshowers during the past month the ground and its plantations exhibit a very neat appearance. Thirtyseven painted labels have been added to those already in the Garden.
The lagoon walk in the Northern ground is under progress of formation; as covering material for it quarry-rubble being selected. The lawn-grass have been mown to preserve an equal turf.
The avenue trees, of which now a considerable number are established in our garden received due attention.
Two sheets of the work on the "plants of Victoria"3 have been elaborated and printed during the month and several additional plates been prepared for its illustration.
Mr Dallachy is engaged to examine the vegetation on the western boundaries of Victoria, especially near Lake Hindmarsh, to which locality the botanical survey has not been previously extended. The plants brought by myself from the Eastern boundaries of Gippsland have been examined.
By the "Lincolnshire" an other consignment for the zoological Department arrived from E. Wilson Esqr., consisting of 18 tench, 3 minnows and 2 doce,4 which have been placed into the artificial fish pond of our northern Ground. 4 Starlings arrived by the same ship. By the "Lightning" some British Glow-worms reached us also in safety, these insects being introduced likewise by Mr Wilson; whilst they are interesting and ornamental on account of their nightly phosphorescence, they may prove useful as enemies of the aphis.
The English and Silver pheasants have produced eggs, which are placed for incubation under Bantam hens. Some Chinese Geese have been reared.
A consignment of Algae has been transmitted to Professor Harvey of Dublin. The contributions and distributions to and from this establishment during the last month have been manyfold, comprise however none of prominent importance.
I have the honor to be
Sir
your most obedient & humble servant
Ferd. Mueller.
The Honorable the Chief Secretary
&c &c &c5
Please cite as “FVM-60-11-02,” 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 25 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/60-11-02