To Richard Heales   1 December 1860

Melbourne bot. & zoolog. Garden

1 December 1860.

Sir

I have the honor of transmitting to you my monthly report for November on the progress of work in this establishment.

The heat of the season, altho’ several showers refreshed the vegetation, has exercised already its withering effects on many plants, and it is sincerely to be hoped that this may be the last Summer, when we will be without the boon of a general system of irrigation, which with the expected approach of the Yan Yean pipes to South Yarra could be readily introduced into our ground on comparatively limited expense. Besides the ordinary work of the season, such as keeping the extensive plantation and walks and lawns in order, securing hay and attending to the enlarged nurseries, we have extended the new walk in the northern ground, quarry-rubble for its formation having been brought for this purpose across the river.

Mr Dallachy returned from a journey of several weeks duration to the Grampians the Wimmera and Lake Hindmarsh,¹ where he gathered dried specimens of plants for the herbarium and seeds for the garden and obtained a few additional plants as material for my flora of Victoria. This journey caused but an exceedingly small outlay to this establishment, in as much as Mr Hugh Glass of Dunkeld and Mr Alex. Wilson of Horsham were friendly enough to provide him with horses throughout the journey.

73 iron labels have been painted as signatures of plants, and others are under preparation. One Wardian case has interchange been forwarded to the Horticultural Societys Garden of Launceston,² an other to the Royal botanic garden of Port Louis, Mauritius. Seeds have been received from the botanic Gardens of St. Jago,³ Giessen, Munich, Darmstadt, Berlin, Copenhagen, Strassburg and Christiania,⁴ and minor contributions were received from various donors.

A considerable quantity of seeds has been distributed by us this month, augmenting the papers sent away from our magazine in 1860 to more than 50,000, irrespective of the large quantity sown out on our own Ground.

The Caledonian national Games being held in our area, some preparations had to be made to secure the safety of the animals pasturing in the Northern reserve. Two Dingos some native Quails and some Yarra fish (Cods having not arrived in time from the Murray) were forwarded to the Zoological Gardens, Regents-Park,⁵ by the Essex, Ocean Chief & Lincolnshire, the obliging Commanders of these fine clippers having declared themselfes ready to convey sendings of interchanges for this establishment free of charge.

12 Silver pheasants and 15 English pheasants 20 Muscowy ducks and 5 Chinese Geese have been hatched by Bantam and ordinary domestic hens, but the White Swans forsake their nest; one Angora goat was born and two Indian Mocking Birds were added to the Aviary.

New contributions arrived from the zealous and generous Edward Wilson Esqr. in a consignment of Glow-worms and 17 English Squirrels. A fine Ceylon deer was presented by Mr Lyall, M.P. and from several various friends of the garden less important donations were received.

Some additional accommodation has been furnished to the animals.

Samples of Alpaca and Angora wool have been forwarded for examination to Mr Beazley of London. A Glass reservoire was constructed and forwarded pr "Grecian Queen" for a new attempt of introducing under Capt. Russells friendly aid the Guaramier from Maurtitius.⁶ Some interesting additions are made to the herbarium, by Mauritius plants received from Dr Ayres of Port Louis, plants collected at the Clarence River⁷ by Mr Wilcox, on the Richmond River⁸ by Dr Beckler, in Central Australia by John Macd. Stuart, on Mount Serle by Major Warburton, on the Fitzroy River⁹ by Mr Thozet, near Paramatta by Mr. W Woolls and in the Blue Mountains by Miss Atkinson.¹⁰ A report has been issued on the plants collected during the expedition recently sent in search of the estuary of the Burdekin by the Queensland Government.¹¹ The 14 No. of the fragmenta phytographiae Australiae has been published with one lithographic illustration.¹² Two additional plates have been prepared for the work on the plants of Victoria and others are under preparation.¹³ The prize essays on manufactures of native raw materials have been carefully examined.¹⁴ A proposition of Charles Ledger Esqr. to introduce whilst going to South America some Vicunas and pure female Alpacas from Bolivia for this establishment was transmitted to your office.

I have the honor to be

Sir

your most obedient servant

Ferd. Mueller.

The Honorable the Chief Secretary.

&c &c &c¹⁵