January 14 [186]41
Sir
Mr Purchas visited the place last evening where the waterfowl are2 and he has directed me to inform you that in his opinion a fisherman's net staked so as the birds could pass under it & then dropped & dragged on shore would be the best & cheapest method of catching them. As the Council are very desirous that these birds should be caught I shall be obliged if you will inform me whether such a plan is in your opinion practicable.
The French Frigate "Isis" has arrived3
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most Obedt Servant
Geo Sprigg
Secy
To Dr Mueller F.R.S.
&c &c &c
editorial addition.
See G. Sprigg to M, 13 January 1864.
His Imperial French Majesty’s frigate Isis, under Commander T. Beeson, arrived at Melbourne on 13 January 1864 (Argus, 15 January 1864, p. 4; Age, 19 January 1864, p. 5) and sailed for New Caledonia on 21 January 1864 (Argus, 25 January, p. 5). See also notes to J. d'Eprémesnil to M, December 1863 (in this edition as 63-12-00b).
Please cite as “FVM-64-01-14a,” 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