12 WiLi.iA-MSO'N, Census of Victorian Plants: [v,^'*^xxxvi 



doubtful records we shall not, I am sure, be accused of trying 

 to discredit him either as a botanist, an explorer, or as a 

 careful observer and recorder, for we know that he was all of 

 these in the highest degree. The types of his published species 

 will stand for many years, and, with Bentham's confirmatory 

 initials, will form a lasting monument to the name of Mueller. 

 But it is to his locality notes and indefinite place names on 

 some of his labels that exception may be taken, and it is just 

 possible that this indefiniteness has caused an inflation of our 

 Census. If a plant has been recorded for Victoria, we should 

 find the specimen in the National Herbarium, but many of 

 our recorded plants are not represented in the Herbarium by 

 specimens labelled with a definite Victorian locality. 



With the approval of Professor Ewart, and the kind help 

 of the Herbarium assistants, I had the opportunity, during 

 the recent holidays, of looking into some hundreds of species 

 and examining several thousands of labels at the Herbarium, 

 and from my investigations I have compiled lists including 

 about i8o species which appear to be doubtful records for 

 Victoria. 



When looking over the specimens I was impressed with the 

 immense amount of work that had been done by the various 

 collectors — in many cases enthusiasts who looked for no 

 monetary return for their labours. Some, we know, received 

 payment from the Baron, who was known to have used his 

 income to obtain specimens for investigation. This was one 

 of his grievances, and no wonder ; he should have had, as 

 every Government Botanist should have, one or more paid 

 assistants, who could be detailed at any time to make field 

 researches to supplement and sustain laboratory work. 



As to my method of investigation : I, of course, used my 

 own herbarium as a guide. This contains 2,060 Victorian 

 species, 1,300 of which had been collected by myself. Of the 

 remainder, 360 were received in a fresh state from correspondents 

 in different parts of Victoria, so that I had to confine my 

 attention to about 400, more than half of which are repre- 

 sented in my collection by specimens gathered in other States. 

 A copy of the " Australian Census," written up to date, showing 

 the whereabouts of each species, was placed at my disposal, 

 so that it took only a minute or two to obtain the required 

 species. I am grateful for the assistance given to me in the 

 work by Mr. J. R. Tovey, senior Herbarium assistant, of 

 whose thorough knowledge of the institution and good memory 

 for references I took the fullest advantage. 



It was to me very interesting work, and I am much indebted 

 to Professor Ewart for the privilege. On looking into the 

 folders and reading the labels I came across interesting t3'pe- 



