86 
The Queensland Naturalist September, 1933. 
equipped. But if Godeffroy was generous in providing 
supplies, he expected results. Amalie landed in Brisbane 
in August, 1863, after a voyage of 83 days. Godeffroy J s 
agent, Mr. Heussler, had been instructed to help her in 
every way. She stayed in Queensland eight years. 
I have, unfortunately, no record of Frau Dietrich’s 
scientific work before me, but I can give extracts from 
some of her letters. “The houses here look as if they had 
legs and wanted to run away. When I told Mr. Heussler 
so, he laughed and explained that the houses are built on 
piles because of white ants. ‘Ah/ thought I, ‘there is 
something to collect already/ ,5 “With a truly festive 
feeling I got ready for my first collecting trip in the new 
continent. I slung over my shoulders my case, filled with 
flour, salt, tea and matches, put on my large straw hat, and 
set off on my wanderings. Is it really I. this lonely wan- 
derer in the Australian forest? After some time I suc- 
ceeded in finding water. T collected some dry wood, made 
a fire, looked for a strong piece of bark, cleaned it care- 
fully, mixed the flour with water, made some flat cakes, 
and baked them in the hot ashes. When I thought they were 
ready, I blew off the ashes, made some tea, and had my first 
meal of a kind such as will probably often fie my lot in 
many days to come. Then I started collecting. I first 
filled my vasculum. Here everything is new, and such a 
wealth of material abounds that one is quite at a loss to 
know where to begin. For insects I had brought nothing 
but small glass jars with spirits. It is only after looking 
round a bit that one finds out how best to equip oneself. 
Unfortunately I have to wear a veil. Sometimes I think 
this must be a punishment for having so often made fun 
of other women for wearing them. But without one the 
mosquitoes would be too troublesome. ” 
She collected extensively around Brisbane. In April. 
1864, she writes from Rockhampton, and was impressed 
there by the luxuriance of the vegetation and the inter- 
esting animal life. She mentions disembowelling crocodiles 
up to 22ft. long. “What freedom I enjoy here as a col- 
lector ! No one circumscribes my zeal. I stride across the 
wide plains and wander through the virgin forest. I have 
trees felled in order to collect various kinds of wood, blos- 
soms, and fruit. I cross rivers and lakes in a small canoe, 
visit islands and collect — collect — collect. I speedily for- 
get the discomforts of heat and mosquitoes in the un- 
bounded feeling of joy that animates me when at every 
step I light upon treasures that no one has discovered 
before me. I have no fear of not fulfilling the expectations 
that Godeffoy has placed in me.” 
