9 
that highly distinguished explorer, by the late J. Chambers, Esq., of North 
Adelaide ; whilst the plants obtained by Dr. J. Murray, during Mr. A. 
Howitt’s expeditions, were placed by the latter gentleman at my disposal 
for the Botanical Museum. Of both these collections I have the honor to 
append a systematic enumeration. 
Of the plants gathered by Messrs. Pemberton Walcott and Maitland 
Brown, during Mr. Erancis Gregory’s expedition into the tropical tracts of 
Western Australia, a full account has been furnished for the New Philo- 
sophical Journal of Edinburgh in the course of this year. 
Many of the novelties acquired for our Museum found, during the 
year, their first elucidation in the Eragmenta Phytographise Australise, of 
which the third volume has recently been issued. 
A series of lithographed octavo plates, Avith analytical illustrations, 
of indigenous mosses has also been completed during the year. 
The plates for the Corolliflorte and the remainder of the Calyciflorse 
of “ The Plants Indigenous to Victoria” have been completed, as well as 
some new, although as yet unpublished, portions of the text of this Avork. 
Eor the Universal Elora of Australia, now under elaboration by 
George Bcntham, Esq., the President of the linnean Society of London, all 
our normal coUections, corresponding to the text of the first A^olume of 
the work, have been transmitted for comparison to London, and have been 
already partially returned ; for the same pAxrpose the fascicles comprising 
the extensive orders of Myrtacege and Leguminosse, as part of the material 
for the second A'olume, are noAV placed in order, and Avill be despatched 
successively for Mr. Bentham’s perusal. It is pleasing to observe, that 
thus our young establishment is already able to afibrd some material aid 
towards a great Avork, by Avhich one of the most learned, experienced, and 
laborious naturalists of this age is now crowning his phytological labors, 
commenced more than forty years ago. 
Whilst Professor Dr. Harvey, of Dublin, is bringing his important 
and beautifully iUustrated work on the Algse of Australia rapidly to a close, 
I have recently endeavored by the formation of further collections of sea- 
Aveeds, on the shores of Phillip Island, to add to his material. 
The botanical investigation of the territory of our colony, now 
nearly completed, has during the last summer been extended from the 
Bunyip Biver to the sources of the Tarwan, Tyers and La Trobe River, and 
thence along the Upper Yarra Ranges to the sources of the Thomson 
River and Mount Useful. 
Accompanied by Messrs. Alfred W^alker and George Johnson, 1 
succeeded also in traversing the alpine elevations of the Barkly Ranges, 
which front the western tributaries of the Macallister River, although 
we experienced mucli difiiculty in penetrating the dense scrubs of the 
surrounding ranges, through part of AARicli we had to cut our Ainy tor the 
sake of connecting existing tracks. ,. . . ,, 
It is not improbable that many of the gullies adjoining the ranges 
over AA hich I passed Avill prove auriferous ; and, for the exploration of their 
mineral AA^ealth, no measure would be more stimulating than the cutting 
of tracks along the main ranges, for the purpose of enabling the miners to 
advance Avith pack-horses to those positions from which the valleys can be 
readily explored. 
I have the honor to be. 
Sir, 
Your most obedient and humble servant, 
EERD. MUELLER, 
Government Botanist and Director of the 
Botanic Garden. 
The Honorable the Chief Secretary, 
&c., &c., &c. 
No. 61.-6. 
