2 
Considering that mountains of such altitude, probably the two highest in 
the Australian Continent, deserve distinctive names, I solicit His Excellency’s 
permission to name the grandest of both Mount Hotham, and the second in 
height Mount La Trobe, — as I trust to be entitled to the great honor of being 
the first man who ever reached these commanding summits of tlie Australian 
highland. The sky being fortunately clear during the ascent of Mount 
Hotham, I enjoyed a most extensive and unrestricted view over the Alps, and I 
did not lose this opportunity of taking bearings over to some of the principal 
mountains already included in the trigonometrical survey of Australia. From 
Mount Hotham bore Mount Aberdeen (the southern peak in the Buffalo 
Ranges) W. 10° N., the most northern peak of the same range W. 30° N., 
Mount Duller W. 35° S., Mount M‘Millan (of Townsend, or Castel Hill of 
Tyers) due S., the Cobboras mountains (between Omeo and Maneroo) E. 
12° N., Mount Wellington S. 10° W., Mount La Trobe (distant about eight 
miles) S. 25° E. Fartlicr bearings were made to Mount Leichardt E. 30° 
N., to Mitchell’s Plateau (in about equal distance with Mount Buller) S. 40° 
W., to Kennedy’s Height (a rocky hill in the snowy table land, and about six 
miles distant) E. 5° S., to Hooker’s Plateau (about fifteen miles distant) N. 
25° E. The bearings from Mount La Trobe were as follow: — Mitchell’s 
Plateau S. 15° W., Mount Aberdeen W. 5° S., Clarke’s Peak (between 
Mitchell’s Plateau and the Buffalo Ranges) S. 30° W., Mount Hotham N. 
25° W. Mounts Buller, Wellington, M'Millan, and other mountains were con- 
cealed in clouds. I hope that these bearings, although only taken with a 
simple pocket compass, will be found sufficient and correct enough to fix the 
position of these mountains until an exact survey of this interesting part of 
the country will be performed. The signification “ Bogong Range” ought 
to be abandoned, as the natives apply it to any of the lofty mountains when in 
the fissures of the rocks, chiefly when covered with the s})reading Alp pine 
(Podorarpus montona), the Bogong moth occurs. One of the main biunches 
of the Mitta MItta has its sources at Mount La Trobe, and those of another, 
as well as those of the Ovens and Mitchell, lay in a lower range not far distant. 
This snowy highland is in many places well grassed, and the lower parts of it 
will be doubtless occupied as cattle runs as soon as the discovery of a work- 
able Gold Field opens this part of the Colony. The prevailing rock is sand- 
stone, often accompanied by slate and quartz. Gianite is comparatively rare. 
After extending my journeys over several mountains in the neighbour- 
hood, and an exploration of the Upper Mitta Mitta, 1 went over a generally 
fertile country to Omeo. 
The amount of additional ])lants for the Flora of Victoria, obtained 
during this part of my expedition, is nearly sixty species, comprising the fol- 
lowing genera — Emex, Urosera, Chactospora, Gastrodia, Stirostylis, Levanora, 
Chorysanthis, Cassia, Pamaderris, Plaiitagsl, Lepidosperma, Hevaspora, Astelia, 
Schidiomyrtus, Rammoulus, Veronita, Eurybia, Lemapogon, Patersonia, 
Grevillea, Pleurandra, Fonidium, Barbarea, Calystegia, Viola, Hypnum, 
Myosotis, Cryptandra, Erysimum, Prasophyllum, Carix, Ozothamnus, Penta- 
diomdra, Fungermannia, Boronia, Haplo pappus, Stackhousia, Pirnelia, Bryum, 
Bartramia, Hedivigia, Oreobalus, Bellendena, Alchemilla. Several of the 
species are perfectly unknown, and nine of the genera and one natural order 
(Asteliacem) were previously also not represented in this Colony. 
It is my intention to proceed without delay from here to the Cobboras, 
thence to Maneroo and the Mungang mountains, by which excursions the 
botanical examination of the Australian Alps will be completed. 
I have the honor to be. 
Sir, 
Your most obedient and humble servant, 
FERU. MUELLER. 
The Honorable 
The Colonial Secretary 
By Authority: John Fekres, Govemuient Printer, Melbourne. 
