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The botanical library, which I had formed since a series of years, has now passed 
over permanently to the department. It comprises predominantly such a selection of 
books as are needed for local investigations into our flora. Had these works been scat- 
tered it would have been difficult, expensive and tedious to restore a similar collection. 
It consists of 1,086, to a large extent costly, volumes, and of many hundred smaller 
publications. A brief catalogue is appended to this document. 
Though it involved many years' toilsome exertions as well in the field as in the 
study to advance our botanical department to its present position, it remains gratifying 
to reflect, that the labors have not been in vain, and that for independent phytographic 
researches now in Australia more extensive means and greater facilities exist than in 
many of the metropolitan institutions of an analogous tendency in Europe. 
I have the honor to be, Sir, 
Your most obedient Servant, 
FERD. MUELLER, M.D., F.R.S., 
Government Botanist for Victoria , 
and Director of the Botanic Garden of Melbourne. 
The Honorable the Chief Secretary, 
&c., &c., &c. 
