UC-NRLF 
 
 QE 
 
 A37 
 
 C 3 DSM Sbl 
 

 DEPARTMENT OE MINES. 
 
 REPORT OF PROGRESS 
 
 THE 
 
 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 C. S. \VILKINSOX, F.G.S., 
 
 <;OYI;|;NM|-:NT CKO MM; I ST. 
 
 DESCEIPTITE NOTES UN TIIK TEUTIAHY FLORA OF 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 FEKD. Vox MUELLER, CM.Gr., 11. A: Pii.D.. F.R.S. 
 
 SYDNEY: THOMAS UlrllAKDs, (ioVKUNMKNT I'IMNTKII 
 
 ;" 
 
University of California. , 
 
 G-IFT 
 
 IBIS. 
 
DEPARTMENT OP MINES. 
 
 REPORT OF PROGRESS 
 
 OP THE 
 
 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
 
 OF 
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 " 
 
 BY 
 
 C. S. WILKINSON, F.G.S., 
 
 GOVERNMENT GEOLOGIST. 
 
 WITH 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE NOTES ON THE TERTIARY FLORA OF 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 BY 
 
 BAEON FEED. Vow MUELLEE, C.M.G., M. & PH.D., F.E.S. 
 
 SYDNEY : THOMAS RICHARDS, GOVERNMENT PRINTER. 
 
 1876. 
 
EARTH 
 
 SCIENCES 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
Geological Survey of New South Wales, 
 22 August, 1876. 
 
 To the Honorable John Lucas, M.P., Minister for Mines. 
 SIR, 
 
 By your direction I have recently inspected several of the principal gold fields, for 
 the purpose of reporting as to the necessity for the reservation of certain Crown Lands from 
 alienation. In reference to this matter, I have already reported on some of the districts visited. 
 But apart from the special object of my mission, the geology of the country traversed has also 
 engaged my attention ; and I now do myself the honor to give you some general remarks on the 
 result of my observations deferring the more detailed descriptions of the rocks for my annual 
 report. 
 
 The geological formations observed have an important bearing upon the future prospects 
 of the Gold Fields of New South Wales, for, not only do they afford evidence of the permanency 
 of these fields, but they testify also to the existence of extensive auriferous deposits which have 
 not yet been developed. 
 
 The diggings hitherto opened are of comparatively small extent, and yet, with but few 
 localities excepted, nearly the whole of the country which I have examined, from Goulburn to 
 Adeloiig and Wagga Wagga ; thence through Young, Grenfell, Forbes, Parkes, and Wellington 
 to Gulgong ; thence again to Bathurst and Cowra, a distance of some 750 miles, together with 
 most of the intervening country (which I have not examined, but from which specimens of the 
 rocks have been received), embracing an area of about 18,000 square miles, which is about one- 
 third of the known auriferous country of New South Wales, is occupied by auriferous 
 formations. 
 
 A large extent of this country certainly has been prospected by the miner, and proved to 
 be not payable, but in many instances the prospects have been such as to encourage the belief 
 that with cheaper labour and more efficient appliances for extracting gold than are now in use, 
 considerable tracts of auriferous ground now abandoned, will, at some future time, be profitably 
 worked. 
 
 As an instance, I may mention the Old Lambing Flat Diggings around Young. 
 
 It is a remarkable fact, and one which was long ago pointed out by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, 
 M.A., F.R.S., F.G.S., &c., that the hornblendic granites in this Colony are auriferous ; and. with 
 but few exceptions, I have noticed that on all the Gold Fields recently examined, hornblendic 
 granites and intrusive greenstone or diorite are the original source whence the gold found in the 
 alluvial deposits has been derived. At Grenfell this is very marked. Here we have a large mass 
 of porphyrite intruding Upper Silurian schists. Quartz reefs varying in thickness from that of a 
 mere thread to over 10 feet, traverse the intrusive rock in a north-easterly direction, and in some 
 instances pass into the adjoining schists ; but though richly auriferous while in the former rocks, 
 
they cease to be so immediately on entering the schists. Such was the case in the " Consols" quartz 
 reef, and these features are characteristic of the other reefs at Grenfell. Numerous reefs occur 
 in the schists, but though a little gold was found in some, as yet none of them proved payable. 
 But I think that amongst them some exceptions may be discovered when properly prospected ; 
 for the " Evening Star " reef, about 7 miles from Grenfell, is in the schist rocks and has yielded 
 over half an ounce of gold to the ton. As a general rule, however, the reefs in these Upper 
 Silurian strata are not payably auriferous, and this fact is further confirmed by the evidence 
 afforded by the alluvial deposits or " leads." 
 
 At the Grenfell, Forbes, Parkes, Burrandong, and Gulgong Gold Diggings, the leads are 
 payably auriferous where they pass over dykes of granite and diorite traversing the schists, and 
 the yield of gold gradually falls off on leaving the dykes. It is owing to this that many of the 
 leads have been found " patchy," or richer in some places than in others. Seeing therefore 
 that the gold has been chiefly derived from these greenstone trap dykes, it is of importance 
 that the attention of the miners should be drawn to the fact when they are searching for 
 auriferous quartz reefs. At Adelong, payable quartz has been obtained from a reef at a 
 depth of 530 feet. This reef is in granite associated with diorite. At Grenfell, the 
 "Consols" mine is 716 feet deep, the deepest in the Colony. The reef, however, which was 
 over 10 feet wide on the surface, yielding up to 3 ozs. to the ton, began to fail below 500 feet ; it 
 is expected, however, that it has made on the south-east side, and that by cross-cutting in that 
 direction it will be again struck. 
 
 There is a large intrusive mass of greenstone about 1 mile west of Grenfell, which has 
 not yet been prospected. I would recommend miners to test its auriferous character. At 
 Burrandong, there are some shallow alluvial diggings now abandoned, but which which proved 
 very rich*; here again is a mass of intrusive diorite and altered slates abounding in quartz 
 reefs, which should comand the attention of the prospector. These slates differ in lithological 
 character from the Upper Silurian schists abovementioned and greatly resemble the Lower Silurian 
 slates of Victoria; but I could not detect any fossils in them to verify their age. The " Mitchell's 
 Creek " reef near Wellington is in diorite ; the reef is from 2 to 4 feet wide, and a recent crushing 
 of 440 tons of quartz is said to have averaged about | oz. of gold to the ton. It contains sulphides 
 of iron and copper. About 3 miles further to the north is " Fitty's " reef, also in diorite. In 
 this promising reef, or rather reefs, for there are several of them, coarse specks of gold are some- 
 times found enclosed in green carbonate of copper. I believe that payable reefs occur in the 
 line of greenstone formation which appears to have supplied the gold to the alluvial leads 
 traversing the country between Forbes and Parkes ; and from our inspection of the specimens of 
 diorite lately collected by Mr. Warden Dalton from the country lying between the Lachlan and 
 the Bogan, we can have little doubt but that there is a considei'able tract of auriferous country 
 yet to be developed extending for some 50 miles north-west from Parkes. 
 
 Quartz reefing in New South Wales may be considered in its infancy, and indeed the 
 same remark will apply to alluvial mining ; for hitherto the operations of the miners have been 
 chiefly confined to the more shallow portions of the leads, which have been followed into the 
 
 * NOTE. 1 am informed that 180 ounces of gold were obtained from one bucketful of a rich patch of 
 wash-dirt. 
 
deeper ground and there abandoned when the influx of water was too great for manual labour to 
 cope with. On nearly all the alluvial diggings, as at Forbes, Parkes, Gulgong, and Grenfell, such 
 has been the case ; and, doubtless, when once efficient machinery is- introduced to work the wet 
 ground in these localities, this class of gold-mining will soon become established on a permanent 
 basis. 
 
 It is, of course, impossible to estimate the extent of such alluvial ground yet to be 
 worked, but that it is very considerable I can confidently assert, from the geological evidence 
 presented on our gold-fields. The auriferous alluvial leads or drifts are observed to belong to at 
 least four distinct epochs ; those of the Upper Pliocene Tertiary formed the watercourses of a 
 drainage system similar to that which now carries off the rain-water from the surface of the land. 
 At that period the valleys were deeper than they now are, but owing to certain volcanic out- 
 bursts, molten lava flowed down into some of these valleys, burying in its course the river 
 channels, and overwhelming the vegetation and animals that lived on the banks of those ancient 
 streams. Climatic changes took place ; when the rocks and mountain slopes were disintegrated, 
 and the denuded material sand, mud, and pebbles swept into the bottom of the valleys, still 
 further filling them up with deposits, to be again eroded by unceasing atmospheric influences 
 which have succeeded to our own day. Of all these we have abundant geological evidence. The 
 strata passed through, as for instance in one single mining shaft at Gulgong, reveal for our 
 perusal some of these pages in the book of Nature, which are beautifully illustrated by those* 
 fossil leaves, fruit, and branches of large trees, and the fossil ferns which probably afforded shelter 
 for the animals whose bones are also found entombed beneath that now solid lava which over- 
 whelmed them. In the arrangement of the layers of the overlying sand, clay, and gravel, we see 
 the effects of atmospheric forces the nature of which cannot be misunderstood. And thus from 
 Earth's ancient history may be read lessons which the miner may make practical use of, if he will 
 but avail himself of their valuable teaching to guide him in his search for the buried treasure. 
 
 Besides the auriferous resources of the districts above mentioned, extensive lodes of copper 
 ores also occur. The recent rich discoveries at Coombing Park, Milbourne Creek, and near 
 Borowa, confu-m what was formerly anticipated from the surface indications. These, together 
 with the Cow Flat, Wiseman's Creek, Carrangara, and other cupriferous localities in the Bathurst 
 district, as well as the Goodrich, Belara, and the numerous occurrences of copper ores in the 
 vicinity of Wellington, are indicative of the magnitude of the copper mining industry which 
 these districts will at no distant day support. 
 
 In the Cudgegong and Macquarie River valleys there are considerable deposits of older 
 Pliocene Tertiary drift. Apart from its stratigraphical position, its well-rounded water-worn 
 character readily distinguishes it from the later Tertiary drifts. Wherever this older drift occurs, 
 diamonds are found in some abundance. A company was once formed to mine for diamonds, and 
 failed ; but its failure, like that of many gold-mining companies, may perhaps be attributed to 
 other well-known causes than the absence of the preckms gems or metals sought for. However, 
 
 * NOTE. Remarkably fine specimens of these fossils, from a depth of 146 feet, in No. 23 Claim, Black 
 Lead, at Gulgong, are now in the Museum of Mines. 
 
diamonds are now frequently met with accidentally, in the process of washing for gold ; and, 
 doubtless, many more pass away unnoticed with the quartz pebbles, the specific gravity of which 
 (2-6) is so near that of the diamond (3-5). 
 
 The result of my recent examination of this country has convinced me that its mineral 
 wealth is practically inexhaustible ; a large extent of the land is such as to offer every induce- 
 ment to the agriculturalist ; and the only requirement now is population and capital, to take . 
 advantage of these great resources. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 
 C. S. WILKINSON, F.G.S., 
 
 Government Geologist. 
 
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYOR'S REPORT. 
 
 REPORT OF PROGRESS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, DURING THE YEAR 1875. 
 
 To THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR MINES, &c., &c. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I have the honor to submit, for your information, the following Report of Progress 
 of the Geological Survey during the year 1875. 
 
 My appointment, which was held under the Minister for Lands, was transferred to the 
 Department of the Minister for Mines on the 1st January, 1875. At that date, and until the 
 end of March, I was engaged in the geological survey of Bowenfels, Hartley, Wallerawang, 
 and Eydal Districts, embracing an area of about 160 square miles. Within this area are 
 included all the coal mines at present worked in the Western Coal Fields, and the iron ore 
 and limestone deposits of the Lithgow Valley Iron Company. 
 
 Mr. P. F. Adams, Surveyor General, from his extensive personal acquaintance with the 
 geological features of the Colony, selected this locality for survey as one wherein might be 
 worked out the geological connection between the Gold-bearing Silurian or Devonian Rocks 
 and the overlying Coal Measures. 
 
 The necessity for this work I have referred to in my report on this district ; suffice it 
 to say here, that without an accurate knowledge of the nature and relative positions of the 
 several formations, and this may be gained only by actual survey, it is impossible to obtain 
 that definite and reliable information which is of value to science and for guidance in mining 
 operations. 
 
 It was also considered that this part of the Western or Bowenfels District* deserved 
 special attention, on account of its extensive mineral resources. For, being so favourably 
 situated as it is for access by the Great Western Railway to and from the seaboard on the 
 east, and the vast mineral and pastoral districts on the west, this district, we cannot doubt, will 
 become one of considerable importance. By the extension of the railway into the gold and 
 copper mining districts there will open an increasing demand for the coal, iron, and firebricks ; 
 
 * Strictly speaking the term western is incorrectly applied to the Bowenfels district ; for though on the 
 western side of the Blue Mountains, this district is on the eastern watershed. The line of railway crosses the 
 Uiyiding Range between Rydal and Wallerawang. 
 
4 
 
 while the copper-smelting works at the coal mines will receive additional supplies of or& 
 and regulus by the greater facilities of carriage thus afforded, and local enterprise will be- 
 stimulated. 
 
 The seams of coal are practically inexhaustible. Five collieries are now at work, the 
 Bowenfels, Eskbauk, Lithgow Valley, Vale of Clwydd, and Blackman's Flat Collieries. The 
 first four of these are situated in proximity to each other in the Lithgow Valley ; and the 
 Great Western Eailway runs through the midst of them. It is the lowest coal seam in the 
 coal measures which is now worked in each colliery. The seam is from 8 to 11 feet thick, and 
 in the Bowenfels and Lithgow Valley Collieries it is worked from its outcrop at the surface. 
 It dips about 1 in 30 to the E. At the Eskbank and Vale of Clwydd Collieries, which are 
 situated in that direction, the coal is worked from shafts ; though at one part on the Eskbank 
 Estate the seam also outcrops at the surface. The same seam of coal is worked at the Black- 
 man's Flat Mine, on the Mudgee Road, some 9 J miles north-west from Lithgow Valley, and 
 about 4 miles from the "Wallerawang Eailway Station. The coal is here 6 feet thick ; but at 
 Coal Creek, 2 J miles west on the "Wallerawang Iron and Coal Company's Estate, it is 17 feet 
 thick. 
 
 Professor Liversidge's report on the coal, giving analyses of samples from the mines, is 
 herewith appended. 
 
 There are other seams of coal above that now being worked ; one of these is from 15- 
 feet thick, at Lithgow Valley, to over 30 feet thick, near the Marangaroo Eiver, but it contains 
 many clay -bands. 
 
 Interbedded with the coal measures are extensive beds of fire-clay, from which excellent 
 firebricks are manufactured, and used at Eskbank, by the Lithgow Valley Iron Company, and 
 at the Eskbank Copper Smelting Works. 
 
 The coal measures also contain four or five bands (from 2 to 18 inches thick) of clay 
 ironstone, assaying up to 56 per cent. iron. This clay band ore is that at present so successfully 
 smelted at the Lithgow Valley Iron Company's furnace, which was first charged on the 16th 
 December. The constant working of our iron mines will indeed be a matter of congratulation 
 to the Colony. 
 
 Several miles from Wallerawang there is abundance of marble limestone of the purest 
 quality. Samples of this marble which I obtained dress well and take an excellent polish. 
 It occurs within easy access to the Eailway and may be got in blocks of any required size. 
 
 My survey also extends to the New South Wales Shale and Oil Company's Mine in 
 Hartley Vale, where I measured the seam of the best kerosene shale or petroleum oil coal 
 3 feet 2 inches thick, besides nearly 2 feet of oil schist of poorer quality. The position of all 
 these mineral deposits, together with descriptive notes, are shown on my map. 
 
 Many interesting and some new fossils, also rock specimens and minerals, were collected 
 by myself and party. 
 
 By a section we measured from Mount Lambie to Mount Walker, the Devonian beds 
 were ascertained to be not less than 10,000 feet thick. It is in the lower beds of this seriea 
 that the magnetic iron and brown hematite deposits occur near Mount Lambie. 
 
It is unnecessary for me however to enter into particulars in this progress report, they 
 will be found in the report accompanying my map. 
 
 My examination of the district was commenced in the previous October, but owing to 
 the inaccuracy of the only maps obtainable, and the consequent necessity of making traverse 
 surveys, the progress of my work was much retarded. It is not that topographical surveys 
 have not been made, but that the manner in which some of the old surveys were carried out in 
 this rough mountainous country has precluded the possibility of compiling a map to represent 
 the surveys as they exist on the ground. And this state of things must continue and be an 
 ever-increasing source of annoyance and expense, both to the surveyor and the Government, 
 until a trigonometrical survey be made the base of survey operations. The present rapid 
 occupation and alienation of Crown Lands urgently requires that the trigonometrical survey 
 of the Colony should be carried out as expeditiously as possible. 
 
 On the 12th of January I accompanied the Surveyor G-eneral and Mr. J. S. Farnell, 
 M.L.A., then Minister for Lands, to Mount Lambie for the purpose of examining the summit 
 as to its suitability for a trigonometrical station. This conspicuous hill, which was formerly 
 cleared for the trigonometrical survey by the late Sir Thomas Mitchell, we found to be about 
 4,070 feet above sea level ; from its commanding position it will form a very important station 
 for observation. 
 
 On the following day, accompanied by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, M.A., and the Hon. 
 Francis Lord, we inspected the iron and coal deposits, the survey of which was then being 
 proceeded with. I may state that these gentlemen expressed their appreciation of the work I 
 was engaged on. 
 
 During the progress of this survey 13,882 chains or 173| miles of traverse were 
 measured by myself and assistants chiefly in defining the geological boundaries and the 
 outcrop of the workable coal seams, and to fix the position of the limestone and iron ore 
 deposits. 
 
 The heights of the principal hills have been ascertained by aneroid observations. 
 
 Over 1,250 specimens illustrative of the geology and mineral resources of the district 
 were collected and forwarded to the Museum of the Department of Mines. Many of the 
 fossil specimens are the finest yet discovered, and amongst them are several species believed to 
 be new to science. Some of these, through the kindness of the Eev. W. B. Clarke, have been 
 sent to Dr. Oldham, Director G-eneral of the Geological Survey of India, for examination by 
 the Palaeontologist of the Indian Survey, whose report on them I expect shortly to receive. 
 Having completed the geological survey of this district, on the 2nd March I returned to 
 Sydney. The preparation of my map was a work of considerable time, occupying almost as 
 many months as it should have done weeks, owing to the inaccurate surveys before referred to, 
 and the necessity of examining at the Surveyor General's Office nearly all the original plans 
 of these surveys, from which I found it was impossible to make a correct compilation ; but 
 with the information afforded by my own traverse surveys I have, after much difficulty, 
 compiled as accurate a map as I think it possible to make under the circumstances. The map 
 is now in the hands of the lithographer, who has nearly completed his work. 
 
6 
 
 From the Museum of the Department of Mines I assorted a collection of mineral ores 
 and fossils characteristic of the geological formations of New South "Wales for exposition at 
 the last Annual Exhibition of the Agricultural Society, which opened on the 6th April, 1875 
 This collection comprised upwards of 1,000 specimens, brought together chiefly by the officers 
 of the Mining Department, and supplemented by a few contributions from private sources, to 
 which reference is made in my notes on the mineral exhibits published in the volume "Mines and 
 Mineral Statistics." For this collection the Department of Mines was awarded the first prize. 
 
 On 14th April, I visited Mount "Wilson in company with Mr. E. D. Fitzgerald, the 
 Deputy Surveyor General, and Mr. Moore, the Director of the Botanic Gardens, who made 
 an official inspection of the country about Mount Wilson for the purpose of determining the 
 boundaries of a reserve for timber. We found that the rich soil which, at this high point in 
 the Blue Mountains, supports such a luxuriant growth of vegetation, has resulted from the 
 decomposition of basaltic trap, which has here burst through the Upper Coal Measures and 
 Hawkeslury Sandstones, and in parts has overflowed them. This basalt appears to be of Upper 
 Tertiary age, and is probably contemporaneous with some of the extensive basalt flows in the 
 Western District. It contains abundance of oligoclase or glassy felspar. 
 
 On the 14th May, I proceeded to examine the coal lands in the vicinity of Jamberoo 
 and Kiama, the result of my examination has been already communicated to you in a special 
 report. 
 
 When at Kiama I inspected the excavations then being made for the new docks. The 
 rock excavated is a hard dense basalt which, on the west side of the harbour, is seen to pass 
 under the Lower Marine Coal Measures, The lower beds of the coal measures consist of con- 
 glomerates containing pebbles and boulders derived from this basaltic trap, which is therefore 
 older than the overlying sedimentary strata. 
 
 A short distance from the docks is the so-called " Bloic-hole" which consists of a 
 cavernous passage, 20 feet wide, 25 feet high, and 120 feet long, opening to the ocean at one 
 (the eastern) end, and at the other by a funnel-shaped vertical pit. During an easterly gale 
 the waves rush with great force up this passage and then being suddenly arrested at the end of 
 it, the water is forced up the pit and spouted to a considerable height into the air. This 
 " Blow-hole" has been formed by the action of the waves disintegrating and excavating a 
 narrow dyke of basalt which traverses, in a direction N". 20 W., the older columnar basalt ; the 
 latter being of a hard nature has resisted the action of the water, while the softer dyke has 
 been washed away. 
 
 The vicinity of Kiama has special interest for the geologist. On the west shore of the 
 harbour we have the carboniferous marine beds resting on the older basalt ; and in the bold 
 cliffs facing the ocean are seen splendid sections showing several dykes of a newer trap 
 cutting through both the older basalt and the carboniferous marine strata. The dyke at the 
 " Blow-hole" is one of these dykes. 
 
 They probably indicate the "pipes" whence issued in a molten state the porphyritic trap 
 which overlies the carboniferous beds. This trap attains a thickness of from 150 to 200 feet, 
 and its well-defined columnar structure is grandly shown in the coast cliffs about 2 miles north 
 
from Kiama* ; its black vertical columns stand in marked contrast with the lighter coloured 
 nearly horizontal strata underneath. This upper basalt varies very much in its lithological 
 character ; in places it passes into greenstone, felspar porphyry, amygdaloid, and sometimes 
 into an almost pure siliceous rock resembling quartzite, but with crystals of felspar distinctly 
 traceable in it. 
 
 Immediately overlying this porphyritic basalt are the Upper Coal Measures with their 
 extensive seams of coal the equivalents of the seams now being worked at Bulli, Mount 
 Pleasant, and Mount Keira near Wollongong. 
 
 The Upper Coal Measures in the Jamberoo District are from 500 to 800 feet thick, 
 and are overlaid by the Hawkesbury Kocks from 200 to 400 feet in thickness, which between 
 Jamberoo and Broughton Vale form a table-topped range called the " Saddle-back Mountain," 
 having an undulating surface about 2,000 feet above sea-level. From this range to the coast, 
 we have thus presented to us an interesting geological section, showing in descending order the 
 
 following formations : 
 
 Hawkesbury Rocks. 
 
 Upper Coal Measures. 
 
 Porphyritic Basalt, Greenstone, &c. 
 
 Coal Measures. (Marine Beds). 
 
 Basaltic trap. 
 
 During August and September I was prevented from active work by a severe attack of 
 bronchitis. But for this illness, I was about to undertake, as you directed, a geological examina- 
 tion of the Lachlan District, for the purpose, among others, of getting further information as 
 to the direction and extension to the westward of the auriferous deep leads, and also of 
 reporting on certain of the Reserves for Gold Fields as to the advisability of their cancellation 
 or continued reservation. 
 
 This work I hope shortly to undertake, now that the collection of exhibits for the 
 Philadelphia Exhibition is nearly completed. The geological and mineralogical collection to 
 be exhibited by the Department of Mines will include 748 labelled samples, of which eight 
 samples consist of coal ; the remainder of other minerals and fossils, numbering altogether 
 about 900 specimens. The geological section of the collection will have special scientific 
 interest, inasmuch as it will exhibit the chief of the characteristic fossils of the principal 
 sedimentary formations ; and the mineral section cannot fail to impress the visitors at the 
 Philadelphia Exhibition with the magnitude of the coal and other mineral resources of New 
 South "Wales. The greater part of this collection was lately arranged and exhibited at the 
 Temperance Hall, Sydney, to afford the public an opportunity of inspecting the exhibits 
 previous to their transmission to America. 
 
 The following table gives a statement of the value per ounce, description, and assays of 
 the gold exhibits sent. The gold, consisting of 46 samples of about 2 ounces each, from 
 various Gold Fields in the Northern, Southern, and Western districts of the Colony, was 
 selected and assayed at the Eoyal Mint, Sydney. 
 
 * NOTE. The illustration of Basaltic columns, Coast of Illawarra, New South Wales, in Dana's Manual 
 of Geology, p. 108, is a sketch from one of these cliffs. 
 
8 
 
 SAMPLES OF GOLD characteristic of the Gold Fields of New South Wales. 
 
 No. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 Description of Gold. 
 
 Weight 
 of 
 Sample. 
 
 Loss in 
 Melting, 
 "$ cent. 
 
 Gold and Silver 
 in 1,000 parts, 
 afrer Melting. 
 
 Value per Oz. 
 after melting, 
 at 
 3 179. icW. 
 Standard. 
 
 692 
 
 693 
 
 694 
 
 695 
 696 
 697 
 698 
 699 
 7OO 
 701 
 702 
 
 703 
 704 
 
 705 
 706 
 707 
 708 
 709 
 710 
 7 II 
 712 
 
 713 
 
 7'4 
 7i5 
 716 
 
 7i7 
 718 
 719 
 720 
 721 
 722 
 723 
 724 
 725 
 726 
 
 727 
 728 
 
 729 
 730 
 
 73 
 732 
 
 733 
 
 734 
 
 735 
 736 
 737 
 
 WESTERN DISTRICT. 
 Sofala 
 
 In fine scales, and coarse plates and 
 grains 
 
 Ozs. 
 
 2-50 
 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 
 2'53 
 2'OO 
 2"OO 
 2"OO 
 2'OO 
 2-50 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2 'OO 
 
 2-00 
 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2 'OO 
 2'OO 
 2-50 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2-50 
 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 
 2'OO 
 2 
 2"OO 
 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 
 2'OO 
 2'OO 
 2 'OO 
 2 OO 
 2'OO 
 
 I'54 
 
 2'OO 
 
 I'47 
 2-23 
 
 I-1 5 
 1-31 
 i-55 
 2-77 
 
 2'00 
 
 2-47 
 
 1-41 
 
 2-18 
 
 1-97 
 
 i '93 
 2-04 
 177 
 r 7 8 
 1-78 
 1-78 
 i-59 
 
 10-92 
 
 2'94 
 2-67 
 
 2-53 
 1-56 
 
 1-79 
 2*19 
 2-63 
 1-27 
 1-69 
 6-28 
 
 2'39 
 1-52 
 1-64 
 
 3 -I 5 
 6-87 
 
 2-63 
 3-i7 
 
 4"22 
 
 3'33 
 3-28 
 
 3-28 
 3-31 
 3-3i 
 3-30 
 1-91 
 
 Gold. 
 923-0 
 
 923-5 
 918-0 
 920-5 
 961^0 
 940*0 
 943'5 
 944-5 
 935-5 
 945-5 
 945'5 
 947-0 
 
 942-5 
 941-0 
 926-0 
 
 937' 
 938-0 
 
 9 l6 '5 
 025-0 
 946-0 
 
 878-0 
 
 960-0 
 943-o 
 
 930-5 
 942-0 
 
 959-o 
 95i-5 
 944-0 
 941-0 
 946-0 
 927-5 
 957-o 
 943-o 
 980-5 
 
 927-0 
 975'o 
 
 963-0 
 938-0 
 924-0 
 
 9'9'S 
 902-5 
 
 912-0 
 914-0 
 
 899-5 
 948*0 
 888-5 
 
 Silver. 
 72 
 
 7i 
 76 
 70 
 33 
 54 
 50 
 5i 
 54 
 47 
 5o 
 47 
 49 
 56 
 68 
 58 
 58 
 
 79 
 70 
 48 
 
 119 
 
 36 
 5i 
 62 
 
 54 
 
 34 
 
 42 
 
 52 
 53 
 50 
 70 
 
 36 
 49 
 15 
 
 63 
 
 22 
 
 34 
 
 56 
 
 70 
 
 73 
 90 
 
 83 
 80 
 
 93 
 44 
 !5 
 
 s. d. 
 3 18 9* 
 
 3 18 10 
 3 18 4i 
 3 18 6* 
 4 i 9* 
 401 
 
 45 
 406 
 
 3 19 84 
 407 
 407 
 4 o 8* 
 404 
 4 o 2i 
 3 19 o 
 3 J 9 I0 * 
 3 J 9 "i 
 3 18 3 
 3 18 ii 
 407* 
 
 3 '5 2 
 
 4 i 8* 
 4 o 4.} 
 3 19 4 
 4 o 3* 
 
 4 i 71 
 4 i oj- 
 
 4 o 52 
 402 
 
 4 o 74 
 3 19 'I 
 4 * Si 
 4 o 4^ 
 
 4 3 4i 
 
 3 i9 I 
 4 2 n 
 
 4 * "1 
 3 19 "i 
 3 18 10 
 
 3 18 6 
 3 J 7 ii 
 
 3 17 iol 
 3 18 ot 
 3 16 io 
 409 
 3 16 o 
 
 Bathurst 
 
 Fine scales and coarse grains, with 
 some spongy and stringy 
 
 Do 
 
 Fine scales, plates, and coarse grains... 
 Fine dust and coarse grains 
 
 Hargraves 
 
 Do 
 
 Scaly, with some grains 
 
 Tambaroora 
 
 Fine and coarse, scaly, and grains 
 Fine scales and grains 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 Reef gold, reticulated 
 
 Do. 
 
 Coarse waterworn grains or nuggets . . . 
 Fine dust and coarse grains 
 
 Hill End 
 
 Do 
 
 Scaly, with coarse spongy grains 
 
 Do 
 
 Fine scales, and coarse crystalline gold 
 Scaly, and coarse filiform gold 
 
 Do 
 
 Muds'ec 
 
 Fine scales and coarse grains 
 
 Do. 
 
 Coarse grains, with some scales 
 
 Do. 
 
 Fine and coarse scales 
 
 Gulgong 
 
 Coarse spongy grains and some scales 
 Dust and coarse scales 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 
 Coarse pieces, filiform and spongy 
 
 Do. 
 
 Scaly, with some grains 
 
 Carcoar 
 
 Fine scales, very porous, with some 
 magnetic iron 
 
 Do 
 
 Fine and coarse filiform gold of a dark 
 colour 
 
 Orange 
 
 Scaly . ... 
 
 Do 
 
 Fine dust " Gunpowder gold" 
 
 Stony Creek 
 
 Scaly '. 
 
 SOUTHERN DISTRICT. 
 Braid wood 
 
 Plates and fine scaly 
 
 Araluen 
 
 Fine dust " Gunpowder gold"... 
 
 Adelong 
 
 Fine scaly and coarse filiform 
 
 Do. 
 
 Scaly... 
 
 Do 
 
 Coarse filiform with some scaly 
 
 Tumut 
 
 Fine and coarse, some very spongy ... 
 Scaly dust gold 
 
 Young 
 
 Do 
 
 Fine dust " Gunpowder gold" 
 
 Nerrigundah 
 
 Strings, scales, and plates 
 
 Kiamlra 
 
 Scales and plates, with some grains and 
 threads 
 
 Goulburn 
 
 Coarse grains and reticulated 
 
 Bombala 
 
 Very fine scaly dust " Gunpowder 
 sold' ' . 
 
 Cooma 
 
 Filiform, crystalline, and some scaly... 
 Filiform, crystalline, and some scaly... 
 
 Fine scaly and coarse filiform 
 
 Do 
 
 NORTHERN D ISTRICT. 
 Nundle 
 
 Do 
 
 Scales, plates, and coarse filiform, of a 
 brownish colour 
 
 Tamworth 
 
 Spongy, filiform, and crystalline ; some 
 with a little quartz attached 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. do. do do. 
 Fine dust and shotty grains 
 
 Do 
 
 Armidale 
 
 Scales, with some threads 
 
 Do 
 
 Fine scales 
 
 
 
9 
 
 The results of the above assays are interesting and important, as maintaining the state- 
 ment of Professor J. D. Dana that " the average proportion of gold in the native gold of 
 California, as derived from assays of several hundred millions of dollars worth, is 880 
 thousandths ; while the range is mostly between 870 and 890 (Prof. J. C. Booth, of U. S. 
 Mint, in a letter to the author, of May, 1867). The range in the metal of Australia is mostly 
 between 909 and 960, with an average of 925." Our present assays show even a higher 
 average of 935 '5. 
 
 It will also be seen from the tables that the value per ounce ranges from 3 15s. 2d. up 
 to as high as 4 3s. 4|d. ; no less than twenty-four of the samples being over 4, and eighteen 
 over 3 17s. lOd. per ounce ; the average value per ounce of the forty-six samples being 
 3 19s. 9d. 
 
 I have also been engaged with arrangement of the new Mining and Geological Museum 
 of the Department of Mines, but the delay in obtaining the requisite cases and fittings, together 
 with the preparations for the Philadelphia Exhibition, have hitherto prevented me from getting 
 the minerals and fossils classified. The cases are now being fitted up, so that we hope very 
 shortly to have all arrangements completed. When this is done, our present collection will 
 form the nucleus of one from which may be derived reliable information respecting the 
 mineralogy and geology of the Colony. 
 
 Upwards of 2,500 specimens have already been brought together by the Geological 
 Survey party, the Examiner of Coal Fields, the Wardens, Mining Registrars, and other officers 
 of the Department, whom you have instructed to forward specimens from their several districts, 
 Amongst others received is a valuable collection of tin ores sent by Mr. Gower, Mining 
 Registrar, which contains a remarkably fine specimen of stanniferous wash from the Vegetable 
 Creek Tin Mine (O'Daly's) ; also some fossil leaves, indicative of the Miocene Period, from the 
 clays and gravels of the tin-bearing beds of New England. Mr. Warden Dalton has sent some 
 rich samples of auriferous wash-dirt from the deep leads in the Parkes district. Mr. Warden 
 De Boos has forwarded specimens of auriferous quartz, illustrative of some of the reefs in the 
 Southern district. Contributions of specimens to the Department of Mines have also been 
 received from private sources. The following is a list of the contributors : 
 
 Messrs. Beiiby & Scott Specimen of lode tin in granite, from the Bolitho Tin Mine. 
 
 Mr. Quong Tart Samples of Quartz, with gold, from Lady Belmore Line of Eeef, Braidwood. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Carpenter, C.E Crystallized and Grain Tin, and Tin Slag, from the Pyrmont Tin Smelting 
 
 Works, Sydney. 
 
 Mr. J. M. Butchart Specimens of Cassiterite (Wood-tin), from the Gulf, Beardy Falls. 
 
 Mr. Eees Carbonates of Copper from Copabella, Southern District; Impure 
 
 Graphite from same locality ; and Antimony from Wallerawang. 
 
 Mr. J. Chiplin Green Carbonate, Grey and Yellow Sulphides of Copper from 3-mile Flat, 
 
 4 miles north of Wellington ; also samples of Pyritous Quartz from ' 
 Mitchell's Creek, County of Lincoln. 
 
 Mr. John Deer Green and blue Carbonates, yellow Sulphide, and red Oxide of Copper, 
 
 from Frog's-hole, Parish of Bala, County of King. 
 
 Mr. W. Bryant Carbonates and Sulphides of Copper, with Galena, from the Cow Flat 
 
 Copper Mine, near Bathurst. 
 B 
 
10 
 
 Mr. C. R. Darton Samples of native or virgin Copper, grey and yellow Sulphide, green and 
 
 blue Carbonates, and red and black Oxides of Copper, assaying from 
 25 to 40'4 per cent. Copper, from the Belara Copper Mine, 20 miles 
 from Gulgong. 
 
 Mr. Thos. Taylor Green and blue Carbonates of Copper, red Oxide and Native Copper, and 
 
 yellow Sulphides of Copper, from Peelwood, 10 miles from Tuena. 
 
 Mr. G-ustavus Lett Yellow Sulphide and green and blue Carbonates of Copper, from Mitchell's 
 
 Creek, County of Lincoln. 
 
 The Hon. Francis Lord, M.L.C Specimen of Nickel Ore, Noume'ite, from New Caledonia. 
 
 Mr. Alderman J. R. Steel Specimen of Nickel Ore, Garnierite, from New Caledonia. 
 
 The Hon. John Lucas, M.L. A., Specimens of Antimony from Pyramul ; Calcite, from Fish River Caves; 
 
 Minister for Mines Stalactite, from Fish River Caves ; also Lower Marine Coal Measures 
 
 Fossils from Wollongong ; Cinnabar from Cudgegong ; and Limonite 
 
 from Lithgow Valley. 
 
 Mr. J. B. North Copper Ores from Belara, and Kerosene Shale from Joadja Creek, Berrima 
 
 Messrs. Gilchrist & Weston Sulphides of Copper from the Ophir Copper Mine. 
 
 Mr. J. De V. Lamb & Mr. J. Brown Kerosene Shale from their property at Joadja, near Berrima. 
 
 J)r. Morgan Gold in slate, from " Sandstone Reef," Cowarbee. 
 
 Mr. W. B. Simpson, L.S Carbonates of Copper from the Wellington District, and Silurian Fossils 
 
 from the same district. 
 
 Mr. C. O. Helm Amononite showing section of Septa. 
 
 Mr. James Daw Gold in quartz from Courts' 4-acre lease, Hawkin's Hill View. 
 
 Mr. W. O'Halloran Opalised wood, from Bloomfield, near Orange. 
 
 Mr. Hagarty Auriferous Quartz, from Hill End. 
 
 Mr. James Jackson Asbestos, from Wentworth, Lucknow Goldfield. 
 
 Mr. Seymour C. Stewart, J.P Gold in quartz, from Adelong. 
 
 Mr. George Hulks Talcose Schist, from near Bathurst. 
 
 Mr. L. E. Johnstone Gold in quartz, from Crudine Creek. 
 
 Captain Armstrong, R.N Specimens of various Copper Ores Carbonates, Sulphides, andRed Oxide, 
 
 from the Armstrong Copper Mine ; also Carbonates, Sulphides, and 
 Red and Black Oxides of Copper, from South Wiseman's Creek Copper 
 Mine, near Bathurst. 
 
 Mr. H. A. Thompson Ingot of Copper, and some Metallic Copper extracted by Hunt and 
 
 Douglass' new Process, and Sulphides of Copper from the Goodrich 
 Copper Mine ; also samples of Stream Tin from the Wylie and Ruby 
 Creeks Tin Mines ; and ingot of Tin smelted from the same ores at 
 the St. Leonards Tin Smelting Works. 
 
 Mr. J. Nancarrow, Manager of Tiles of polished Colonial Marbles, from Marulan and Cow Flat ; also 
 
 J. Young's Steam Marble Works. one tile of marble from Six Island, off coast of Queensland. 
 
 Lithgow Valley Iron Co A bar of Pig Iron, the produce of the first smelting at the Lithgow Valley 
 
 Iron Company's new Works, at Eskbank. 
 
 Mr. R. D. Adams Large specimens of Galena, from Mylora, near Yass. 
 
 Mr. James Jones Sulphide and Carbonate of Copper, from Jones's Mount, Tuena. 
 
 Rev. W. B. Clarke, M.A.,F.G.S., &c., Devonian Fossils, Spirifer and Rhynchonella, from the Gulf, Turon River ; 
 Branthwaite, St. Leonards. broken Auriferous Granite, from the County of Clive ; and Tertiary 
 
 Auriferous Cement with Silicate of Iron, from Two-mile Flat, Cudge- 
 
 gong River. 
 
 Mr. John Hume, Forest Lodge Devonian Fossils Lepidodendron and Spirifer from range 10 miles 
 
 north of Goulburn. 
 Mr. Thomas Brown, M.L.A.Esk Bank Five large samples of Coal, with a section taken from the Coal Seam 
 
 worked in the Western District, showing its actual thickness of 10 ft. 
 
 6 in. ; also various other minerals from Capertee, Castlereagh River, &c. 
 
 Mr. W. Macleay, F.L.S Samples of rocks, &c., from New Guinea and adjacent Islands, collected by 
 
 Mr. W. Macleay during his recent expedition. These specimens are 
 specially interesting, as being the first Marine Miocene Tertiary 
 Fossils discovered north of Cape Howe, and of the existence of which 
 this is the first notice given. 
 
11 
 
 In accordance with your instructions I made up and dispatched, on the 23rd February, 
 for M. Simon, Consul for France, a collection of fossil and mineral specimens for transmission 
 to the School of Mines, Paris. This collection, though necessarily small owing to the recent 
 establishment of the geological survey, yet contains some of the most characteristic fossils of 
 the geological formations of New South "Wales. It is proposed to supplement these with other 
 contributions from time to time as the Museum of the Department will admit of it. 
 
 In February Mr. E. Farr, then Mining Eegistrar at Bathurst, forwarded to this depart- 
 ment some specimens of fossil fruit, found at a depth of 110 feet under basalt at Beneree. 
 These I at once submitted to Baron von Mueller, C.M.G-., M.D., Ph. D., F.E.S., and L.S., 
 Government Botanist of Victoria, &c., whose description of the Tertiary fossil plants, published 
 by the Department of Mines, Victoria, has so largely added to our knowledge of Australian 
 fossil botany. Baron von Mueller informed me that on examining our specimens he discovered 
 a new genus of plant, which he has designated Rhytidocaryon ; while the other fossils he 
 identified as belonging to species already described from the Pliocene Tertiary deep leads of 
 Victoria. The Baron also very kindly favoured me with a full diagnosis of our fossils, which 
 is herewith appended, accompanied by lithograms from drawings admirably executed on stone 
 by Mr. Arthur J. Stopps, of the Surveyor General's Department. 
 
 During the year, 119 samples of the more important metallic ores and coals from our 
 Museum have been submitted to Professor Liversidge, University of Sydney, for analysis. 
 These comprise sixteen samples of coal, characteristic of the seams of coal worked in the 
 various coal fields of the Colony ; twenty-four samples of copper ores ; sixty-seven samples of 
 auriferous and stanniferous tailings and waste products ; besides samples of antimony ore, iron 
 ore, auriferous quartz, &c. Professor Liversidge's report, I am informed, you will shortly 
 receive. 
 
 I have, &c., 
 
 C. S. WILKINSON. 
 
 I' I H K' A i; V 
 
 l-'NJ VKH.siTV OK 
 
 CALIFORNIA. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL PLANTS FROM THE UPPER TERTIARY 
 AURIFEROUS DRIFTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 BY Baron FERD. VON MUELLER, C.M.GK, PH.D., M.D., F.R.S., Government Botanist of Victoria. 
 
 RHYTIDOCARYON F. VON MUELLER. 
 
 Fruit, spherical or slightly ovate, not distinctly dehiscent, one-seeded, with an oblique basal or slightly 
 lateral attachment, woody or bony, externally wrinkled and somewhat tuberculate. Septum large, placenta-like, 
 erect or slightly ascending from the bottom of the cavity, consisting of two portions, which are smooth, turged, 
 oblique, ovate, or sometimes broadly clavate or roundish, always more or less contracted at the base, mutually 
 connate at the middle, rounded at the edges, broadly adnate to the lateral parts of the cavity, free from its 
 summit. Seed cylindrical, bent around the placental or septal protrusion, oblique orbicular or ovate hippocrepical 
 in outline, with a marginal furrow. Testa, thin, brittle, smooth. 
 
 RHYTIDOCARYON WILKINSONIL PLATE I., Fias. 1, 2, 3. 
 
 Beneree, under basalt, at a depth of 110 feet ; Mr. Edward Farr ; communicated by Mr. C. S. Wilkinson. 
 Found also between Carcoar and Orange, by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, M.A. Fruits, which constituted probably 
 tieparate carpels of a tricoccous fructification from two-thirds to rather above 1 inch long, externally uneven 
 from somewhat irregular slightly concentric ridges, which are often broken up into short tubercules, approaching 
 in roughness somewhat to those of Phymatocaryon Mackayi, probably covered originally by a pulpy pericarp, 
 which in decay would early perish, thus the nut-like covering constituting a putamen or endocarp ; a very faint 
 cleavage at the base, but no trace of valvular dehiscence ; septal process from less than double to nearly triple the 
 width of the walls of the endocarp, except the base and back free from the cavity. Seeds (in all specimens 
 under examination) perished, but their form recognized from the space left for their reception between the 
 dissepiment and the inner faces of the endocarp ; remnants of the testa not showing any indications to intrusions 
 into the albumen. The latter and the embryo unknown. 
 
 This new fossil, so far as I can judge from the material transmitted to me, brings before us for the first 
 time with certainty a member of the Menispermeae among the vegetation of by-gone creations, inasmuch as of 
 this order hitherto only the altogether doubtful genus M'Clintockia (Heer die Fossile der Polarlander, 114-116 ; 
 Schimper, Traite de Paleontologie Vegetale, in, 83-84, pi. XCVlli) became palseontologically recorded. 
 Unacquainted as we are with the flowers and the embryonic characters of the fruit, we must regard it unsafe to 
 place this into any of the numerous genera of Menispermese, distinguished mainly by their floral organization 
 and the inner structure of their fruit ; but the endocarp and septal protuberance show some resemblance to the 
 South Asiatic genera Hypserpa (Miers, in Annals of Natural History, sic. ser. Vii, 40), Limacia, and Nephroica 
 (Laureiro Flora CocMncMnensis, 620 et 692), and the East Australian Sarcopetalum (F. M., Plants indigenous 
 to the Colony, Victoria I., 27, pi. m, Suppl.) The putamen, however, is more rough than that of any of these 
 genera, and indeed conspicuously thicker than that of any living menispermaceous plant known to me, while in 
 its great size the fruit of Rhytidocaryon shows only similarity (and in this respect merely) to Hsematocarpus 
 (Miers's Contributions to Botany, in, 324, t. 134). The leaves are unknown. It is probable that the plant 
 yielding these fruits formed, like most of the menispermaceous order, a climbing shrub. 
 
13 
 
 SPONDYLOSTROBUS F. VON MUELLER. 
 
 [Strobilus woody, globose ovate or almost spherical, with five, rarely four or six, thick longitudinal ribs, 
 forming as many blunt prominent dissepiments, consolidated in the axis of the fruit ; these costae at the vertex 
 furrowed by single grooves. Base of the strobilus naked. Valves, five, rarely four or six, interjacent to the 
 eostae, and by them widely separated from each other, erect, long appressed, fixed at the base, compressed - 
 trigonous, the exterior face in outline oblong or lanceolar-oval, all nearly equal in size, and extending from the 
 base of the fruit to about three-fourths its height, irregularly rough at the back, not keeled nor appendiculate. 
 Cells, five, rarely four or six, each bearing a single seed towards the centre of the fruit. Seed ovate, nearly half 
 as long as the valves, very convex at the inner side, winged around the whole margin, pendant from near the 
 apex of the cavity, to which it is affixed, not always all developed. 
 
 I derive the generic name from ffir6i'Sv\os (verticillus, whorl) and ffrpofios (strobos, pine cone).]* 
 
 SPONDYLOSTROBUS SMYTHIL PLATE II., Fias. 1, 2, 3. 
 
 The fruits of this tree are rather variable in size and shape, but preserve throughout a long series of 
 varieties, the cardinal characteristics of this extinct genus of Coniferse, of which, as yet, but one species became 
 known, described by me in Mr. R. Brough Smyth's " Reports of Mining Surveyors and Registrars for 1871." A 
 short notice of this fossil appeared also in the " London Geologic Magazine" for March, 1871. We had this 
 identical plant hitherto from Nintingbool, the Tangil, Beechworth, and also from Orange, in New South Wales, 
 among pliocene drift. This tree must therefore have occupied a vast area of that period. As foliage of pine-like 
 trees is preserved readily in a fossil state, we may succeed in discovering the leaves, and also get the flowers of 
 this conifer, for which hitherto on other spots a search has been made in vain. This fossil, together with the 
 Penteune ClarJcei, is indicative of auriferous strata. 
 
 [The validity of the genus rests chiefly on the extraordinary development of the columella, if so it may 
 be called ; this columellar portion forming indeed the main body of the fruit. In this respect Spondylostrobus 
 differs from all other cupressineous genera, living as well as by-gone. It shares the normally five-valved structure 
 of the fruit only with Solenostrobus (Endlicher, Synopsis Coniferarum, page 272, Cupressinites ; Bowerbank, 
 London Clay, partly), but, as explained already in the diagnosis, this character of the number of valves is not 
 absolute, though predominant, and thus vindicating the generic value of Solenostrobus. The species of the latter 
 genus are, however, very distinct from Spondylostrobus, should even the augmentation of material from 
 new sources induce us hereafter to unite generically the new fossil now reviewed with Solenostrobus, 
 Access to Bowerbank's illustrated work (" History of the Fossil Fruits and Seeds of the London Clay, 
 1840"), obligingly afforded me by my venerable friend the Rev. W. B. Clarke, the senior of Australian 
 philosophers, proved beyond doubt that the enormous columellar receptacle of Spondylostrobus, on which 
 the valves are sunk, is totally wanting in any of the four species of Solenostrobus figured. (Plate II, 
 figs. 22 and 23; also plate x, figs. 24 and 25; also figs. 28 and 29). These illustrations indeed show 
 sufficiently that the margins of the fruit-valves are contiguous, precisely as in the existing genus Callitris, 
 and its sub-genera Frenela, Actinostrobus, and Octoclinis ; whereas in Spondylostrobus the fruit valves are rent 
 dered discontiguous by the intervening and protruding ridges of the receptacle. Excellent as Sowerby's drawings 
 are, as furnished for Bowerbank's work, they give us no insight into the real inner structure of Solenostrobus, 
 owing indeed to the scanty or imperfectly preserved material, not sufficient for examination, or too precious to be 
 sacrificed in dissection. Another allied genus, Passalostrobus (Endl. Syn. Conif., 278 ; Cupressinites tesselatus, 
 Bowerb., Loncl. Clay, page 53, plate X, figs. 26, 27, 30, 31), may perhaps indicate, in its structure, an approach 
 to a columnar development beyond the summit, but not beyond the margins of the valves, should the central 
 portion of the fruit be receptacular and not valvular. This the re-inspection of the original specimens can only 
 explain. The doubts entertained by the learned Schimper in reference to the systematic position of Solenostrobua 
 
 * The paragraphs in brackets are extracts from " Observations on New Vegetable Fossils of the Auriferous Drifts, by Baron Ferd. 
 
 von Miieller, C.M.G., &c.," published by the Victoria Mining Department. 
 C 
 
14 
 
 (Conf. Schimper Traite de Paleontologie Vegetale, tome seconde, 1870, page 358), are, by the discovery of our 
 pentaraerous conifer in Australia, now completely cleared away. Neither in his work, nor in Heer's still more 
 recent elucidation of some fossil coniferse (Philos. Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 1870, page 463, 
 plate XLI, figs. 10 and 11 ; also plate XLIII, figs. 4 and 5) are any additional plants recorded to shed light on 
 the pentamerous coniferae from Sheppy, as regards their foliage and seeds. 
 
 [In reference to the affinity of Spondylostrobus to existing coniferous plants, a comparison is possible 
 only with Callitris and its sab-genera, because they alone exhibit likewise a simple verticillus of fruit valves. In 
 all the species of that genus, the columella is comparatively small or obliterated, and therefore no obstacle offered 
 to the contiguity of the fruit valves. The seeds, moreover, are never in number less than two located at each 
 valve, often more in number, sometimes numerous, while the valves are four, six, or rarely eight in normal 
 number, never five. Absence of flowers, leaves, and perfect seeds of Spondylostrobus prevent us from carrying 
 the comparison further. There is no other genus, ecorded in the recent elaborate essay on existing conifera of 
 the whole globe, as furnished by my illustrious friend, Professor Parlatore, for De Candolle's Prodromus (pars 
 xvi, 361-521) that could be regarded closely related to the fossil plant here under consideration.] 
 
 PENTEUNE F. VON MUELLER. 
 
 [Fruit five-valved to the base, ovate, globose, or broadly ovate ; dehiscence loculicidal ; valves exceedingly 
 hick, woody, very slightly rough on the dorsal part. Cavity towards the middle part of the valves. Free central 
 axis absent. Cells five in number. Seeds solitary in each cell, towards their summit attached to the inner angles 
 of the valves, turgid, ovate or verging into an ellipsoid form, blunt at the base, more gradually attenuated 
 upwards. Testa smooth. 
 
 [The generic name, composed of we^re and dw)), is chosen in allusion to the five valves on which the 
 seeds are imbedded.] 
 
 No. 4 is the front of the Penteune Clarkei, also of this tree which was a companion of the Strongylostro- 
 bus, but seemingly less frequent than the latter, we have as yet neither flowers nor leaves.* 
 
 [In the absence of any other identified remnants of this doubtless arboreous plant, no positive systematic 
 position can as yet be found for this genus. It belonged however most probably to Sapendacea?, although the 
 possibility of its having formed a genus of the Meliaceous order is not excluded.] 
 
 [This conspicuous fossil is dedicated to the Rev. W. B. Clarke, M.A., F.R.G.S., F.G.S., F.Z.S., the nestor 
 among Australian workers in the field of natural science, who amidst the arduous duties of his ecclesiastic 
 calling has carried on with unabating enthusiasm his geologic researches in this continent for nearly half a 
 century.] 
 
 [An externally very similar fossil has been discovered in Tasmania, by Morton Alport, Esq., at Gerlston 
 Bay, in tertiary travertin. Some affinity of these fossils to the genus Rhytidotheca is evident from the number of 
 the valves, the dehiscence and the single seed in each cell.] 
 
 * Fossils transmitted by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, along with Rhytidocaryon Wilkinsonii. Penteune Clarkei (variable in the 
 size of its forms). Phymatocaryon angulare (with a bi-valved variety). In reference to Spondylostrobus Smythii may be added 
 that it produces (though very rarely) a tri-vctived variety. F. v M. 
 

Plate I. 
 FIGS. 1, 2, 3, KHYTIUOCAEYON W1LK1NSONII. 
 
 1 a Anterior view of fruit. 
 b Summit of fruit. 
 c Dorsal view. 
 
 Fig. 2 a, b Anterior and posterior views of larger fruit, 
 c- Side view. . 
 
 d Interior view exhibiting cavity and condyle. 
 Fig. 3 a, b Interior of smaller variety of fruit showing cavity and coudyles. 
 
 i- Side view. 
 
 d, c- Anterior and posterior views. 
 Figures drawn according to natural dimensions. 
 
rtel 
 
 /ENT or MINES. NEW SOOTH WALES. 
 
Plate II. 
 FIGS. 1, 2, 3, SPONDYLOSTEOBUS SMYTHII. 
 
 1 a Side view of fruit. 
 I Base of fruit. 
 
 6- Vertex of fruit, showing the five valves partly opened, also, the five 
 dissipiuaental ridges. 
 
 Fig. 2 a Lateral view of an ovate variety. 
 b Its top, aud 
 
 c Its base view, the surface somewhat abraded. 
 Fig. 3 , I Lateral views of a .spherical variety. 
 c, d Its summit and base in view. 
 
 FIG. 4. PENTEUiXE CLA.KKEI. 
 
 a Side view of fruit. 
 
 /;, <: Vertex and base presented of a four-valved variety. 
 d. r, f Inner side views of separated valves. 
 The figures are all drawn according to the natural size. 
 
DEPARTMENT OF MINES, NE.W SOUTH WALES- 
 

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