BY PROFESSOR STEPHENS. 333^ 



that we can properly correlate the phenomena of the Coal Measures 

 of India and Australia, formations accumulated in opposite hemi- 

 spheres, and different latitudes, by direct comparison. 



The more reasonable course would be, I think, to investigate as 

 fully as possible, the whole question in the Southern Hemisphere 

 before entering upon its bearings upon the analogous question in 

 the Northern. 



But the opposite course has been pursued, owing probably to 

 the far more perfect knowledge which has been gained of Indian 

 Geology by the skilful, energetic and brilliant labours of the 

 Geological staff of that country, than is as yet available for 

 Australia. New Zealand, indeed, and Victoria have set an 

 example which has been very timidly followed by the other 

 colonies. Nevertheless, in spite of many difficulties and distrac- 

 tions the excellent geologists — too few, unfortunately, for the 

 work — who are now engaged in these researches, have collected a 

 great mass of information, out of which a connected history of this 

 portion of the Southern Hemisphere may be provisionally con- 

 structed ; and this paper is a humble essay in that direction. 



To commence with New South Wales. 



I think it may be convenient to give a brief summary of Mr. 

 Wilkinson's report so far as concerns the period in question, even 

 though it be familiar to all present, since inquirers away from 

 Sydney often want and find it difficult to obtain this kind of 

 information. Mr. Wilkinson here repeats that the Lower Car- 

 boniferous beds with Lepidodendron, CalamiteSj Sigillaria, &c., 

 have been much disturbed, being tilted at all angles, and at the 

 Copeland Goldfield, like the corresponding Maitai rocks of N.Z., 

 traversed by auriferous quartz reefs, yielding from 1 to 15oz. 

 per ton. Other beds are rich in marine carboniferous fossils. 

 The Upper Carboniferous (unconformable) commence with marine 

 strata of great thickness, implying long continued depression, 

 which are very rich in characteristic fossils, succeeded by plant 

 beds and coal seams (Greta, Anvil Creek, West Maitland), in 

 which a flora which has been termed Mesozoic is abundant, 



