26 



OEOLOGICAL NOTES ON KOSCIUSKO, WITH SPECIAL 

 REFERENCE TO EVIDENCES OF GLACIAL ACTION. 



By Professor David, B.A., F.R.S., Richard Helms, and 

 E. F. PiTTMAN, Assoc. R.S.M. 



(Plates iii.-x.). 



I. Introduction. 



In the appendix to this paper a list is given of the principal 

 works relating to the above subject as well as to general evidences 

 of glaciation in Cainozoic time in the Southern Hemisphere. 

 Briefly the history of the geographical and geological exploration 

 of Kosciusko is as follows : — 



In 1840 Count P. E. de Strzelecki mounted the Alps and 

 called one of the highest peaks Kosciusko, from its fancied 

 resemblance to the patriot's tomb at Cracow (53). 



In 1846 Mr. T. S. Townsend, formerly Deputy Surveyor- 

 General in New South Wales, examined the Kosciusko region, 

 and later ran a traverse line along the main dividing line between 

 the waters of the rivers Murray and Snow}^ (3, p. 227). 



During 1851-52 the late Rev. W. B. Clarke geologically 

 examined the Kosciusko region, which he named the " INIuniong 

 Range," and for the first time a definite reference is made to 

 evidence there of past glacial action ( 3 )• 



Mr. Clarke states that " Probably in earlier times glaciers did 

 form ; for I saw more than one unmistakable hloc jjerche, a mass 

 resting on upturned edges of strata." Again he states (o^:>. cit.^ 

 p. 230), " But I am persuaded that formerly true glacier ice was 

 formed on the Muniong, and I have always thought that the effect 

 of it may have produced a kind of gold moraine in places, where 

 auriferous veins came into contact with ice." 



