BY THE REV. J. MILNE CURRAN. 175 



and granites I have received much kind assistance from our leading 

 petrologist — A. W. Howitt, Esq., F.G.S., now Under Secretary 

 for Mines, Melbourne. 



ii. Area dealt with. 



I propose to deal with the geology of the country immediately 

 around Bathurst. Every reference contained in this paper deals 

 with localities or sections that are included in a circle having a 

 radius of ten miles, taking Bathurst as a centre. A few interesting 

 features outside these limits will be referred to when presenting 

 points of interest known to me. These may serve as a guide to 

 future students. 



The stretch of country forming, for the most part, the well- 

 known Bathurst " plains " is, in reality, part of a plateau, on an 

 average about 2350 feet above sea level. Bathurst Railway 

 Station is 2153 feet above sea level, and the highest point of the 

 Bald Hills is some 630 feet above this datum. The extreme diffe- 

 rence in level between any two points in the district referred to 

 may be taken as 740 feet. 



iii. Previous Observers. 



The first reference I can find to the geology of Bathurst is 

 contained in Captain Wilkes' " Narrative of the United States 

 Exploring Expedition," Vol. n. p. 259.* In this work reference 

 is merely made to the fact that the plains of Bathurst were at no 

 distant date an inland lake. 



Mr. Stutchbury, who was appointed Geological Surveyor in 

 1850, made frequent reference to the Bathurst district in his 

 reports to the Colonial Secretary. , The only reference of his to 

 the country immediately around the City of Bathurst that I can 

 find is contained in a report, dated " Belabula Rivulet, Carcoar, 

 County Bathurst, April 12th, 1851." 



* Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition during the years 

 1838-1842, by Charles Wilkes, Commander ; Philadelphia, 1812. 

 12 



