58 Proceedings oj the Royal Society of Victoria. 



At Bradford, a few miles north of Maldon, and well within the 

 granitic area, many interesting minerals have been found as 

 described by Mr. Geo. Ulrich*. Mr. J. Hornsby, of Maldon, 

 has a splendid collection of these minerals, se\'eral of the figured 

 crystals being in his possession. 



The Silurian Rocks. 



Mr. R. Brough Smyth's description of the physical features 

 of the palaeozoic rocks of Victoria is peculiarly applicable to 

 Castlemaine.f He says, "The course of the main streams nearly 

 everywhere conforms to the strike of the rocks. The tributaries 

 of the rivers are at right angles to them ; and this system of 

 drainage extends to the smallest basins. The configuration of 

 the surface consequently is in many places curiously symmetrical. 

 Running parallel with the main streams, we see two ranges of 

 hills with subordinate ranges at right angles to them ; and from 

 every little range, oblong spaces of land, ending in low rocky 

 prominences, run down towards the creeks." | 



Though the north and south valleys are in accord with the 

 strike of the rocks, they show no constant agreement with the 

 position of anticlinal axes, but, as we should expect in beds of 

 such varying texture, scoop their courses out of the softest rock, 

 and may work east or west towards its dip. Consequently the 

 I'idges are usually of sandstone, and as the gullies are steep-sided, 

 an accumulation of loose blocks on the slopes and in the bottoms 

 of the valleys occurs, and is apt to produce an impression that 

 arenaceous beds form almost the whole of the series. vj The 

 cause of the east and west valleys is probably to be found in 

 jointing. The long west bend of Forest Creek, below Chewtou, 

 does not occupy a fault, as the anticlinal line passing through 

 Monument Hill can be traced for a long distance to nortli and 

 south, and shows no displacement near the creek. 



* Exhibition Essays, I8S6 ; also Contributions to the ^iinenilngy of Victoria, 1870. 



t Goldfielils and Mineral Districts of Victoria, p. 42. 



% Pee also Smyth Ex. Ess., 1866, p. C. 



§ Mr. Wni. Xicholas, during a series of lectures delivered in Bendigo, says, " iu Castlemaii.o 

 sandstones preponderate." These valuable lectures are reported in tlie Dendigo Advertiser, 

 Independent, and Evening Xetrs, between February lith and August 2Gtli, 1831. 



