PROCEEDINGS, JUNE. XIX 



discovered at Mount Zeehan and Heazlewood, he hoped that the various 

 methods of extracting the precious metal from both galena and its ores 

 put before them in a consolidated and condensed form, would prove both 

 interesting and instructive. He went on to explain that galena was 

 almost invariably associated with silver to a greater or less extent, and 

 that when the precious metal was present in sufficient quantities to 

 render it payable, it was extracted by various methods, which he pro- 

 ceeded to explain. The process which Mr. Toplis detailed was mujh 

 less expensive than that formerly adopted. Under the old process the 

 whole of the lead had first to be reduced to the oxide on a large hearth 

 covered with bone ash, the silver escaping oxidation then being separated 

 from it. This process was on account of the very great expense only 

 applicable to very rich ores. To Mr. Pattinson he said must be awarded 

 the palm, for by his valuable discovery he had cheapened the process to 

 such an extent that any lead containing over 5oz. of silver to the ton 

 would pay for treatment. Mr. Toplis went on to explain the piocess 

 of cupellation on the larger scale, and the construction of the cupel, 

 etc. He succeeded in giving those present a very good rough idea of 

 the treatment through which galena must pass before the precious metal 

 could be obtained, asking them to always bear in mind that the process, 

 although a long and tedious one, was comparatively inexpensive. The 

 first part of the process — snielting — cost about 10s. per ton, and the 

 desilverising from 12s. 6d. to los. per ton. He referred briefly to the 

 enormous deposit of silver lead at Mount Zeehan. He believed that 

 before the next year had passed Tasmania would be known as one of 

 the largest silver-lead producing countries in the world, and this opinion 

 of his, he said, was shared by some of the leading mining experts who 

 had visited Tasmania from the other colonies. The galena from Mount 

 Zeehan was most remarkable for its extreme purity. They had lodes 

 there 6ft. and Sft. wide of pure rnetal, which in some cases assayed 

 about 75 per cent, of lead. The lead itself not only paid all expenses 

 of working, but also yielded a large profit. He spoke at some length on 

 the enormous value of the fields, and concluded by expressing u hope 

 that ere long they would see smelting-worksand foundries in their midst. 

 (Applause.) 



In the course of the discussion which followed on the paper, Mr. 

 W. F. Ward (Government Analyst) said he thought Mr. Toplis was too 

 sanguine in giving them one year only in which to develop the Mount 

 Zeehan mines. He (Mr. Ward) thought it would take rather more 

 than that. 



Mr. A. J. Taylor said he fully believed that before many months 

 were over Tasmania would be one of the best silver-producing countries 

 in the world. One great thing in favour of their silver-mines on the 

 West Coast was that the metal was very pure ; in fact, it was so clean 

 that it was only necessary to bag it and send it right away. He thought 

 they were much indebted to Mr. Toplis for the interesting information 

 he had given them. 



AX ADDITION TO TASMANIAN AVIFAUNA. 



A paper in the absciice of the author, Mr. W. F. Petterd, F.Z.S., of 

 Launceston, was read by Mr. MoRTo.v, entitled " An addition to the 

 Avifauna of Tasmania Anxeraiiax MdanoUuca, " the Semipalmated 

 Goose." This bird, a species of goose common in the North of Australia, 

 was lately shot in the Lake district, near Cressy. It was noticed with a 

 small flock that had lately been seen in the neighbourhood of Launceston. 



ANOTIIKH NEW VISITOR. 



A paper, by Colonel W. V. Lecije, also dealt with a new bird not 

 previously found in Tasmania, belonging to the Order of Fly-catchers 

 (Chibia bracteataj. This bird was shot on the East Coast, and the 



