BY W. F. PETTERD, C.M.Z.S. 83 



intermixed with other sulphates and earthy matter. It is 

 monoclinic in crystallisation, the primary form being an 

 oblique rhombic prism ; but crystals are a rarity. Occurs 

 at the Alum Cliff, River Mersey ; near Chudleigh ; in an 

 old adit at the abandoned slate quarry, Back Creek, and 

 other favourable places. 



137. Glaucodote ( Sulpharsenide of Iron and Cobalt). 



Crystallises in the orthorhombic system. It is in realitv 

 a cobaltic variety of arsenopyrite, with which it closely 

 agrees in crystal habit. Samples of this mineral have been 

 obtained at North-East Dundas which gave on assay 20 per 

 cent, of Co. 



138. GoETHiTE fHydrated PeroTide of Iron). 



This is a good mineral species, crystallising in the rhom- 

 bic system. It may be known from other iron minerals by 

 its blood-red colour when seen by transmitted light, and 

 brownish-yellow streak. It is often globular and stalactitic 

 in habit, and but rarely in crystals. It occurs sparingly, 

 as a coating, at the Magnet Mine; more abundant at the 

 Dial Range ; Blythe River, with hematite ; and some 

 rather nice specimens have been obtained at the Penguin. 

 It occurs at Dundas in the ferro-manganese gossan cap- 

 pings of the silver-lead lodes, and in smaller quantity at 

 several other localities. 



139. Gold. 



The early history of the discovery of gold in Tasmania 

 is involved in obscurity by the unreasonable reports of the 

 occurrence of the precious metal in unlikely localities, but 

 it is beyond doubt that its existence was known as far back 

 as between the years 1840 and 1845, small quantities 

 having been obtained in the George Town district, near the 

 present Lefroy and Beaconsfield goldtields, on either side of 

 the River Tamar. Towards the end of 1851 many persons 

 returned to the island with experience of alluvial gold- 

 mining gained in Victoria, and apparently some of these 

 began prospecting in the Fingal district. It would appear 

 that the first payable discovery was made early in 1852, on 

 the estate of Mr. James Grant at Tullochgorum, near 

 Fingal, the locality becoming known as Golden Valley. 



Gold is obtained as alluvial, in quartz reefs, and as 

 an accessory in copper-silver mining, as at the Lyell dis- 



