198 ESTABLISHMENT OF A GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 
enemies, the dryness of the grass and herbage towards the 
end of the season, and their own voracity—leading them to 
devour each other at all times and more particularly when 
pressed by hunger. This is a propensity that all the rat tribe 
are given to, and is no small factor in decreasing the numbers 
under such circumstances as I have narrated. 
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GEOLOGICAL 
SURVEY IN QUEENSLAND; 
BY 
R. C. RINGROSEH, M.A. 
THE object of the present paper is to point out the practical and 
scientific value of an organised geological survey for the colony 
of Queensland. In doing this the writer proposes to sketch 
very briefly what has already been done in the investigation of 
the geology of the colony, and to introduce the whole question of 
the value of a systematic study of the science of geology in a 
colony as rich in mineral wealth as this is, and to show that in 
most civilised countries the value of a permanent geological 
survey is recognised. The aim of the paper is chiefly sugges- 
tive, and his object will have been gained if it cain result in 
such a discussion of this matter, as will lead to the permanent 
establishment, by the Government of this colony, of a regular 
geological survey. Moreover, a question of this nature is one 
which the writer ventures to think may be very well brought 
before this Society and discussed, as it involves the whole 
future of a branch of science which is more likely to prove 
practically useful in a colony like this than any other. 
