34 CATALOGUE OF MINERALS ; 
far beyond the value of the paltry amount of metal which the 
specimen may contain. Probably difficulties of carriage from so 
many of the mineral districts may be some excuse for this, but a 
lack of knowledge and indifference towards pure science are really 
at the bottom of the question, and it is due to this that we are 
acquainted with so few minerals produced by the decomposition 
of others—such as sulphates, phosphates, &c.—so few pseudo- 
morphous and endomorphous forms, and not even so many 
crystalline forms as might be expected. It will, then, be readily 
understood that I have not seen fit to classify the remainder as 
closely as they should be, but have merely divided them into a 
few broad groups—indeed, the silicates, which should form so 
many important sections, I have only separated into anhydrous 
and hydrous groups- It will be time enough to follow out some 
closer system of classification when more minerals have been 
noticed here and described, and when either myself, or better, 
some more competent authority, can devote the time and expense 
to a thorough search for, and research into, the probably extensive 
mineral occurrences of Queensland 
I have not, in this catalogue, given any consideration to coal, 
as this would open out a subject greater than I have at present 
time or opportunity to deal with; it would require the consultation 
of a large number of books, pamphlets, reports, and private note 
books, and would have swelled these pages out to an inconsiderate 
size; for various good reasons, though with regret, I decided to 
exclude coal, possibly to give it the attention which it merits on 
some future occasion. 
Incomplete though I know this catalogue to be, I trust it may 
be of interest, not only to those in the colony who pay attention 
to those matters, but also, and perhaps chiefly, to such scientific 
men and societies in the other colonies and elsewhere, into whose 
hands the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland may 
fall; and should any such find entertainment and information from 
it, I shall be well repaid for any trouble and time which I have 
expended on what to myself has been not so much a labour as 
a subject of deep interest. 
I—SIMPLE ELEMENTS. 
Go_tp—Comp.Au, but generally alloyed with silver and other metals. 
The first discovery of gold in Queensland was made at Canoona, 
near Rockhampton, in the year 1858, and resulted in a rush at- 
tended by deplorable failure. The colony is notable for the 
