PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION C. 461 
the Government geologist of New South Wales, to be probably 
the equivalents of the Greta coal-measures, (see appendix note 1), 
as evidenced by the invariable association of kerosene shale, or: 
cannel coal, with these measures. The unworked areas of these 
Paleozoic coal-measures are estimated to contain between 
130,000,000,000 and 150,000,000,000 (one hundred and thirty 
thousand and one hundred and fifty thousand million) tons of 
coal (see appendix, note 2), a quantity more than equal to all 
the accessible unworked coal of Great Britain, assuming 4000: 
feet to be the limit down to which coal can be profitably worked, 
and not taking into account seams of less than three feet in 
thickness. The quantity of unworked coal in Queensland in 
similar formations is very vast, but the measures have as yet been 
so little tested that it is impossible to form even an approximate 
estimate of their coal contents. These Permo-Carboniferous coal- 
measures have no equivalents in Victoria, unless, as shown by 
Professor A. R. C. Selwyn and Reginald A. F. Murray, F.G.S., 
the Government geologist of Victoria, undenuded patches of them 
may occur under the newer formations of Western Port, South 
Gippsland, Cape Otway and Wannon. Possibly the Bacchus 
Marsh sandstone, containing Gangamopteris, may be the equivalent 
of part of the New South Wales Permo-Carboniferous system, as 
that plant occurs in abundance in New South Wales at the 
Ward’s River coalfield, associated with Glossopetris and produc- 
tive coal seams. (See appendix, note 3). 
The author agrees with the opinion expressed by Mr. Murray, 
that it is improbable that the Permo-Carboniferous coal of New 
South Wales will be found in Victoria, except perhaps at great 
depths, beneath the newer formations of Mesozoic age, from 
which the local supplies of coal in Victoria are at present being 
chiefly obtained. The possible contemporaneity, however, of the 
Bacchus Marsh sandstone with some part of the Permo-Car- 
boniferous system of New South Wales suggests the possibility 
that coal seams of the same age as those of New South Wales 
may yet be discovered in association with these Bacchus Marsh 
sandstones, but at present concealed under newer formations, 
whether volcanic or sedimentary. The line of country between 
Bacchus Marsh and Williamstown might perhaps be a favourable 
one to prospect, especially if prospecting were commenced at the 
Bacchus Marsh end of the line. In New Zealand the Permo- 
Carboniferous system has probably no exact representative, but 
in Tasmania the Mersey coal-measures. are probably the equiva- 
lents of some part of it. 
3RD SysteM.—The close of the Permo-Carboniferous period in. 
New South Wales is marked by a. strong break in the flora. 
indicating a vast interval of time. 
