320 Annual Report. 



afford beautiful architectural marbles : its slaty conglomerates 

 are, in some countries, among the richest in metals of the strata 

 composing the earth's crust. 



Though some members of the general series of rock formations, 

 are almost always absent in particular districts, yet we may here 

 look confidently for something analagous to the carboniferous 

 limestone and coal deposits of other countries. Among the 

 fossils transmitted from the interior, there are some which seem 

 to indicate rocks of a newer formation, as is also pointed out 

 apparently by the reported change of aspect which the colony 

 presents towards its centre, and eastern extremity. Every thing 

 relating to these formations is of deep and permanent interest, 

 and deserving of our active research. Besides the general 

 attention they claim from the utility of the pursuit, we have this 

 advantage in the research, that scarcely any form of the earth's 

 surface could render the examination easier. 



This end of the colony abounds with precipices on which the 

 plane-edges of the strata emerge distinctly into light, and in the 

 mountain-passes we have the means of examining the structure 

 of the elevations, of numbering their beds, and studying the 

 effect of their proximity to the surface, or vegetable life ; 

 and the nature of its supply of water has every where over the 

 colony furrowed the country with gullies, having sides bared by 

 annual floods. It were well the Institution suggested to country 

 correspondents a regular and minute examination of the course 

 of mountain torrents, and such chasms as unfold the positions of 

 the strata intersected by them. 



In the botauical department our exertions have had peculiarly 

 a reference to practical results, and herein are we likely to derive 

 benefit immediately and directly from the communications made 

 by one of our Members', in regard of the culture of exotics. 

 We have also, under his direction, to a certain extent rendered 

 local botany a subject of useful and practical attention, by fur- 

 nishing an outline of a local flora, which may afterwards be 

 filled up in its details. In the circumstances already mentioned 

 as affecting the vote for medals, it has appeared to the Council 

 that they would best fulfil your design by expressing their appro- 

 bation, in this way, of the useful course of notices commenced 

 by Mr. Bowie, and they have with this view voted to him a 

 medal, of the same value as mentioned above. But it is an im- 

 portant question, whether the Association ought not to contem- 

 plate wider efforts in regard to this branch of its pursuits. If 

 we should not be able to advance our establishments beyond 

 their present amount, stiil much which we wish to know may be 

 confidently expected from the zeal of such Members as have the 

 means of assisting us. There are many experiments in the 

 culture of different vegetable productions, which those who have 

 opportunity are constantly making, and it cannot be doubted that 

 any which the Institution suggest or desire to engage in, will be 



