The Winter in and around Lyell 



immediately set about the exploitation of the Coal, Salt, 

 and Basalt. 



On the way down to the river we made a rough 

 survey of the route for the railway, and also selected 

 a suitable site for a jetty to serve as a depot for the 

 loading and discharging of the river steamers which 

 would bring up the necessary machinery and, at a later 

 stage, carry away the salt and coal. 



On arrival at Lyell, we found that the Government 

 had been considering the question of establishing a 

 geological survey, and had unanimously decided to ask 

 us to undertake a reconnaissance of the country to the 

 north, with a view to our permanent employment, should 

 we be willing, in the official survey department, when 

 such should have been formed. 



After some consideration, and having received an 

 assurance that our free choice of route and general 

 freedom of action would not in any way be affected by 

 our acceptance of the Government appointment, we 

 decided to accept it. 



The fossils from the Carboniferous rocks of the 

 plateau region to the north-east now engaged our 

 attention. They had been identified and arranged by our 

 palaeontologist, who did not accompany us to the bore- 

 holes, and he told us that those collected from the higher 

 beds differed considerably from those near the base. 



The Carboniferous Limestone of Western Europe 

 has been very fully and carefully examined during the 

 last few years, and what was formerly looked upon as 

 a single and indivisible formation, has been separated 

 into a number of zones. 



185 



