AUSTBALASIA. 



159 



The many glaciers of the first order still found in the valleys radia- 

 ting from Mount Cook are the remains of an old glacier-system of 

 great extent. AH the larger valleys running into the main range show 

 signs of a former occupancy by ice. The extent of the extinct glaciers 

 north of Blount Cook had a distinct relation to the height of the moun- 

 tains in which they originated. Under existing conditions of climate, 

 an average height of 13,000 or 14,000 feet of those parts of the Middle- 

 Island range which do not exceed 9000 feet would be required for 

 their production, as they probably originated during a period of up- 

 heaval to the extent of at least 4000 or 5000 feet, when, in all proba- 

 bility, the present islands of New Zealand were connected, and dry 

 land extended to the eastward, perhaps beyond liaoul Island, on the 

 north, by the Chatham group to the Antipodes Islands on the south. 

 The disappearance of these glaciers is attributed to a depression of the 

 land during Pleistocene times, the elevation previously mentioned 

 having taken place at the close of the Miocene, with its maximum 

 during the Pliocene period. Not only are the glacial phenomena of 

 the Middle Island displayed by huge lateral and terminal moraines, 

 roches moutonnees, and blocs perches, but also by a well-defined series 

 of north and south lakes. Mr. Travers considers that there is no evi- 

 dence of a Pleistocene glaciation in the Middle Island. R. E., Jun. 



Ulrich, G. H. F. a Report on the Mount-Bischoff Tin Mines, 

 Tasmania, with Topographical Sketch Map. Pp. 5. 8vo. Laun- 

 ceston. 



The ore-bearing rock is a " eurite," or quartz-porphyry, composed 

 of a white felspathic and mainly quartzose, minutely granular base, 

 densely filled with imperfect crystals and grains of quartz. The prin- 

 cipal mass of this porphyry forms the top of Mount Bischoff, which 

 reaches to a height of about 3000 feet. The tin-ore occurs as an original 

 deposit, in veins and bunches, or impregnated in the porphyry ; and 

 as stream-tin dispersed through surface-drift. The latter is the most 

 prolific source. The drift is chiefly made up of quartz-sand with ferru- 

 ginous clay and subangular fragments of porphyry, slate, and sand- 

 stone, the tin-ore particles dispersed through it varjdng in size from 

 that of a bean to pieces many pounds in weight. R. E., Jun. 



VoELCKER, Dr. A. Analyses of Queensland Soils. Pp. 1-19. 8vo. 

 Lend. [Issued as a pamphlet with other Emigration information 

 by the Agent-General for the Colony.] 



The soils reported on are : — Alluvial Scrub Soils, distinguished by 

 containing, in addition to a considerable quantity of organic matter, 

 the more important mineral elements which enter into the composition 

 of fertile soils. Forest Soils resemble the former, but are more deficient 

 in nitrogen, potash, lime, and phosphoric acid. Bed-coloured Soilsy 

 derived from the decomposition of Trap Rocks, all rich in peroxide of 

 iron, but poor in nitrogen, potash, lime, and phosphoric acid. BlacJc 

 Soil of Darling Downs, a stiff, dark-brown, almost black soil, with a 



