BY W. F. PETTERD. 65 
with circular, punctate, brown microscopic fossil spore cases of a 
highly resinous nature, which have been named Tasmanites 
punctatus (Newton). 
The spores yield an oily product in considerably quantity, but 
of poor illuminatory power. As much as 100 gallons of oil has 
been obtained by distillation per ton of shale. In beds of con- 
siderable extent on the banks of the Mersey River. 
The American black paraffin shale has been found to be ex- 
tremely rich in spore-cases of a similar structure and character to 
those so abundant in Tasmanite. The origin of the shale is sup- 
posed by some authorities to have been the accumulation of the 
sheli spores of a species of Marine Alge, similar to that now 
existing in the Sargossa Sea. 
Dana states (“‘ A Text-book of Mineralogy ”’) that this hydro-car- 
bonaceous substance is “remarkable in containing sulphur, 
replacing part of the oxygen.” 
An analysis by Professor Penny (Pro. Royal Soc. Tas., 1855) 
gave the following results :— 
Volatile matters ...... EEL ae ene Maren Pama Jia: 
§ Fixed Cano wesseatsecses Lista cements 5°50 
OKO) Neen sient a) daw ae og 
PULP hUT :.eccaewwraeweseauersecssveesse roses ie °73 
1 08 (ey area een tl ade A he Re AP tp Pe hee K 6 
226. TOURMALINE (a compound Silicate of Alumina and 
severai other elements). 
Crystallizes in the hexagonal system; the crystals when free are 
generally terminated differently at the opposite ends. Comman 
in columnar forms, which are often radiating or divergent. 
Exhibits many varieties of colouration ; in this island it is known 
to occur black, brown, and green. 
Black Tourmaline or Schorl.—Occurs commonly in almost 
all our stanniferous granites ; when in prisms it generally presents 
a more or less triangular section, the sides being strongly striated 
lengthways. It is often aggregated together in radiating masses, 
which are occasionaily of considerable size. 
Occurs abundantly in drift at Moorina, the individual prisms 
sometimes measurine over two and a half inches in diameter. 
Flinders Island, of large size, penetrating the granite rock and tree 
waterworn lumps in the drift, with topaz and large quartz crystals ; 
Mount Heemskirk, in the granite in massive and aggregated 
bunches; Ben Lomond, in considerable quantity, often containing 
Cassiterite in the interstices and closely associated ; Branxholm, 
in the granite and as somewhat small crystals free in the drift; Blue 
Tier ; Granite Tor; Mount Housetop ; Mount Cameron, in fine 
highly polished prisms ; Upper Blythe River, in short stout 
prisms, which are intensely black; Clarke’s Island; Pieman 
River; Meredith Range, often imbedded and penetrating Quartz ; 
