January 18, 1917 | 
NATURE 
oog 
ing started the present cycle, which includes the 
modifying erosion of the Glacial epoch, The 
auther’s treatment involves some repetition from the 
sketch on pp. 41-43 to the final chapter on geological 
history (p. 244). His views are opposed to R. A. 
Daly’s broad conception of the Purcell and Rocky 
Mountain ranges as derived from the continuous 
dissection of the folded Laramide mass. The scenery, 
whether of mines or mountains, the rocks and 
minerals, and even the useful cores obtained from 
prospecting bore-holes, are well and fully illustrated. 
In a paper on the ‘“Nephelite Syenites of Hali- 
burton County, Ontario"’ (Amer. Journ. Sci., vol. xl., 
p. 413), W. G. Foye gives reasons for believing that 
the syenites rich in alkalies arose in the invading 
granite magma. in consequence of the interactions 
which converted the local limestone into amphibolite. 
The production of calcium silicates set free solutions 
richer in sodium than the invading granite, and these 
in places modified the granite mass. The field evi- 
dence adduced thus supports R. A. Daly’s theory of the 
origin of nepheline-bearing rocks 
From Australasia we receive E, Riss 
Saint-Smith’s report on the Stan- 
thorpe district of S. Queensland 
(Queensland Geol. Surv., Publication 
No. 243). The granites of the region 
show the characteristic “ bouldery 
weathering associated with tropical 
sunlight and clear starry nights. 
These granites and the finely grained 
more acid types that cut them have 
brought up cassiterite, wolfram, and 
molybdenite. The intrusion is pos- 
sibly of Mesozoic age. In Publica- 
tion No. 249 L. C. Ball gives a 
cautious description of the ‘Oil 
Shales in the Port Curtis District,’ 
where fireclays may prove to be an 
important asset. 
E. C. Andrews (New South Wales 
Geol. Surv., Mineral Resources, 
No. 18) regards the copper lodes of 
the Canbelego district (p. 63) as con- 
nected with Silurian or even older 
earth-movements. He reports in de- 
tail on the mines, which are asso- 
ciated with those of the Cobar copper- 
and gold-field, and lie up-country more 
than 300 miles north-west of Sydney. 
On p. 62 cerussite has by an accident 
become included in the oxides. 
R. L. Jack, with the aid of a team of camels, has 
explored a region between the Musgrave Ranges and 
the 28th parallel of latitude in South Australia (Geol. 
Surv: South Australia, Bulletin No. 5), and reports that 
the country could rear stock if a trustworthy water- 
supply could be obtained. He advocates (p. 35) the 
sinking of further wells; but the forethought required 
in underte king such w ork i is shown in the necessity for 
choosing ‘‘a good season, when water is obtainable to 
enable the first wells to be sunk.’’ The memoir, in 
addition to geological data, contains papers on the 
flora and on magnetic observations. The Government 
astronomer, G. F. Dodwell, contributes maps showing 
the magnetic declination, inclination, and horizontal 
intensity in South Australia. . 
Bulletin No. 61 of the Geological Survey of Western 
Australia, by J. T. Jutson (price 2s. 6d.), is a volume 
for geographical libraries and for any general reader 
interested in colonial progress. Its title, ‘‘An Outline 
of the Physiographical Geology (Physiography) of 
Western Australia,” is well borne out in its systemati- 
cally written chapters. Numerous maps and land- 
NO. 2464, VOL. 98] 
Fic. 2.—Natives working red ochre at the cave of Wilgie Mia, Western 
timber staging. 
scapes illustrate the surface-features and the flora. 
The tropical weathering and the arid condition of the 
interior will impress scholars in our islands, and the 
memoir may well be used by those who wish to illus- 
trate geographical principles by a new and unhack- 
neyed field. H. P. Woodward’s ‘Geological Recon- 
naissance of a Portion of the Murchison Goldfield”’ 
(Bull. 57) is of equal interest through its excellent 
illustrations of the country, several of which reappear 
in Jutson’s memoir. We are thus able to realise sheet- 
denudation caused by sudden rains falling on dry sur- 
faces, laterite caps on crumbling desert hills, and water- 
holes of dubious character. The holes mentioned on p. 35 
have a palzontological interest, since they were found, 
on being ‘cleaned out,” to be full of dead kangaroos, 
thus serving as an example of the localisation of such 
remains in arid lands. Students of prehistoric man 
will note the valuable and fully illustrated account 
(pp. 74-89) of the native red-ochre mine at Wilgie Mia, 
where initiated medicine-men worked the pigment and 
developed a valuable trade (Fig. 2). The association 
Australia, with the aid of 
From *‘ Geological Reconnaissance of the Murchison Goldfield.” 
of the ochre with legendary blood-stains (p. 88) may be 
compared with the story of the origin of ‘the hematite 
veins on the face of Slieve Gallion in Co. Londonderry. 
The New Zealand Geological Survey, now under the 
direction of P. G. Morgan, has issued Bulletin No. 17, 
on the Buller-Mokihinui sub-division, a district on the 
coast of Westport. Despite preliminary difficulties of 
access, and in a district of deep gorges and high rain- 
fall, a large industry has been established in bifumin- 
ous coals that were formed in Eocene lakes. One 
seam on Magatini Creek is 54 ft. thick, and the 
authors, P. G. Morgan and J. A. Bartrum, write 
(p. 155): ‘‘ The numerous magnificent outcrops of clean, 
almost ashless, hard coal in this locality cannot fail to 
arouse enthusiasm in the spectator.’’ This shows the 
right spirit; and the volume also reveals the impression 
made by beautiful river-scenery. The word Graben for 
Graben occurs in several places; we cannot be too care- 
ful when importing such w ords into our geographical 
nomenclature, and we have recently noted the strange 
form dsar nearer home. 
Goon. Je C. 
