282 Scientific Intelligence. 
the beds of clay, gravel, &c., now found in these depressions ; whilst 
the particles, grains, and nuggets (or pepites) of the precious metal by — 
their own weight descended to ihe lowest of the permeable beds, and 
every intermediate depth. The Diggings” may however be conven- 
ientlv classed into two divisions : first, ** Surface Workings ;” second, 
* Pi” or * Hole Workings.” — In the first the gold is either found lying 
on the surface or (much more commonly) is diffused through the grav- 
elly soil to the depth-of six or ] inches, beneath which is usually a stiff 
red clay containing litle or no gold. These deposites are commonly 
on the sides and crests of hills adjoining rich gullies. ‘The second of 
will yield nothing on the surface, 
ese deeper or Pit Workings are of three kinds :— 
1. In the channel of an auriferous creek, at points where the stream 
channel beneath. Here the gold is lodged ina grey clay, which fills 
the chinks and fissures of the slate rock whence the miners extract Jt 
auriferous deposit will also increase in width. Such was the frst- 
of creeks are commonly from three to ten feet deep. They were i 
first undertaken at Mount Alexander. The deposits are richest at pols 
where the stream has been impeded in its course, either by feel 
Sinuiosities or by being crossed by a bar of slate as already mentioned. 
- 4. second kind of deep auriferous deposit is met with in the ory 
gullies which descend from the higher ranges to the main 
oe oy 
