exliv 
sent to Germany, because since Mr. Wagenknecht visited Bischoff more 
information had been obtained, not only of Bischoff itself, but of 
the country further south. The specimens, too, ought to be considered 
in connection with the Meredith Range and Mount Heemskirk. 
He believed that some of the explanations of the German professor 
would throw a great deal of light on matters on which there had been 
great uncertainty, especially in regard to the green rock, which had 
always—he did not know why—been called chlorite. The professor 
said it owed its green colour to tourmaline. In confirmation of this 
tourmaline occurred at Mount Heemskirk in chlorite veins, which 
stuck up on theside of the mountain, being harder than the surrounding 
surfaces. It was curious that at Mount Heemskirk this green rock 
was found on one side of a vein, while on the other side was quartz rock 
with tourmalineinit. At Mount Ramsay and the Meredith Range they 
also found quartz rock full of tourmaline. When the quartz porphyry 
decomposed it became Kaolin, owing to the large percentage of felspar 
it contained, a specimen of which he produced. It would be interesting 
to have the paper referred to Mr. Kayser and other scientific gentlemen, 
with a request that they should make some remarks uponit. (Applause.) 
Mr. T. STEPHENS took the same view, and thcught they should have 
further information about the specimens sent to Germany. ‘There 
might have been mistakes which, though no one was to blame for 
them, might have led to misconcepticn. It would, perhaps, be well! to 
forward specimens of rock to which Mr. Sprent supposed the author to 
allude to Professor Liversedge, in Sydney, for his inspection. 
Mr. R. M. Jounston said the observations were well worthy of 
attention. The specimens might not be characteristic of the 
country generally, though found there. The topaz rocks were found in 
a dyke, or wall in the mountain. He thought the typical rocks as a- 
whole shou'd be sent to Professor Liversedge. 
The CHAirMaN said Mr. Sprent’s suggestion was a valuable one, and 
he would, on behalf of the Council, undertake that it should be 
carried into effect. 
2, General Observations regarding the Classification of the Upper 
Paleozoic and Mesozoic Rocks of Tasmania, together with a full 
description of all the known Tasmanian Coal Plants, including a consider- 
able number of new species. By R. M. Johnston, F.L.S., ete., ete., 
illustrated by diagrams and maps which were displayed on the walls, 
and referred to during the reading of the paper. 
Mr. Johnston, in the above paper, deals with many important 
questions connected with the proper classification, and the true relations 
of the important series of rocks in Tasmania belonging to upper 
paleozoic and mesozoic age, which include the upper coal measures of 
the midland ani south-eastern parts of the island as well as the lower 
coal measures, which are well represented in the vicinity, Latrobe, or 
the Mersey. Elaborate tables were prepared by the author, showing the 
distribution of all the known coal plants of Tasmania, also of the fossils 
of the upper and lower marine beds. Sections were also prepared, 
showing the relations of the principal rock systems to each other; and 
the question of theprobable age of the greenstone mountains and tiers 
was very thoroughly discussed, so far as it touched upon the relation 
with the stratified rocks with which the greenstone masses are so 
intimately associated. Mr. Johnston gave illustration of greenstone 
rocks older than the lower marine beds of upper paleozoic age, and 
others again of a later date than the upper coal measures; he is, 
however, inclined to the opinion that the massive greenstones of the 
mountains and tiers have been erupted prior to the deposit, even of the 
lower members of the carboniferous system. Mr. Joanston, in dealing 
with the local nomenclature of systems, is of opinion that the finer 
