212 



traces of the finer superficial characters. Notwithstanding 

 this I have observed a series of fragments of forms which 

 seem to me to be closely allied to Spirifera crispa (Hesmger), 

 and S. plicatella (Linn.), Orthis flabellum, and O. elegantula 

 As similar fossils are obtained in the water-worn nodules of 

 sandstone forming part of the Dial Eange and Table Cape 

 conglomerates, it is probable that the conglomerate lias been 

 derived from the waste of members belonging to the group 

 of rocks of which the Queen Eiver hydro-mica slates, schists, 

 and sandstones are representatives. It is probable that the 

 "brachiopod sandstone" occurs in the neighbourhood of 

 Table Cape, but its presence as a bed-rock has not yet been 

 discovered. . 



With respect to the party, 32 m number, organised by Mr. 

 Chas. Gould, in 1862 and 1863, for the purpose of searching 

 for gold and other minerals in the vicinity of the King and 

 Gordon Eivers, it is now of the greatest interest to reproduce 

 an account of the general results of their labours. It is true, 

 Mr. Gould confesses in his report, that the expedition^ was 

 somewhat disappointing, yet he was able to state that " the 

 appearance of the country was more favourable than that 

 presented by any other part we prospected, and although 

 drift- gold was discovered by the party, as in previous cases, 

 in small quantities in river drifts, we were unable to meet with 

 it in anything like paying quantities." 



Steel" grey and vellow clay-slates, resembling those of the 

 Mersey district, occur both in the King and Gordon Eivers, 

 while a gradual passage into the metamorphic rock is pre- 

 sented by the granular quartzites and micaceous schists 

 existing on the western side of the harbour, between Welling- 

 ton Head and the Coast. 



Mr. Gould further states that " it is reasonable to anticipate 

 that all of this may be auriferous, although to what extent it 

 is impossible to say. It is probable that some divisions of 

 the formation may prove richer than others, and that hence 

 the most valuable tracts will be found to lie in zones running 

 in accordance with the prevalent strike in the direction from 

 20de<*. to 30deg. W. of N. and E. of S." He was full of hope 

 with regard to the King Eivor district, having readily obtained 

 traces of gold in minute specks in the bed of this river and 

 its tributaries, for he states (p. 6)—" The character of the 

 slates met with in the King Eiver was much more promising 

 than those existing elsewhere in the district, and I at one 

 time entertained hopes that the favourable appearance might 

 have been confirmed by results. This, however, was not the 

 case, for, although what gold we obtained was slightly coarser 

 than in other localities, the quantity was inconsiderable. 



Seeing that the Linda and the Eldon tributaries of the 



