134 Coal-Seams of Van Biemens Land. 



and contorted clay-slates and sandstones : wherever these 

 do not come to the surface, the hottom of the valley seems 

 exclusively occupied hy hard dark augitic basalt, often 

 becoming scoriaceous and vesicular. 



These basalts are evidently of more recent date than the 

 crystalline greenstones associated with the carboniferous 

 beds. In lithological character they precisely resemble the 

 basalts and lavas which form many of the extensive plains of 

 Victoria. Here also, as there, they form a fine rich agri- 

 cultural country, openly timbered, rather flat, and covered 

 with a stiff black soil, and I have little doubt are of the 

 same geological age, viz., tertiary or post-tertiary : they 

 have, as in many similar instances in Victoria, evidently 

 flowed in a molten state through the present valley. 



I had no opportunity of visiting the diggings near Fingal, 

 but was much struck when passing over the country occupied 

 by the old clay-slates and sandstones with their resemblance 

 to the auriferous rocks of Victoria, and the promising aspect 

 of the very numerous quartz veins which every where traverse 

 them in all directions ; and I have little doubt that gold will 

 eventually be found along many portions of the South Esk 

 Valley. 



6.— THE COAL-WOKKS ON THE MERSEY 

 AND DON. 



The principal works which have been executed in search- 

 ing for Coal in the above Districts are those of the Mersey 

 Coal Company, of Mr. Williams, and of Messrs. Dean and 

 Denny. 



The Mersey Coal Company have expended upwards of 

 j614,000 ; and the works executed are, one shaft between 

 250 and 300 feet, and numerous bore-holes. 



Up to the period of my visit they had not succeeded in 



