74 Report on the Exhibition oj Gems, 



improves in artificial light. The yellow light suits the 

 somewhat bliiish-green, and raises it to almost perfect grass 

 green. If this stone proves to be abundant in Victoria, it 

 will soon be a favourite, and bring a good price. 



PEAKLS. 



The exhibition brought together a few samples. Mr. C. 

 D'Oyley H. Aplin, of the geological survey, showed a few from 

 Port Essington ; but their ' orient ' was not good. Three 

 or four, found in the river Yarra Yarra, were decidedly better, 

 both in form, lustre, and colour. 



Whether the true pearl oyster has been found about our 

 shores or bays, I am. unable to state. I was informed that 

 these stones were found in a variety of the mussel. 



No gem was so sparingly represented in the exhibition, 

 whether by native or foreign specimens, as the pearls. Mr. 

 M'Farlane, of Elizabeth-street, and the Messrs. Davis 

 Brothers, were almost the only ones who sent any Oriental 

 pearls. 



PEECIOUS STONES. 



We may here very properly draw a broad distinction 

 between gems and 'precious stones. Every gem is a precious 

 stone, but not vice versa. 



For the purpose of clearness in this report, they have been 

 separated, mainly, though not solely, by their opacity. 



Of this latter kind the exhibition showed a brilliant col- 

 lection of beautifully cut specimens of malachites, agates 

 fi:om Cooper's Creek and the Ovens, ribbon jasper, and blood 

 stones. These were so exposed as to be readily compared 

 with wrought specimens from Scotland, Egypt, Ceylon, 

 India, Germany, &;c. They were mostly cut for brooch 

 stones. 



I must now refer to the detailed account of the gem-stones 

 furnished by Geo. Milner Stephen, Esq., as found in the 

 catalogue hereto appended. I feel sure that he will forgive 

 me for saying, that I consider him the most diligent collector, 

 the most enthusiastic labourer in this department that I 

 know, scarcely excepting even my friend, Mr. Ulrich. These 

 matters appear to have been the leading passion of his life — 

 the indication of his peculiar genius. And his fine collec- 

 tions — by far the finest of any private individual in this part 



