176 



alumina, or any other basis present, which would remain on the filter. A 

 little dilute hydrochloric acid would readily dissolve out all except the precious 

 metals, and these could then be either operated on analytically, or wrapped in 

 a little lead foil and collected into a button on the cupel. The same thing 

 might be done by placing the material in an ordinary mercury bottle, and 

 subjecting it to heat in an oil bath ; unless, however, good means were adopted 

 for regulating the heat so as not to exceed 350°, or a pressure of 120 lbs. on 

 the square inch, a danger of explosion might be incurred. 



The solution of quartzose matters in this manner has been frequently 

 employed, and I do not apprehend the smallest difficulty in its use ; if iron 

 pyrites were present in larger quantities, the suiphuret of sodium produced 

 might possibly dissolve a little gold, unless a little nitre were added. 



Art. XLIIL— Notes on the Geology of the Outlying Islands of New Zealand ; 

 with Extracts from Official Reports. Communicated by James Hector, 

 M.D., F.R.S., Director Geological Survey of New Zealand. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, November 13, 1869.] 



The Official Reports from which the following extracts have been made, were 

 forwarded to the Museiim, along with specimens of the rock formations, and I 

 have thought the information they afford worth communicating to the Society, 

 along with my own notes on the collections submitted. 



1. — The Snares. 



These small islands were visited by Mr. Henry Armstrong, in the course 

 of the cruise of the brig "Amherst," which was undertaken in 1868, on behalf 

 of the Provincial Government of Southland, for the purpose of landing supplies 

 for the relief of cast-aways. Mr. Armstrong made the following remarks on 

 them in his report.* 



"The Snares are in lat. 48 deg. 03 min. S., long. 166 deg. 45 min. E., and 

 under this name comprise two islands, a large reef to the N.W. of the main, 

 three and a-half miles distant, and several outlying rocks. The small island 

 (half a mile long), is separated from the main on its east side by a very narrow 

 passage. The larger island I take to be about four miles in circumference. 

 Greatest elevation, 600 feet. Coast line, very bold. It is almost entirely 

 covered with scrub and trees of stunted growth, the Tupari, Akeake, and 

 Kokomuka. Of M'Quarrie cabbage there is abundance, and of fine growth, 

 some of the leaves measuring two feet in diameter. Patches clear of scrub 

 are clothed with the Lutaki tussock. The soil is peaty, and well mingled with 

 guano, and very moist. We found no water at all palatable, some I drank 

 being quite brackish ; but then, the birds would render the best undrinkable. 

 Those who trade in mutton-birds, would find a visit to these islands, in March 

 or April, prove remunerative." 



"We pulled away for the ]N\E. side of the island, where is a small gulch 

 or cove, the. only boat harbour on it I believe. Thousands of mutton-birds, nellies, 

 penguins, etc., heralded our approach, and to some extent prepared us for what 

 we saw on landing. Once on shore our party was divided, and we commenced 

 our search. I and two others made for the west side, where we climbed a high 

 bluff, some 500 feet high, commanding a good view of the whole island. Our 

 progress was painfully slow, the entire surface being literally honey-combed 



* " New Zealand Government Gazette, Province of Southland," April 11, 1868, p. 51. — 

 "Cruise of the brig 'Amherst.'" By H. Armstrong, J. P., M.P.C., acting on behalf of 

 the Government. 



