Building Materials. 29 
almost any shape, and its cheapness compared to basalt or 
- limestone, render it suitable for cottages or other small build- 
ings, where there is no great pressure on the walls; but all 
building stones of similar properties ought to be rejected in 
extensive erections. 
The Toorak sandstone, as I am informed, is from the same 
formation as that of Boroondara. It is composed of very fine 
water worn quartz grains, and minute plates of white mica, 
with an argillaceous base. It is deeply tinged with iron 
oxide in patches and streaks; none of the specimens in my 
possession being of a uniform colour. The weight of a cubic 
foot is 145 lbs.—the maximum being 147 lbs., and minimum 
143 lbs. It is easily frangible. It may be wrought in large 
masses. Itabsorbs water very quickly, and to a great extent. 
It gains 3°952 per cent. by weight if immersed for’a few 
minutes ; and a piece that was placed on its end in water for 
ninety-six hours showed an increment by weight of 5:109 
per cent. In comparing the sandstones, one with another, it 
will be observed that some very rapidly absorb their maximum 
quantity of water, and others very slowly. The close grained 
sandstone from Geelong, for instance, gains ‘336 by simple 
immersion, but the actual amount that it will absorb, if 
sufficient time is allowed, may be stated at 3-831. 
Subjecting the Toorak stone to the usual tests it is soon 
destroyed. Such of the specimens as I have met with are not 
suitable for building purposes, all of them possessing features 
similar to the above. A small piece that was placed ina 
vessel containing sufficient water to moisten the lower por- 
tion, was soon completely saturated, the cavities of the stone 
acting like so many capillary tubes. With such a stone for 
outer walls a house would be always damp and cold in winter ; 
a matter of deep importance to the health and well-being of 
the occupants, which ought ever to enter into calculations of 
this kind. 
A deeper section of this quarry may probably afford a less 
perishable material, and such a discovery would be of the 
greatest value at the present time. 
For durability, beauty, and economy, the sandstones are 
undoubtedly of the first class. 
The lightness, and architectural elegance of the buildings 
in Edinburgh, which are so famous, are due to the circum- 
stance of the sandstones there being procurable of a superior 
quality. Perhaps it would be impossible to construct such 
edifices of any other material, which at once combines hard- 
