On the Geological Distribution of Gold. 19 



sented on a reduced scale, gives us a splendid view of the 

 development of auriferous veins in general. Truly, when we 

 contemplate the non- connection of these seams, the important 

 fact authorises the following conclusion: — That the contents 

 of these receptacles of mineral and metallic compounds, all 

 of which contain gold, and are deprived of communication 

 from all hut the surrounding auriferous mass, naturally 

 originated from this mass! 



The next inquiry will now be about the origin of the 

 gold disseminated in the conglomerate. By the appearance 

 of the mass, we have every reason to view it as the result 

 of disintegrated materials, brought together by the agency 

 of water. The evidences for this conclusion are presented 

 in the well-rounded or waterworn fragmentary rocks im- 

 bedded in the mass, also in the globular fragments arranged in 

 the pyramidal exhibition of geological structure. It appears 

 that the gold existed previously, just as it is found mixed with 

 the argillaceous mass; and, where are we to look for the 

 origin of these so copiously provided gold-particles ? Though 

 the neighbourhood of the locality we have here observed has 

 been occupied with gold -seekers for about two centuries, and 

 during the last fifty years examined with more zeal and 

 activity than in former days, the gold-producing veins or 

 lodes have in this valley been found in a very small number, 

 and of such poor materials, that of the three which have 

 been discovered, one only merited attention, and that merely 

 for a very short time. Consequently, the rocks that might 

 have provided for the gold at the locality here under notice, 

 are, at present undiscovered, and the sources for the same 

 remain therefore, among many other questions, unanswered. 



That no connection whatever exists between the gold pro- 

 duced from the Conglomerate and the auriferous quartz-seams 

 and that collected close to this locality from the fluvial 

 sources of the rivulet which crosses through the Conglo- 

 merate and the river bordering the foot of the hill — at the 

 top of which the Argillo-feldspathic Conglomerate exists — is 

 proved by the following comparison : — 

 Gold from the Rock. 



Froni the conglomerate producing 

 gold-particles of a fungiform, irre- 

 gular, rough surface, 14. 10-12 carats; 

 From the veinstone in the seams, the 

 exterior aspect of the metal being 

 identical with that of the above gold, 

 though in somewhat larger grains, 

 14. 10-12 carats, Alloy, silver. 



Fluvial Gold. 



From tJie streamlet, close to the 

 conglomerate, small, rather thick 

 spangles, with rounded outlines, 

 19. 3-12 carats. From the river, 

 rather larger particles, rounded out- 

 lines, clean and smooth, 18. 9-12 

 carats. Alloy, silver. 



