177 



worth noting that nearly all of them carry the radio- 

 active minerals, autunite or torbernite, in isolated patches. 

 Several miles of quartzites and schistose rocks are then en- 

 countered ; the schists are copper-bearing in places. 



Approaching the foot hills of the eastern flanks of the 

 ranges highly siliceous rocks are again encountered, and 

 seams of beautifully-coloured opaque quartz crystals are found 

 intersecting the country rock. Fine examples of chalcedony 

 and jasper occur. It is here that the present hot springs 

 occur. The water is not boiling, but the hand cannot be 

 held in it a moment. Sufficient water is ejected to flow 

 along the boulder-and-gravel-strewn creek for about half a 

 mile. Mounds of gypsum occur at the commencement of the 

 great plain, which extends towards Queensland and New 

 South Wales, about two miles from these springs, such 

 mounds suggesting the recent activity of other springs. The 

 whole locality is rich in seams of chalcedony, of which some 

 fine examples were collected. 



