56 Auriferous Districts of 



by Messrs. King and Eoote, (ch. vi.) I am induced to believe 

 that the age of the formations is nearly, if not actually, the samo, 

 judging from the collections that have been made for me by 

 various recent visitors to the Cloncurry district. 



The copper before us seems very much akin to that which 

 occurs on Lake Superior, in North America. Its lead is to the 

 West ; that of Peak Downs is to the South, and that of Daintree's 

 Lynd mine to E. 30° S. Inferences from what has been said in 

 relation to the age of the formations in which these deposits occur 

 may be drawn respecting the new finds. 



The Lake Superior copper rocks are, however, Silurian. It is 

 probable that the new Copper mine in question may belong to a 

 lower stage, perhaps as low as the Cambrian (or Huronian) itself. 

 In each case eruptive rocks are present. Granite and mica slate, 

 with quartz veins holding epidote micaceous iron and pyrites are 

 common rocks In the vicinity. 



As showing how generally Copper exists in the interior, we 

 may notice that M'Kinlay mentions his having found copper 

 during his journey through the wilderness. 



A final remark must be added for the benefit of persons in 

 search of Copper. Through an example offered by specimens on 

 the table, we see how easily the eye may be deceived. Often 

 have I had to disappoint the expectations of persons who have 

 come to me with what they called indications of Copper because 

 their specimens had a tinge of green, arising as it often does from 

 an ore of iron ; but it was not altogether a disappointment, when 

 I stated to the bringer of certain specimens now before us (also 

 from Queensland, Kilkeven, on the left bank of the Mary) that 

 they did not indicate a Copper lode, because it was believed by 

 me that they belonged to what my friends at the Mint afterwards 

 proved it to be, a Gold lode ; the assay assigning to all the highly 

 cupriferous tinting only from 4 to 5 per cent, of Copper, whilst 

 the proportion of Gold was from 1 to 3 ounces per ton, and that 

 of Silver from 16 to 19 dwts. 



In bringing before the Society a very extensive subject, it has 

 of necessity been laid upon me to be as brief as possible ; but 

 enough has been said on this occasion to show that our sister 

 colony of Queensland has every reason to anticipate for her 

 Northern districts a future of success in the development of the 

 Metalliferous riches with which she has been endowed. 



In conclusion, it is perhaps only a natural feeling to express 

 some degree of satisfaction at having been enabled on this occa- 

 sion to bring under notice a region of Eastern Australia, which 

 together with Dr. Rattray's paper read by me before the Philoso- 

 phical Society some time ago, on the Geology of Cape York, has 

 not only enabled me to connect my previous researches with the 

 geology of that distant territory, but has also supplied me with 



