GEMS OF AUSTRALIA. 



On the Gems of Australia, with a Dissertation on Mineralogy, 

 as applicable to them. 



[-By GrEO. MiLNEE STEPHEN, EsQ., Fellotv of the Geological Societies of 

 London, Germany, Cormoall ; Natu7-al History Society of Dresden; 

 F.R.S., Sydney, Sfc, Sfcr\ 



In submitting to the Eoyal Society a paper on the subject of 

 the Precious Stones of Australia, it is desirable to make some 

 preliminary observations. A bare catalogue of those gems, with 

 the localities in which they are respectively found, would doubt- 

 less be beneficial to some extent, by putting the inquirer on the 

 right scent, and thereby sparing him a needless expenditure of 

 time and money in searching for gems in places, or under circum- 

 stances, where they are not to be found ; yet he must carry 

 with him some slight knowledge of the physical character or 

 appearance of the gems he seeks, otherwise he may labour in 

 vain, although in their midst. It is indeed a matter of deep 

 regret, as regards the public welfare, that in a Country having 

 so vast an area, and teeming with the most valuable minerals, 

 there should be no School of Mines, as on the Continent of 

 Europe, for giving instruction to all classes of all ages, — if even 

 of an elementary character, — in the art of mining and searching 

 for minerals. And the observation may be excused, that as it is 

 ever an anxious inquiry with parents in Australia, in what 

 manner their sons can be brought up profitably and respectably, 

 it may be answered that two thousand youths might now find 

 profitable employment, if not wealth, in mining pursuits (which 

 in Australia do not involve the "loss of caste"!) if they could only 

 obtain sufficient instruction of a practical nature, as afii'orded in 

 those valuable mining seminaries, in the rudiments of Greology, 

 Mineralogy, Chemistry, Metallurgy, and Mining ; for what 

 capitalist, or working miner, would not gladly associate with 

 himself a young man, so trained up to grapple scientifically with 

 the real difficulties of mining, instead of trusting to the " happy- 

 go-lucky" system so universally prevalent in Australia, with the 

 exception of a few well-organized enterprises ? 



To return from this digression. "Without presuming to give 

 instruction, a concise and practical dissertation, on that branch of 

 Mineralogy forming the subject of this paper, may be permitted ; 



