ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. ee | j 
was dying ; but after a rest of an hour I proceeded, and came 
with difficulty through a dense scrub, masses of fallen trees and 
swampy ground, with blocks of gneissiform and concretionary 
granite to Burramungee and Narramplat, and then to Theroton, 
and camped under a peak of Muniong, near Kosciusco. I lay ill 
for several hours in a hollow—under the shadow ‘of a great rock 
in a weary land,’ and then proceeded to do what I conld. Four 
thunderstorms passed over us, grand from our position, which 
commanded the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. 
The night was fine, but chilly at dawn; and such a sunrise greeted 
my eyes as I shall not speedily see rivalled. I lay facing the east, 
and saw all the process of dressing the day, and wished I had been 
_ a Turner to have transferred the tints of that glorious drapery, in 
which morning marched along the horizon, to the canvas.” Need 
T call your attention to this exemplification of the ruling passion, 
which made our explorer, when struggling painfully onwards, and 
even as he thought face to face with death, still watchful and 
observant of every geological feature by the way, and able to 
identify and in due course record, the “blocks of gneissiform and 
concretionary granite” that obstructed his path. 
The time that I have at command on this occasion prevents 
me following further the continued labours of Mr. Clarke 
in laying open the metallic treasures of this country ; and in con- 
cluding this section I will quote the words with which he closes 
his volume of “Researches” :—‘‘ For myself I only ask for that 
acknowledgment which my own share in the advancement of the 
Colonies may receive from impartial judges; and if that ac- 
knowledgment declares that under difficulties, without scientific 
aid, without sympathy, and in spite of a thousand inconveniences, 
I did my part up to 1851 asa loyal citizen of the land in which 
I dwell, I shall be satisfied.” That acknowledgment I feel sure 
_ that this Society will heartily accord. 
_ Another geological question with which Mr. Clarke’s name is 
inseparably connected refers to the age of our coal-fields, but to 
_ this I can give little more than a passing notice. It was chiefly, I 
