134 PROCEEDINGS. 
top of a serpentine rock. He thought it was a discovery of ve 
great importance, because serpentine rock was found not only 
in dykes, but in mountain masses ; and there was no knowing to 
concluded that gold would be obtained, not only upon the surface 
of the rock, but running right through it. About 20 tons of this 
30 feet shells and other deposits were passed through, and below 
this the petrified wood which was a river deposit was found. The 
iscovery was of very great practical importance, as it went to 
prove that portions at least of Sydney Harbour were once a 
valley ; and if Sydney Harbour was a sunken valley the Botany 
dams were the same, but had been filled up with sand. had 
no doubt that if they were to bore in the neighbourhood of New 
town and Botany they would strike a very good supply of water, 
which would be artesian. 
Dr. Von Haast said he never thought that the theory of Sydney 
Harbour was a sunken river valley was ever doubted ; it was 
proved unmistakeably to his mind, after inspecting the river terraces 
shown in Darling Harbour and elsewhere. He also considered . 
_ Professor Liversipce said the form of this gold closely "he eit a 
that presented by gold from certain parts of Hungary. 1n¢ ™ : 
was not exactly that known as serpentine but marmolite, parce 
: : ; ewha 
sandstone, and above that there was in some instan “re 
which was strongly marked by false bedding. Both t ov 
bedded sandstone and the shale weather more quick 
quickly than 
- compact sandstone ; they recede and finally leave a shelf some 
_ What but very distantly resembling a river t . 
Fens a ote i pW 
x egal Rig e i 
eae eA SS a et Renee ee ae RR Se ee eee 
