OCCURRENCE OF RESINOUS. EARTH. 407 
The resin is not fossil, but, on the other hand, is appar- 
ently of somewhat recent formation, because the interiors 
of some of the lumps were quite soft when received, so 
much so that they could bedrawn out instrings. Onexposure 
this resin hardened considerably. The resin does not show 
resemblance to Ooniferous resins, and about two-thirds 
consists of neutral bodies. Other New South Wales resin- 
yielding plant genera do not appear to offer a reasonable 
solution of the difficulty, so that it is necessary to seek 
further. 
Harthy nodules are often found associated with the resin- 
ous earth in the locality mentioned; they are sometimes 
quite large and are coated with organic material, and have 
the general appearance of ‘* Black-fellow’s Bread,’ Poly- 
porus Mylittce. Is it that complete alteration of the 
organic material of these ‘Native truffles’’ under certain 
peculiar conditions, has brought about the formation of 
these resins? 
Mr. Angus McKay, of Macksville, to whom I am indebted 
for the material, has supplied the following information 
concerning it. ‘°“‘The substance occurs at the head waters 
of the Nambucca River, at Taylor’s Arm, and is first found 
at a depth of two feet under the ground, but has also been 
located at 30 feet. It occurs in layers of varying thickness 
up to 6 inches, and is found occasionally over an area of 15 
to 20 miles by about 15 miles. It is principally found in 
what appears to have been an old river bed, in which a 
considerable quantity of black sand occurs.’’ 
The material submitted consisted of brittle and friable 
lumps, the largest roughly about two inches across. The 
larger masses are of a friable earthy nature, with bands of 
a more solid resin ofan orange to lemon-yellow colour, the 
laminated nature of which often gives the appearance of a 
woody structure. The lumps readily ignited, melting easilv 
