206 ALEX. L. DU TOIT. 



general distribution of temperature increment and variation 

 of such in shallow parts, the presence of abnormally hot or 

 cold waters and other thermal anomalies both in bores and 

 in springs. 



Information should be collected upon the existence and 

 limits of "inlying" high potential areas, of variations of 

 pressure with depth and with time, of the pressures in the 

 several water-horizons ; of variations in flow, the relation 

 of the latter to porosity and the absolute values of the 

 "transmission constants," the interference of bores and 

 the causes bringing about loss of head. Much work could 

 be done in measuring the relative volumes of gases evolved, 

 in determining their effect on the flow, their relative pro- 

 portion in east and west, etc. 



Chemical investigation should be concentrated upon the 

 salinity and origin of the waters, more especially of the 

 marginal types and intake waters, upon variation of com- 

 position with depth, upon the nature and origin of the 

 gases with special reference to the rarer elements, and 

 upon the study of the mound and other thermal and cold 

 springs. 



From the engineering aspect much more of a similar 

 nature might be said. 



Summing up, it may be stated without fear of contradic- 

 tion, that probably no other geological problem is so many- 

 sided as that of the Great Australian Artesian Basin, 

 bristling as it does with puzzles of all kinds, both from 

 theoretical and practical points of view. 



It is to be hoped therefore, that the Commonwealth 

 Government may realise the extremely important but 

 complex nature of the problem, and sanction some compre- 

 hensive scheme for its thorough study from every aspect. 



The discussion given above is merely an outline, and, 

 though the arguments are weak at times and the evidence 



