290 w. j. c. ross. 



marble exists at various places around Bathurst, but the Fernbrook 

 limestone is decidedly rich in fossils, although it has no doubt 

 undergone considerable alteration since it was first formed. 



The Limekilns area as a whole appears never to have been 

 systematically examined geologically, and, as it has already yielded 

 a considerable variety of fossils, while many more will probably 

 be obtained as the various beds are opened out, a short account 

 of the stratigraphy of the district may be of interest. A summary 

 of the character of the limestone will be given as a preliminary, 

 and also some notes on the other marbles and limestones found 

 around Bathurst. 



Petrography of Bathurst Limestones. 



A series of specimens is exhibited herewith, which will show 

 the great variety of ornamental stone existing in this district. 

 Taking the Fernbrook stone first, we find it extremely varied in 

 appearance, scarcely two specimens being alike. It exhibits all 

 shades of colour, from pure white to deep red, occasionally passing 

 into a bluish slate colour and even to black. In many instances 

 it appears to be brecciated, consisting of angular fragments 

 cemented together by calcite. In other cases it is compact but 

 with various shades of red in blotches and streaks, while sections 

 of fossils sometimes show out in a striking manner. When tested 

 with acids, it effervesces freely, but when dissolved leaves a 

 moderate amount of insoluble residue, while the solution is found 

 to contain a good deal of magnesium in addition to calcium. I 

 have not yet made a thorough quantitative analysis of the stone. 



The Fernbrook stone has probably resulted from the alteration 

 of limestones similar to those occurring in the neighbourhood, but 

 these, in the main, are of very different appearance, consisting of 

 massive limestones of a bluish tint, mostly rather dark when 

 broken or polished, but weathering to a lighter colour. Several 

 places are already known, however, where they also become red, 

 remaining massive and generally differing in appearance from the 

 variegated stone. The term " Fernbrook " is usually applied to 



