OCCURRENCE OF PRECIOUS STONES IN N.S.W. 261 
separated as Kiandra, Gulgong, Tingha, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, 
Moruya, and Nundle. 
Chrysoprase or green chalcedony occurs in a conglomerate over- 
lying the coal measures at Gunnedah. It is rare ; I have but a 
single example in my cabinets. 
Jasper is abundant in oo fee of ge colony, sage plains of 
the interior, granitic and I 'y excepted. 
It is curious to note that rather ack and iigcectneiied jasper is 
found in the vicinity of Silurian limestones, particularly about 
Molong. Vast quantities are derived from a belt of rock that can 
be traced from Moonbi to Bingara. I have found good water- 
worn jasper ten miles east of Narrabri, have never seen any 
use made of this stone. 
Chalcedony is abundant in the northern and western districts, 
but no really good examples have come under my notice. Remark- 
ably fine slates of chalcedony mamillated on the upper surface are 
found near Walcha, but beautiful as they are they hardly come 
under the heading of precious stones. 
Agate.—We are so accustomed to see beautiful agate in the 
shape of agate mortars, pen handles, and various ornaments—the 
work of the Oberstein mills—that we can only with difficulty class 
those hitherto found in New South Wales as precious stones. 
One is safe in saying that tons of agate could be collected at 
Werris Creek and Narrabri, but in every ton there would be not 
more than two or three specimens worth the attention of a collector, 
not to speak of a dealer in precious stones, 
Serpentine.—Some at least of our serpentines deserve to rank 
48 precious stones. Quite recently a serpentine of a rich leaf-green 
colour has been discovered at Whitney Green, near Orange. The 
rich colour of this stone is unique. But the slabs sent me were 
not more than a few inches square. Should any quantity of the 
material be available it will find a ready market. 
There is a serpentine at Port Macquarie that might well be 
considered a precious stone, from its fine colour, texture, and 
* 
