Notes on the Gold-field of Ballarai. 
419 
2. " Third rock." — A fine-grained felspathic trap. 
3. " White clay below third rock." — A white coloured stiff 
clay. 
4. " Drift below white clay." — Consisting of bits of brown 
clay and angular fragments of quartz. 
5. " Brown clay, below the drift." — A stiff and almost 
compact brown clay. 
6. Fossil wood or " Lignite," as it has been erroneously 
named. This specimen (apparently a portion of the trunk 
of a tree) is irregularly flattened in shape, and measures 3J 
inches across, by IJ inch in greatest thickness. There is a 
coating of fossil wood round the outside of the specimen, 
in a brown or partially carbonised state, showing, however, 
a distinct wavy and fibrous structure, especially on the 
rounded side, probably the outside of the trunk, the bark 
being removed. The central part is filled with a fine-grained 
felspathic trap, similar in general appearance to the speci- 
men of the third rock. Attempts were made to prepare 
sections of the wood for examination by the microscope, 
which its friable character rendered very difficult. Little 
information, however, could be gained beyond its woody 
tissue, the great breadth or size of its medullary rays, 
and the apparent presence of resin or bitumen among its 
fibres. The specimens were also examined by Mr John 
Sadler, of the Botanical Society, who stated he could find 
no traces of coniferous structure, and that the great size 
of the medullary rays reminded him more of the wood of 
our genus Quercus (oak) than any other wood. 
The specimens were given to Professor Duns for the 
Museum of the New College.] 
Thanks were given to the office-bearers. The Society then 
adjourned to the commencement of next Winter Session. 
