47 
exists between the dimensions of the seaweed and the large- 
ness of the seas which they inhabit, thus : — In the Mediter- 
ranean the smaller kinds are found ; in the Atlantic Ocean, 
larger ; in the Arctic Ocean, the long-leaved laminaries ; and 
in the Antarctic, the vastest body of water in the world, are 
seaweeds which have been compared to marine trees, such as 
the gigantic Durvillea. Among the most remarkable forms of 
the marine flora, sailors have noticed some, the importance of 
which is oxit of all proportion with what is seen in other 
seas. These banks of fuc;e spread over the surface of the 
water like meadows, on the green sward of which the foot 
might seem safely to tread, so thick and solidly bound 
together are they. Every sailor knows the one which is 
situated between the Azores, the Canary Islands, and the 
Cape de Verd. . . . Another mass, nearly as consider- 
able — that is, about six times the size of France — extends 
itself fax the Pacific Ocean, not far from the California coast. 
The seaweeds come from all parts, torn from the shores of , 
many lands, and carried by marine currents, or the action of 
the waves, they form enormous vegetable banks, which float 
on the surface of the waters." Search should be made by 
boring only in natural amphitheatres, or localities defined by 
the geologist as having apparently possessed those charac- 
teristics, before being denuded of the surrounding eminences, 
and filled with sedimentary deposits after each period of 
oceanic submergence. Rock-salt might, probably, be also 
found by boring in localities of similar features, possessing 
surface brine springs or salt lakes. 
In the Argus summary for England of date October 7th, 
1874, it is stated, that " Of the large deep lead alluvial 
mines of Ballarat, most of them appear to be now worked 
out." I differ from this idea in tola, and believe that more 
gold will be found yet in many of those claims — by boring, 
as a preliminary mode of search for the ancient gutters, 
previous to the sinking of shafts, and making the drives, 
nece.ssary to bring the treasure to the surface, — than has yet 
been found in even the richest leads below the fourth rock ; 
and leads or gutters will yet be found at levels approxi- 
mating to the shallow depth from the surface, of the old 
Golden Point lead, as worked in 1851, at the depth of only 
18 to 25 feet. If prospecting be now initiated upon physical 
principles, our early mining glories will soon (I firmly 
believe) be far eclipsed by the result attained. As the 
Argus summary has it, "for many years past there have 
been no discoveries of any such large leads as formerly gave 
employment within a week or two of their discovery to 
