r6o The Australasian Scientific Magazine. [Nov. r, 1SS5. 
Conference held in London last year ; it also gives useful cultural notes, 
together with the rules for the bybrieisation of narcissi ; a chapter on the 
poetry of the daffodils, and finally an illustrated descriptive catalogue of 
all the wild species, hybrids, and garden seedlings known in English 
gardens ; and in order that this might be as complete as possible, it covers 
a period of about 300 years. We have read this pamphlet with great 
pleasure ; and to anyone who may be interested in this charming flower 
it will be of value as a work of reference. We regret that space does not 
admit of our giving extracts, but as it is published in a cheap form it is 
thus placed within the reach of all. It is published by Messrs. Barr and 
Son, at t 2 King-street, Covent Garden, W.C. 
No copper ore was raised in Victoria during 1884, but it is expected 
that a considerable quantity will be produced before the end of the 
current year from the Granya and Bethunga mines. Interesting descrip- 
tions are given in the report of the mode of treatment now adopted at 
those mines to extract the gold from the copper ores, which contain such 
a combination of minerals as to have baffled all previous efforts to separate 
the precious metal. Many samples of supposed tin ore are brought in 
from time to time to the department for analysis, but they usually prove 
to be nothing more than black ironstone. A sample from Neerirn, Gipps 
Land, gave better results, showing 62 per cent, of tin. The total quantity 
of tin raised in the colony during the year was only 44 tons r6 cwt. No 
lead ore was raised in Victoria during 1884, r6oo tons of iron were 
produced. 
The discovery of payable seams of coal in Victoria, which has hitherto 
appeared to be very remote, seems now' to be well within the range of 
probability.. The efforts made during the year in that direction have met, 
however, with no very definite results. Seams varying up to 2 it. or 2 ft. 
6 in. in thickness were cut by the diamond drill in the Cape Patterson 
district, but the quality has been uncertain. The most important discovery 
during .1884 was made at Mirboo, Gipps Land, where a seam about 4 ft. 
8 in. thick, divided by a thin clay parting in the centre, was met with. Two 
specimens of coal from this locality were submitted to Mr. Cosmo Newbery. 
Regarding the first specimen he reported that the coal burnt well and 
yielded a large quantity of gas, but the ash (25-88 per cent.) was too high 
for a good coal. The second sample, submitted by Mr. Norman Taylor, 
gave better results. This showed an excellent coal, the percentage of ash 
being only 6-67, and Mr. Newbery suggested that a further test should be 
made. The Moe Coal Company have been steadily engaged in opening 
up their mine upon a seam showing an average thickness of from 2 ft. 3 
in. to 2 ft. 8 in. of first-class coal. It is considered that the construction 
of the proposed Narracan Valley railway line, which will pass near the 
mine, is all that is now necessary to enable its successful development to be 
accomplished. Only a comparatively small quantity of coal has yet been 
raised in Victoria, viz., a little over 13,000 tons. 
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East, Melbourne. 
