called Sydneia or Terra Australis. 115 
Upon mentioning this circumstance, and expressing a desire 
to examine this substance with more accuracy, Sir Joseph 
Banks, with his usual readiness to promote every scientific 
inquiry, not only permitted me to take specimens from diffe- 
rent parts of the box which contained the earth already men- 
tioned, but (that every doubt might be obviated) gave me about 
300 grains which remained of the identical substance examined 
by Mr. Wedgwood. 
Upon these the following experiments were made ; and, to 
distinguish them, I shall call the first, No. 1, and that examined 
by Mr. Wedgwood, No. 2. 
§• 2- 
Analysis of the Sydneia, No. 1. 
The Sydneia , No. 1, is in masses and lumps, of a pale greyish 
white, intermixed with a few particles of white mica, and also 
occasionally with some which are of a dark grey, resembling 
graphite or plumbago. 
It easily crumbles between the fingers, to a powder nearly 
impalpable, which has rather an unctuous feel. 
Small fragments of vegetable matter are also commonly 
found intermixed with it ; and the general aspect is that of an 
earthy substance which has been deposited by water. 
EXPERIMENT 1. 
400 Grains were put into a glass matrass, and one quart of 
distilled water being added, the whole was boiled to one fourth. 
The liquor was then filtrated, and a portion being examined 
by the re-agents commonly used, afforded no trace of matter 
O 2 
4 
y/4 z 
