32 
The Salient Geological Features 
OF 
British New Guinea (Papua). 
By A. GIBB MAITLAND. 
Government Geologist of Western Australia and formerly of the Geological Survey 
of Queensland. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
Introduction. 
Previous Observations. 
Coral Reefs, Coral Islands, &c. 
Igneous Rocks. 
Sedimentary Formations. 
Gold in New Guinea. 
INTRODUCTION — 
“ A glance at the map,” writes a well-known traveller, “ will show 
hovering as it were over Australia, a great island which in appearance 
resembles a bird. The portion to the north-west may be considered 
the head, McClure s Inlet the mouth, the rugged mountain ranges 
which separate Gleevink Bay from the Arafura Sea, the neck the part 
extending to the south from the DeGroot River to the Papuan Gulf 
and from the Amberno River to the Astrolabe Gulf on the north, the 
body, while the long tapering peninsula may be designated the ’tail 
If in addition to this, we legard the islands of Talbot and Saibai as 
the feet, we shall then have an interesting specimen of a rara avis. 
This huge bird extends for a distance, in an oblique line from the ex- 
treme north-west to the extreme south-east, of 1,200 geographical 
miles, whilst its extreme breadth reaches 380 miles.”f Small wonder 
therelore, that the eyes ot certain, farseeing Statesmen were longingly 
cast upon this gigantic bird, which in the possession of unsympathetic 
owners might be used for purposes not conducive to the well being 
and peace of mind of those residing in Australia. B 
fExplorations and Adventures in New Guinea.— Captain J. Straclian. 
