2 
Geology and Physical Geography : 
and by Messrs. George F. Ulrich, Norman Taylor, H. Y. L. 
Brown, Robert Etheredge, jun., Charles S. Wilkinson, and the 
writer. 
At the close of 1868, the Geological Survey Department was 
abolished by the Government, but in 1871 Mr. R. Brough Smyth, 
then Secretary for Mines, obtained authority for the partial re- 
sumption of the work, which was continued — first under his 
direction, and subsequently under that of Mr. T. Couchman, his 
successor — by three goologicnl surveyors, Mr. Norman Taylor, 
Mr. Ferdinand M. Krause, and myself, until the beginning of 
1878, when all three were dispensed with. 
As the only field geologist subsequently reinstated, and now in 
the service of the Victorian Government, upon me devolves the 
duty of preparing an essay showing the progress made up to date 
in acquiring a knowledge of the geology of the colony. The 
work is a digest of the principal information noted in the pub- 
lications above mentioned, in the subsequently-issued geological 
progress reports of the Mining Department, and in the works of 
Professor McCoy, Mr. A. W. Howitt, and others. 
The small amount contributed from original personal observa- 
tion gives mo no claim to appear otherwise than as a compiler, 
and I undertake the task fully conscious that a life passed from 
boyhood principally in the forests and ranges within the narrow 
limits of Victoria has not been favorable to the acquirement of a 
scientific education sufficiently advanced to enable me to furnish 
an essay that will bear comparison with those of moro gifted 
authors, who have enjoyed the advantages of regular scientific 
tuition and more extended field experience. If, however, there is 
no geological fact mentioned in this work that has not been 
already noticed by others, there are few that have not been 
verified by personal observation. 
The leading characteristics of Victorian geology were ascer- 
tained by Mr. A. R. C. Selwyn, and a large area was geologically 
surveyed in detail under his supervision. As regards general out- 
lines, little can be added to the information collected by him, 
though in matters of detail some corrections and amendments have 
