THE DAYLESFORD GOLD-FIELD. 
By E. /. Dunn , E.G.S., Director , Geological Survey . 
The survey being: made of the anticlines in the Daylesford district 
shows that the Ordovician strata are bent into a series of anticlines and 
synclines. The strike of the axiail lines is about N. 25 deg. W. (mag.). 
A very accurate geological map of this area was made by the late Mr. 
Norman Taylor, and when the anticlines are inserted on this, and the 
alluvial workings are also laid down, a most valuable guide for the de¬ 
velopment of the quartz reef resources of this district will have been 
prepared. 
In a width of 5 miles N.E. from Hepburn, 37 anticlines have been 
already located. The rocks consist of slates, mudstones, and sandstones, 
with occasional bands of grit and of quartzite. They appear to belong 
to the upper portion of the Castlemaine zone, and to still higher beds. 
Graptolites occur that correspond with those in the Castlemaine zone. In 
colour the rocks are generally grey, with grey soil, except at and near 
the anticlines, where the lower beds are brought up to the surface. Along 
portions of the anticlines the rocks are of yellow colour, with yellowish 
soil, in places of a reddish tint, the soil corresponding in colour. Some 
dykes occur near the anticlines, and others occur crossing the strike of 
the beds. They are generally so decomposed that their true character 
is not discernible. 
Daylesford was formerly celebrated for its rich alluvial deposits, 
which cover a wide area of country. The relation of these auri¬ 
ferous alluviums to the anticlines is being determined. Although so 
many anticlines have been located it does not follow that saddle feefs 
also occur, and except in one or two cases these have not been noticed. 
It is quite possible that where the same anticline passes through one zone 
or horizon, the rocks may be of such a nature as not to be favorable to the 
formation of saddle reefs, while at another horizon, or different zone 
in the same anticline, the beds would be favorable, and saddle reefs would 
occur. 
Mitchell’s shaft (Cornish United Mine)) at 720 feet is in centre 
•country, or right on the anticline. The old Cornish lode is cut at 150 
feet E. In the cross-cut, the reef is dipping W., and crossing the beds 
which dip E. Along the reef 43 feet N. of the cross-cut the mixed quartz 
and slate is 3 feet thick. Iron pyrites is abundantly present. 
At the 550-ft. level 50 feet S. of the shaft and overhead, a. group of 
spurs, which closely simulates a true saddle reef, is being worked along the 
anticline. In places a spur will follow between the beds for some distance, 
and the quartz is laminated as in genuine saddle reefs and the legs from 
them, but in other places the spurs cross through the slate beds, and 
through the sandstone bed, which is just below the group of spurs. .The 
spurs are being worked for a width of about 6 feet, and to a height of 
about! 4 feet, and the whole of the material is sent 1 to the crushing plant. 
The anticline pitches southward at angles ranging from 7 cleg, to 17 deg. 
These spurs are worked above the 535-ft. level, and down on the pitch 
below the 560-ft. level. There are no proper “ backs ” from this group 
of spurs, and no' 11 legs 1 extending downwards from them. This group 
of spurs is of unusual character, and accentuates the importance of centre 
country from a mining stand-point. 
Below the spurs is a bed of hard sandstone, while above them are 
thin alternating beds of grey and black mudstone that are contorted and 
serrated in cross section through compression. 
