44 
When the roads to Buchan are improved, the various caves 
thoroughly opened up, and the claims of the district as a pleasure resort 
brought prominently before the public, I have no hesitation in venturing the 
opinion that large numbers of tourists will be attracted during the summer 
and autumn months, even though the caves as yet known are not as exten¬ 
sive or as beautiful as the best ones in New South Wales, the Jenolan and 
the Yarrangobillv. 
I therefore strongly urge that action be taken to preserve such of the 
beauties of the caves as have not yet been despoiled, and prevent vandalism 
in any that may be discovered in future. 
[Report sent in 30th August , igoo.~\ 
THE BUCHAN LIMESTONE, EASTERN GIPPSLAND. 
(NO. 21 ON LOCALITY MAP.) 
By E. J. Dunn, F.G.S., Director, Geological Survey. 
By far the most extensive outcrop of limestone in the State is at 
Buchan. In extreme length it is about 15 miles, and in the widest part 
it is about 5 miles across. The longer axis is north and south. The age 
of this limestone is Middle Devonian, as determined from the abundant 
fossil remains contained in it. In colour the limestone is bluish-grey. 
Bedding is very clearly marked. Some beds are very thick, while others 
are thin. Dr. Howitt estimated the thickness as between 200 and 300 
feet, but from the cursory observation made by the writer it is surmised 
that the limestone and calcareous beds at Buchan represent many hundreds 
of feet in thickness. Careful cross-sections are needed to decide, even 
approximately, what is the thickness. 
The great mass of the limestone appears to be very pure and free from 
silica, &c., though many of the calcareous beds probably contain but a 
small proportion of carbonate of lime. 
In physical aspect the country occupied by limestone is in marked 
contrast to that occupied by other rocks. Though deeply cut into by the 
creeks and watercourses the contour is beautifully rounded, imparting to 
the landscape an agreeable appearance. 
From the limestone a soil is derived that is of strong clayey nature, 
and most fertile, and that yields heavy crops of grain, &c. For raisin 
growing this soil is peculiarly adapted, and also for olive growing. 
For grazing purposes the limestone country is valuable, the one defect 
being that it soon becomes drv, and the grass shrivels up in hot weather, 
unless there are frequent showers. 
Geologically much has to be worked out. The approximate thickness, 
the relative zones of the fossils that are so abundantly present, what the 
peculiar conditions were that caused such a great thickness of calcareous 
material to accumulate over this particular area, while there is such a dearth 
of calcareous material in the surrounding areas and other points remain for 
solution. 
Lodes of metallic minerals traverse the limestone at Back Creek, Mur- 
rindal River, and other places. Subsidences and depressions known as 
“ swallow holes ” are numerous at the surface, indicating that the rock be¬ 
low is cavernous and honeycombed with spaces from which water has dis¬ 
solved the limestone. Several caves are already known and have been 
partially explored, but, unfortunately, most of those hitherto discovered 
have been injured and defaced. On Spring Creek at Buchan a reserve has 
been made around a cave, and some of the timber remains, adding greatly 
to the picturesque appearance of the spot. Some of the trees are being 
