SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
Scientific and Technical Societies. 
ROYAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. 
At the July meeting of the Society the following papers were read :— 
1. The Relationship of the Sedimentary Rocks of the Gisborne District, Victoria, by 
W. J. Harris, B.A., and W. Crawford. Attention is called to the comparative neglect 
of a complex and interesting area within 30-40 miles of Melbourne. The Geological 
Survey classilication of rocks in the Gisborne district is set out, and a revised classitication 
proposed, dividing Upper and Lower Ordovician, substituting the Kerrie Conglomerate 
(already recognised by Victorian geologists) for the Oolitic, and adding a new series—the 
Riddell Grits. The physiography of the district is briefly dealt with. The problems of 
' the Pyrete Ranges and the effects of the Djerriwarrh Fault are indicated. The distribution 
of Lower and Upper Ordovician rocks is described, and some account given of. their 
graptoliticfauna. It is shown that the division line between Lower and Upper Ordovician 
is almost a straight line running through Gisborne in a direction slightly east of north, 
and evidence is put forward to show that this line probably represents a fault which is 
shown on the map as the Djerriwarrh Fault. The age is pre-Newer Volcanic, and the 
down throw is to the east. A teatative recognition of three graptolite zones in the Upper 
Ordovician is proposed—(Lowest) Diplograptus-Climacograptus with Didymograptus ; 
* Dicellograptus without Dicranograptus; Dicellograptus and Dicranograptus. The 
probability of a higher zone is indicated. ‘This division is set out only as a basis for 
further work. The widespread distribution of a series of grits, sandstones, and associated 
shales and mudstones is shown, and some account given of their field relations and fossils, 
It is held that—(a) they overlie Upper Ordovician shales with Dicranograptus ; (b) they 
‘underlie the Kerrie Conglomerate ; (c) their contained brachiopods and crinoids indicate 
a mid or newer Silurian horizon, but there is an older element present, the evidence of 
which is strengthened by the occurrence of Diplograptus and Dicellograptus in inter- 
stratified shales. The authors are inclined to place the Grits as Uppermost Ordovician. 
The Kerrie Conglomerate, in the opinion of the authors, overlies unconformably Diplo- 
raptus and Dicellograptus shales and Riddell Grits, and the view, is taken that the 
; annismentts is in part derived from the Grit. Fossils were found in its boulders similar 
to those from the Grit. The age suggested is basal Silurian. The Tertiary gravels are 
briefly mentioned, their metamorphism by the Newer Basalt referred to, and the existence 
of an east and west fault across the southern part of the district deduced from an abrupt 
change in their level, corroborated by a similar steepening of grade in the creeks that 
cross the line. 
2. A Geologist’s Notes on Water Divining, by Griffith Taylor, B.A., B.E., D.Sc. 
The writer investigated several alleged cases of water divining while studying the wells 
around Canberra. A fairly complete description of the procedure at two “ divined ” 
wells is given. One was unsuccessful, and the other merely penetrated below the water- 
table, which was present throughout the district. The writer paid special attention 
to the alleged “flowing streams,” and showed that their direction was contrary to 
geological evidence. He gave it as his belief that water divining was purely a psychological 
and not a geological problem. Four illustrations accompany the paper. 
3. A Revision of the Australian Cicadide, Part L., by Howard Ashton. Since 
Goding and Froggatt’s monograph of the family, published in 1904, many additional 
species have been described, and a number of errors in nomenclature have crept in. 
- Although the revision is intended to apply to Australian species, it was thought advisable 
to include those of New Zealand from the fact that the few Cicadas there are obviously 
descendants of Australian ancestors, all belonging to the widely diffused genus Melampsalta. 
Two new genera and three new species are described, and, with each species, references 
are given to distinct synonyms, descriptions, and especially figures. Where type speci- 
mens are ayailable, the Museum or private collection in which they are contained is 
indicated. 
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