Geological Specimens from Tasmania. 425 
Barnsley, 1th September, 1850. 
Herewith you will receive a list of the fossils, minerals, 
and metals you were so kind to send me, and for which you 
will please accept my most sincere thanks. 
They are a valuable addition to my Museum, and I feel 
proud of them. Z 
I now beg leave to call your attention to the classification 
Ihave sent you, and if you have a duplicate set, I think you 
may follow it; indeed I am sure you may, as regards the 
mineral strata and metallic rocks. 
I wish you to notice description No. 5, Magnetic Iron Ore— 
itis an exceedingly valuable metal, if it can be obtained in 
quantities ; and also No. 6, Gypsum, from which is obtained 
the plaster of Paris, so largely used in the arts and sciences, 
and also in agriculture. 
Gypsum belongs to the new red sandstone, and is often 
associated with rock salt. : 
No. 8, Asbestus Mountains.—This is a valuable forma- 
tion, what mineralogists call steatite. It is employed in 
the manufacture of the finest porcelain. Sometimes this 
mineral is accompanied with native silver; this is the case 
with the specimen you haye sent me. 
No. 9, Roofing Slate from Port Phillip. —This is also 
yery valuable, if you could find a good quarry. 
Nos. 18, 14, 15.—These zinc ores are useful metals, and 
are found accompanying lead, iron, and copper. 
No. 21, Sand Stone.—This rock should be viewed not only 
as valuable building stone, but as a member of the coal- 
measures. 
No. 25, Tin Stone.—As regards the tin-stone, T need not 
remind you of its value. If you can open a mine as rich 
in tin as this specimen, you would be very fortunate in the 
mining department. 
RR 
