Abstract
THESE reports are models of what such statistical reports should be; the tables are methodically arranged, easy of reference, and apparently exhaustive; the printing would be creditable even to a London printer. In the firmer, besides the interesting summary and the appendices, there are fifty-three admirably constructed tables, setting forth the statistics, from every possible point of view, of the mining operations in all the districts, divisions, and subdivisions of Victoria for the year 1870. Of course tie statistics relate mainly to gold, the metal most sought after; but all obtainable information is likewise given with reference to whatever other mineral produces are found in the province—silver, tin, copper, antimony, lead, cobalt, manganese, coal, &c. Every means has been taken to make the statistics reliable, and the result, with regard to gold, is that there has been a falling off of the produce in 1870, as compared with 1869, to the extent of upwards of 40,000 0z., which decrease is largely accounted for by the heavy and unprecedented floods of 1870 interrupting the mining operations,the decrease in the number of mines, and the falling off in the yield of gold from several of the deeper alluvial mines. It is stated that during 1870 several scientific gentlemen volunteered to deliver to the miners gratuitously lectures on subjects connected with mining, but received no encouragement from the district authorities, who seem not to have thought it worth their while to provide a room. The interests of science are, however, by no means neglected. We learn fiom these reports that during last year more than 800 groups of minerals, rocks, and fo-sils, were added to the collection of the mining department. Efforts have also been made to obtain specimens of the mineral products of other countries in exchange for native products. Another colony is now likely to reap a rich reward, as already many specimens have been sent both from Europe and America. We are glad to iearn that Dr. Von Mueller is preparing a report on the large collection of native fossils which has been made. The second report, for the quarter ending March 31, 1871, is considerably more interesting than the former, in a scientific point of view. Besides full and valuable mining statistics, there are two appendices: (A) “Notes on the Rocks and Minerals of the Owen's District,” with a sketch map, by Mr. E. J. Dunn, containing much valuable information on the geology of the district; (B) an interesting paper containing succinct observations on what the author, Ferd. Von Mueller, Director of the Melbourne Botanic Garden, considers a new genus of Fossil Conif ræ, to which he has given the name Spondylostrobits. It is allied to Cupressinites of Bowerbank. We are sorry we have not space to copy the authors description. The validity of the genus, Mr. Mueller declares, rests chiefly on the extraordinary development of the columella, if so it may be called; this columellar portion forming indeed the main body of the fruit, the so-called new genus differing in this respect from all other cupressineous genera living as well as extinct. The paper is illustrated by a beautifully executed lithograph, containing several coloured figures, natural size, of the fossil, and also by a plan of the field, and sections of the strata in which it is found. We have much pleasure in commending these interesting, and on the whole, encouraging reports, to the notice both of statisticians and geologists.
Victoria. (1) Mineral Statistics of Victoria for the year 1870.
Presenteclto both Houses of Parliament by his Excellency's command. (Melbourne: By authority: John Ferres, Government Printer.)
(2) Reports of the Mining Surveyors and Registrars.
Quarter ending March 31, 1871.(Melbourne: By authority: John Ferres, Government Printer.)
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Victoria (1) Mineral Statistics of Victoria for the year 1870 (2) Reports of the Mining Surveyors and Registrars . Nature 4, 365 (1871). https://doi.org/10.1038/004365b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/004365b0