course of which for many miles sugar cane is now being cultivated; 40 tons of sugar were made from 10 tons of Bourbon cane on this estate, equal to a gross return of 1207. per acre.

Nos. 6, 7, 8 are the top, sub, and 30 inch deep, soils taken from the estate of J. E. Davidson, Esq., Alexandra Plantation, Mackay, lat. 21° 11' S., long. 149° 10' E. These are characteristic alluvial soils of a considerable area in the Mackay district; they are underlaid by a course pebble drift affording excellent natural drainage.

The crop of sugar from 200 acres on this estate for the season 1873 was 395 tons, the gross money value would be about 11,000l., or 551. per acre.

No. 9. is the surface soil from the estate of Messrs. Mackenzie Brothers, Gairlock Plantation, Lower Herbert River, lat. 18° 37′ Š., long. 140° 10′ E. The crops taken from this estate for season 1873 yielded 21 tons sugar per acre of a gross money value of 701.

No. 10 is a sample of "alluvial scrub soil" from the junction of the north and south branches of the Johnston River, known as Nind's Camp, lat. 17° 32′ long. 146° 3′, and may be accepted as a typical sample of the "jungle covered alluvium" of that river, of which there are large areas, both on it and the Daintree River, as yet unoccupied by planters.

Of these soils Dr. Voelcker, the eminent chemist, thus speaks :

"All these soils are distinguished by remarkable fertility, and are naturally well adapted for the cultivation of the sugar cane. A glance at the analytical tables giving their composition clearly shows that they contain all the more important mineral elements of fertility in considerable proportions, as well as a large amount of organic matters capable of producing by their gradual decomposition, and finally by oxidation, a constant supply of nitrates which, in my opinion, are the combinations in which nitrogen is assimilated by plants."

"Thus it will be seen that the soil marked No. 1, 'best scrub soil, Yellowwood Plantation, Albert River,' contains nearly a half per cent. of nitrogen in the shape of readily decomposable organic matters or a larger proportion than was found in any of the remaining soils.

"It is very interesting and practically important to notice in the analytical tables that the large proportion (comparatively speaking) of nitrogen in the best scrub soil, No. 1, is associated with corresponding large proportions of available potash, phosphoric acid, and lime."

"The best alluvial scrub soils are not only richer in nitrogen (organic plant food) but also in the more important mineral plant constituents. The scrub soil, No. 1 shows a remarkable similarity in composition, and I may add, in appearance, to the celebrated prarie soils of Illinois, several of which I had occasion to examine some years ago."

I gather from the report and notes accompanying these soil analysis that most of the alluvial scrub soils are of great depth. They therefore contain, practically speaking, inexhaustible stores of plant food, and with deep cultivation, and the occasional application of appropriate top dressings no fear need be entertained that they will become gradually less and less productive, and finally be rendered infertile."

There can be no question indeed that the "alluvial scrub lands" of the East Coast of Queensland, are admirably adapted for the growth of any agricultural product, but such products must be adapted to the climate of the district where the settler is located.

The ordinary alluvial land not covered with scrub is also of good quality for agriculture, but of course requires the application of manure at an earlier period in the cropping than the "scrub land."

On all the eastern rivers there is more or less alluvial soil, the greatest extent near the embouchures of the largest rivers, the Herbert, Burdekin, Fitzroy, Mary, Brisbane, &c., but this, though fine pasture land, is only in parts suitable for the agriculturalist on account of its liability to periodical inundation.

The cause of this comparative absence of large tracts of alluvial soil, free from partial inundation on the coast, is that the whole coast of Queensland is one of subsidence.

At no great distance back in time the barrier reef formed the eastern coast line of the colony, and the outlet of the Fitzroy and Burdekin on that old coast line are as marked a feature as are their outlets on our present shore,

Had elevation taken the part of depression vast alluvial deposits, now covered by the sea of the Inner passage, would have been available for agriculture; as it is there remain only those which border the present streams of the country, and where those streams passing through them have cut such broad and deep channels as to carry away with ease the storm waters which may be swept down them.

Large tracts, however, of such alluvials still await the plough of the agriculturalist and the planter.

In the Moreton district on the Brisbane, Bremer, and Logan.

In the Wide Bay district on the Mary and Burnett.

In the Kennedy district on the Mackay and Herbert.

In the Cook, on the Johnson and Daintree.

Such lands are classed as agricultural, and are sold at 158. per acre payable in equal instalments over a period of 10 years.

DIVISION II-Cainozoic.

The information given on the tablet under this head is as follows:

Rock.-Sandstone and conglomerate.

Soil.-Coarse sand valueless for pastoral or agricultural purposes locally termed, "Desert Country." Products.-Gold has been found at the "Cape" and "Charters Towers." Diggings at its junction with the auriferous metamorphic rocks, suggesting great possible value in other districts where similar conditions are found.

Extent.-Approximate, 150,000 square miles.

This division is devoted to the illustration of a geological formation which has, doubtless, at one time covered the whole of Queensland, and it may be the whole of Australia, and which, had not subsequent denudation removed it over enormous areas, would have left the entire continent-island a desert waste. This has been by the geologist who described it (Mr. Daintree), termed "desert sandstone," and is supposed to represent one of the lower members of the Cainozoic group, the Eocene or Lower Miocene Tertiary of European geologists. The map showing the area in colour represents how much of Queensland still remains covered with this inhospitable formation.

The results of the late expeditions undertaken and carried out in the face of immense difficulties by Colonel Warburton and Mr. Forrest in Western Australia tend to prove that a vast proportion of Australia seems still to be covered by this desert sandstone, thus rendering it entirely useless for pastoral or other settlement. Photographs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 furnish admirable ideas of the appearance and peculiarities of the desert sandstone. On photograph 18 are shown the so-called "paintings" of the Australian natives. These, as is abundantly apparent, are works of art of the most primitive description, being simply negatives in ochre of hands, feet, boomerangs, shields, &c. on the surface of the sandstone rock. The object is placed upon the rock and masticated ochre forcibly ejected from the mouth of the native artist leaves the imprint as described. The blacks are very active in adorning the interior of their caves, where the atmosphere does not destroy the work, with these rude designs.

No. 19 is sufficiently illustrative of the way in which denudation has rendered the country suitable for settlement. The huts in the foreground form the township at the Gilbert diggings, the flat-topped hills in the distance being capped with the outliers of the desert sandstone which at one period covered the entire district.

No. 20. Here we have the abrupt edge of the desert sandstone; it can be frequently followed for 20 or 30 miles without a break.

No. 21 shows the ordinary character of the creeks traversing the Cainozoic formation. It may here be remarked that during the summer season water is only to be found in this sandstone country at rare intervals.

No. 22. A cave in the sandstone used by a prospecting party of diggers. These caves are favourite camping places for the Australian natives, the sandstone districts containing as they do abundance of wallaby, a small species of kangaroo, and opossums, thus form capital hunting grounds.

The table cases, which, in this as in the other divisions will be observed beneath the photographs, contain specimens of the soils and the rocks from which they have been derived. The only useful products, as may be seen, are varieties of bark used in tanning, and gum resins taken from the Eucalypti.

DIVISION III.—MESOZOIC.

The information given on the tablet is as follows:

Mesozoic (Cretaceous.)

Rock.-Calcareous shales and sandstones with bands of argillaceous limestone.

Soil.-Marls and light calcareous sands form the vast plains of the "Western Interior," covered with saline plants and rich herbage in favourable seasons. Excellent pastoral country where water is available. Products.-Beef, mutton, wool, and tallow, opals, coprolites, hydraulic limestone, gypsum. Extent.-(Approximate) 200,000 square miles.

Mesozoic (Carbonaceous.)

Rock.-Sandstone, conglomerate, shale, ferruginous limestone.

Soil.-Varied, generally poor sandy, rarely fit for agriculture, grows scrub and fine timber; where not covered with scrub, yields grasses on which cattle thrive, but do not fatten readily.

Products.-Coal, iron ore, hydraulic limestone, fine timbers.

Extent.-(Approximate) 10,000 square miles.

This division is devoted to two separate geological formations, which are, however, embraced in the same main group by European geologists as the mesozoic. The first four photographs, Nos. 23 to 26, illustrate the cretaceous portion of the system, and the succeeding seven the carbonaceous, a part of the Mesozoic group which is probably oolitic. Their fossils, and the relative extent of each are shown upon the map and in the cases of the division.

Photograph 23 is a view of Betts' Creek, Northern Queensland, about lat. 20 deg. 40 min. S. It affords an excellent illustration of the horizontal character of the Cretaceous series, over the enormous area of quite 200,000 square miles, which it occupies in Western Queensland, and at the same time describes the character of the strata composing it, viz., interstratified bands of sandstone and shale, with occasional beds of calcareous lime-stone intervening.

No. 24 gives a faithful picture of the great prairie country in Western Queensland as taken from Marathon station on the Flinders River in about lat. 20 deg. 20 min. S. The soil in these plains is in every way suited for the growth of all kinds of agricultural products if the climate were only suitable. At present they are sparsely covered with native grasses and herbs of the most fattening characters, and the district is noted in all the Queensland markets for the excellent qualities of the meat they yield. Cattle are taken from these downs to as great a distance as Melbourne, where the fat bullocks find a ready market. The splendid condition of the prairie-fed stock may be estimated from the fact that frequently two thirds of the beasts after travelling nearly a thousand miles are still saleable in the Melbourne markets as fat cattle.

A very small extent of this formation is found on the eastern side the dividing ranges, and this in the vicinity of Peak Downs, in the Leicharddt district, and in certain portions of the East Cook. Its soil corresponds in character with the chalk marls and greensands of Cambridgeshire and adjoining counties, and is

At no great distance back in time the barrier reef formed the eastern coast line of the colony, and i outlet of the Fitzroy and Burdekin on that old coast line are as marked a feature as are their outlets on present shore.

Had elevation taken the part of depression vast alluvial deposits, now covered by the sea of the Inner passage. would have been available for agriculture; as it is there remain only those which border the present streams f the country, and where those streams passing through them have cut such broad and deep channels as to carry away with ease the storm waters which may be swept down them.

Large tracts, however, of such alluvials still await the plough of the agriculturalist and the planter.
In the Moreton district on the Brisbane, Bremer, and Logan.

In the Wide Bay district on the Mary and Burnett.

In the Kennedy district on the Mackay and Herbert.

In the Cook, on the Johnson and Daintree.

Such lands are classed as agricultural, and are sold at 15s. per acre payable in equal instalments over a pers of 10 years.

DIVISION II.-CAINOZOIC.

The information given on the tablet under this head is as follows :—
Rock.-Sandstone and conglomerate.

Soil.-Coarse sand valueless for pastoral or agricultural purposes locally termed, "Desert Country." Products.-Gold has been found at the "Cape" and "Charters Towers." Diggings at its junction will the auriferous metamorphic rocks, suggesting great possible value in other districts where similar conditions are found.

Extent.-Approximate, 150,000 square miles.

This division is devoted to the illustration of a geological formation which has, doubtless, at one time covered the whole of Queensland, and it may be the whole of Australia, and which, had not subsequ denudation removed it over enormous areas, would have left the entire continent-island a desert waste. T has been by the geologist who described it (Mr. Daintree), termed "desert sandstone," and is supposed to represent one of the lower members of the Cainozoic group, the Eocene or Lower Miocene Tertiary of Europea geologists. The map showing the area in colour represents how much of Queensland still remains covered wit this inhospitable formation.

The results of the late expeditions undertaken and carried out in the face of immense difficulties by Color" Warburton and Mr. Forrest in Western Australia tend to prove that a vast proportion of Australia seems still to be covered by this desert sandstone, thus rendering it entirely useless for pastoral or other settlement. Photographs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 furnish admirable ideas of the appearance and peculiarities of the desert sandstone. On photograph 18 are shown the so-called "paintings" of the Australian natives. Th as is abundantly apparent, are works of art of the most primitive description, being simply negatives in o of hands, feet, boomerangs, shields, &c. on the surface of the sandstone rock. The object is placed upon th rock and masticated ochre forcibly ejected from the mouth of the native artist leaves the imprint as described The blacks are very active in adorning the interior of their caves, where the atmosphere does not destroy the work, with these rude designs.

No. 19 is sufficiently illustrative of the way in which denudation has rendered the country suitable fr settlement. The huts in the foreground form the township at the Gilbert diggings, the flat-topped hills the distance being capped with the outliers of the desert sandstone which at one period covered the erti district.

No. 20. Here we have the abrupt edge of the desert sandstone; it can be frequently followed for 20 or 3 miles without a break.

No. 21 shows the ordinary character of the creeks traversing the Cainozoic formation. It may here be remarked that during the summer season water is only to be found in this sandstone country at rare intervals.

No. 22. A cave in the sandstone used by a prospecting party of diggers. These caves are favourite camping places for the Australian natives, the sandstone districts containing as they do abundance of wallaby, a small species of kangaroo, and opossums, thus form capital hunting grounds.

The table cases, which, in this as in the other divisions will be observed beneath the photographs, contain specimens of the soils and the rocks from which they have been derived. The only useful products, as may be seen, are varieties of bark used in tanning, and gum resins taken from the Eucalypti.

DIVISION III.-MESOZOIC.

The information given on the tablet is as follows:

Mesozoic (Cretaceous.)

Rock.-Calcareous shales and sandstones with bands of argillaceous limestone.

Soil.-Marls and light calcareous sands form the vast plains of the "Western Interior," covered with saline plants and rich herbage in favourable seasons. Excellent pastoral country where water is available. Products.-Beef, mutton, wool, and tallow, opals, coprolites, hydraulic limestone, gypsum. Extent.-(Approximate) 200,000 square miles.

Mesozoic (Carbonaceous.)

Rock.-Sandstone, conglomerate, shale, ferruginous limestone.

Soil.-Varied, generally poor sandy, rarely fit for agriculture, grows scrub and fine timber; where not covered with scrub, yields grasses on which cattle thrive, but do not fatten readily. Products.-Coal, iron ore, hydraulic limestone, fine timbers.

Extent.-(Approximate) 10,000 square miles.

This division is devoted to two separate geological formations, which are, however, embraced in the same main group by European geologists as the mesozoic. The first four photographs, Nos. 23 to 26, illustrate the cretaceous portion of the system, and the succeeding seven the carbonaceous, a part of the Mesozoic group which is probably oolitic. Their fossils, and the relative extent of each are shown upon the map and in the cases of the division.

Photograph 23 is a view of Betts' Creek, Northern Queensland, about lat. 20 deg. 40 min. S. It affords an excellent illustration of the horizontal character of the Cretaceous series, over the enormous area of quite 200,000 square miles, which it occupies in Western Queensland, and at the same time describes the character of the strata composing it, viz., interstratified bands of sandstone and shale, with occasional beds of calcareous lime-stone intervening.

No. 24 gives a faithful picture of the great prairie country in Western Queensland as taken from Marathon station on the Flinders River in about lat. 20 deg. 20 min. S. The soil in these plains is in every way suited for the growth of all kinds of agricultural products if the climate were only suitable. At present they are sparsely covered with native grasses and herbs of the most fattening characters, and the district is noted in all the Queensland markets for the excellent qualities of the meat they yield. Cattle are taken from these downs to as great a distance as Melbourne, where the fat bullocks find a ready market. The splendid condition of the prairie-fed stock may be estimated from the fact that frequently two thirds of the beasts after travelling nearly a thousand miles are still saleable in the Melbourne markets as fat cattle.

A very small extent of this formation is found on the eastern side the dividing ranges, and this in the vicinity of Peak Downs, in the Leicharddt district, and in certain portions of the East Cook. Its soil corresponds in character with the chalk marls and greensands of Cambridgeshire and adjoining counties, and is