internal heat or terrestrial galvanism, in the hardening of the strata, altera- tion of their texture, and introduction of veins and concretions of foreign substances, most abundantly exempli- fied in quartzose and ferruginous matter. The protuberances of these ranges seem to have been preserved from deg- radation and decay by the presence of these metamorphosed minerals; while the lower regions, being composed of softer materials, have proved to be sensible to the impressions of the usual dissolvents, viz., water, atmosphere, and time.

The minerals found in these ranges are porphyry, cherts, greenstone, breccias, and conglomerates. I have no where observed the true basalt, which may be termed the lava of ancient epochs, and so commonly disclosed in many districts of Great Britain and Ireland. On the contrary, here all development of subterraneous action is to be found in the crystalline (popularly called primary) rocks, and in the metamorphosed formations above no- ticed. On the plains and lower levels aqueous or sedimentary formations, as might be expected, prevail. The de- posits of the present era are found in the shingle transported by water, from the high lands to the valleys, and in the vegetable deposits formed on the de- pressions not coming under the influence of the above action, but which a small change of level would in most cases have the effect of covering by shingle deposits of the rivers. Thus the Sea- ward Moss, covering 72 square miles of country by slight alterations in the courses of the Mataura and Oreti (both shingle transporting rivers), might, in a short geological epoch, be overrun by their deposits, which would have the effect of pressing down the vegetable matter to the consistency of the older beds found in the same district, and produced in the same manner.

Of the older formations of these plains, indications are brought to view by the scooping action of the rivers, also by land slips; thus the Mataura, 24 miles from its mouth, makes inter- esting disclosures of shingle strata, lig- nite, limestone, and shales, the latter containing fossil ferns. Here, at a prior epoch, had been a shingle transporting river, delivering its contents next a moss, then a depression under the sea level, and afterwards a rise to the present state.

Of useful minerals in the plains and low lands, limestone was observed 12 miles from the mouth of the Waiau, at the west base of Twinlaw Range, at the east of Mount Pleasant, in the vicinity of Waimatook Moss, on the south slopes of the Taringatura Downs, and near the falls of the Mataura. The limestone abounds in fossil shells, amongst which were noticed shells resembling the Terrebatula Forrecta, and the Pecten Lugdunensis of Great Britain; the former in that region be- longing to the Devonian group, and the latter to the Lias.

I am not aware what has been done in New Zealand towards classifying the fossils, or towards initiating a theory of the superposition of strata founded on the classes of fossils. It appears to me that considering the want of analogy between the existing animal and vegetable creations of the Antipodes, that it is but reasonable to suppose that in prior ages the same want of similarity obtained; consequently no theory can be ventured on, excepting from local observation and classification, a desideratum highly desirable.

Granite of excellent quality exists at the Bluff which might be adapted to building purposes. The limestone at the Waiau gorge is also of excellent quality for the same object, and brick earths everywhere prevail. The beds of sea shells in Bluff and New River estuaries will supply to any extent mortar or cement.

The existence of Coal has often been hinted at, but the only bed approach- ing to the qualities of this fuel, that I have met with, is on the Mataura, near Tuturau, and that is very inferior. At greater depths no doubt better may be met with, and the geological formations would tend to this conclusion; but I do not think there is sufficient indica- tions to warrant the retention by Go- vernment of any tracts of land on ac- count of the supposed existence of the mineral.

The existence of Gold is undoubted; a fact first brought to light by Mr. Ligar, Surveyor-General of New Zea- land. The principal specimens yet found have been obtained in the gravel of the Mataura River, near Tuturau; but I am credibly informed that indica- tions are everywhere met with in the Waipori and Mataura Plains. I have nowhere yet known of any individual success at the occupation of gold-wash- ing or digging as a business, nor have I seen above the small fraction of