Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/63

 in a sketch like this, to give a full description. They are almost as numerous as the order of rocks on which they are decomposed. Along the coast the principal formation is from the limestone of gray or yellow colour; oftentimes, however, iron ore is embedded in the limestone, and imparts to the soil a rich brown colour. This soil is peculiarly adapted to the culture of vine and fruit trees. Much of it is also to be found along the banks of the Murray. In the mountain ranges the granite soil prevails. It is loose, and not very productive, easily known by the presence of mica, quartz, or felspar. According to the report of the late Sir Thomas Mitchell, Surveyor-General of New South Wales, about one-third of Victoria is composed of basalt, generally of a chocolate brown colour. It is superior to any other for agricultural purposes, and, when mixed with lime, cannot be surpassed. It is on this account that the name of Australia Felix has been given to the State. Of the stone found in Victoria, granite is most abundant, and of great variety, well adapted for building. Sandstone is also found at Geelong, Cape Patterson, and in Gipp's Land, of a very good and valuable quality. There are also vast quantities of basalt found, of the greatest use in forming and macadamizing roads.

It is supposed that coal is to be found in many places, but as yet none has been discovered, save at the Barrabool Hills, near Geelong, and Cape Patterson; the latter is supposed to be the best. Some stir is now being made to prosecute further inquiries