Geological Observations in South Australia. By Rev. Julian Edmund Woods,
F.G.S , &c. (Longman and Co.)—The author of this work is a ibrother of Mr. N. A. S. Woods, the well-known newspaper historian. Possessing a considerable taste for and knowledge of geology, he has, while performing the duties of a clergyman in a district situated in the south- east corner of the colony of South Australia, been in the habit of .making geological observations of the district in which he resides. The results of these observations are contained in the volume now before us. We cannot, of course, enter into any detailed statement or criticism of his views ; but we may mention one or two of the most important general conclusions at which he arrives. He is of opinion that, at a Mime not.more remote than one of the recent tertiary periods, the con- tinent of Australia was cut completely in two, along a straight lino from the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the north, to Spencer's Gulf, on the south. 'That part of Australia which now lies along that line is plainly of very -much more recent formation than the rest of the continent. This area -was, during the Pliocene period, one of subsidence ; and the subsidence was accompanied by a coral formation similar to that now existing in
the subsiding area of the Pacific—the region of atolls and other coral reefs. When the subsidence ceased, a period of volcanic disturbances commenced, after which a deposit of small fragments of stone was thrown down from an ocean current. When this deposit was hardened into stone, upheaval commenced, and has continued till the present day —and is, in fact, still going on. Whatever may be the verdict pro- nounced by geologists on Mr. Wood's very ingenious speculations, there can be no doubt as to the value of the observations on which they are founded, or as to the scientific moderation with which they are advanced. Mr. Wood's book is very interesting, and will amply repay a close exami- nation.
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