Notes on the occurrence of a fossil tree embedded in drift on the north-west coast of Tasmania

The external appearance somewhat resembles that of the fossil wood often found in the upper members of our Permo-Carboniferous series, but in this case the woody structure has not been silicified, and the attempts which I have had made to polish sections for closer examination have not been successful.
There is much variety in the outer portions of exposed fragments .of the tree. Iron sulphides replacing the organic tissues and becoming subsequently oxidised seem to have been the petrifying agents, and there are traces here and there of white iron pyrites (marcasite), or arsenical pyrites (mispickel) still unaltered.
The latter is very abundant in the coal measures of the Mersey district.
Judging from the arrangement of the stumps of branches, the form of the tree must have resembled that of a pine, and faint indications of markings like the "pits" which are the distinguishing feature of coniferous wood may be seen here and there, but no definite conclusion can be come to under this head until after careful microscopical examination.