The minerals of Tasmania

To the geologist, the fascinating science of mineralogy must always be of the utmost importance, as it defines with remarkable exactitude the chemical constituents and combinations of rock masses, and, thus interpreting their optical and physical characters assumed, it plays an important part in the elucidation of the mysteries of the earth's crust.
Moreover, in addition, the minerals of a country are invariably intimately associated with its industrial progress, in addition to being an important factor in its igneous and metamorphic geology. In this dual aspect this State affords a most prolific field, perhaps unequalled in the Commonwealth, for serious consideration.