IN his pamphlet on " Overlooked Gold Deposits," W. Green writes- " It is commonly said among miners, that the geologist comes too late into the field to be of any service to them. Although there is some 'reason for the remark, it should be observed that the miner opens important pages of Nature's book for the geologist to study ; and the turning up of the leaves of a book comes before the reading of the pages." It is hoped in this and future papers, the writer will, by pointing out the work geologists have done, prove that those who study the Earth and master the so-called laws of Nature are the best friends of the miner. One of the most important branches of geology, from a miner's point of view, is that relating to the formation and natural concentration of the minerals it is his business to work ; and yet this is one he too frequently passes over in an off-hand manner. No wonder, then, that he makes most serious mistakes, through not understanding the nature of the material he is about to work.