SECRETS OF AGES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 November 1924, Page 15

SECRETS OF AGES.

STORIES FROM FOSSILS. I DISCOVERIES IN QUEENSLAND.! Smn« • . SYDNEY, Oct. 30. | ,„;° n important discoveries in thl 7a ‘f f fossils llnve been made in rel eent year s at the Marmor quarry neal tlm 5t 1,4011 ’ • Queeilslaild ’ Wieatinl the existence m past ages of remark! able species of Australia’s unique maj siipuds, now either lost or modified ou! fr ° m their fonner dime® . v " Substantiation lias also beel given to the theory that Eastern Au® traha, with Tasmania as part of th® mainland, once formed a distinct co® tment with distinctive fauna fro® that of the larger continent that exis® ed westward of a sea then dividing rest of the present continent, : The theory is that the animals in the east were unable to contend against those of the western continent when the disappearance of the dividing sea resulted in their migration eastward, and they were practically exterminated, but survived in the portion of the eastern continent that became separated as an island and now forms Tasmania. Interested in the discovery sonic time ago of the fossilised teeth of a soealled pouched lion (Thvacoleo) in the quarry, Mr Longman (director of the Queensland Museum) visited the spot last week, and in company with the manager of the quarry (Mr Evans) made a unique discovery. In earth about GOft, from the original surface they found four vertebrae of fossil snakes, easily distinguishable on account .of a peculiar ball and socket formation. Mr Longman was particularly pleased, as he thinks this is the first recorded instance of a fossil snake being found in any part of Australia. Later another important discovery was made, this being of several specimens of fossil teeth of an animal related to tfie marsupial devil, now only found in remote parts of Tasmania,’ and long since extinct on the mainland. Three of the teeth were embedded in, a jawbone. Previous to this the only fossil remains of a devil found comprised half a tooth. Many other fossil remains, including kangaroos and wallabies, were picked up. Mr Longman states that the Marmor quarries offer a rich field for the collector, and it is quite possible very important discoveries may be made there.

i she- kept this up, always same tune, always striking the sunn discord. Just, when the annoyance had i cached its height a young musician and lm ’ wife arrived. At the end of the first meal thereafter, the little girl left 11k tabic and began to play. The musician quickly took m th< situation, and drawing a c-liai.r up 1 behind the little girl he put his arms around her and put bis hands on ihe keys. Whenever the ’’tile girl struck a. note he wove around it the most i-x- ---| quisite harmonies, and when she struck the same old discord tlie music transcended all the rest. The loom was scon, crowded with people. They came from the dining-room. They heard Lorn upstairs and earn© down.’ They came from the street: The musician lifted the title girl clown and talcing her bv the hand bowed to the audience, say-, ing: “Allow me to present the rifle girl who played the music. I only played the harmonies.'’ We can all do that; let us go hack from our church to cur work enc-our; gee and inspired. Let us go 1- mk to the old place, to the old humdrum toil,' tc plav the same old tune aid yes! ,tc make the sain© old discord, hut ietHui weave in the harmonies.- -Rev. Jchn A. Gray.