lis 



Me. Gardneb on the Existence of Chalk in Brazil. 



the first time on the American Continent — of the whole series of rocks 

 which constitute the chalk formation — of which there are now on the 

 table before us specimens of each, as well as of some of the fossil 

 remains which they contain. 



The place where these specimens were obtained is situated in about 

 80° of south latitude, and 40° of west longitude, or about 300 miles in 

 a straight line from the east coast. The locality forms part of an 

 elevated table land which stretches continuously from the sea coast 

 southward, and forms a natural boundary between the two great pro- 

 vinces of Ceara and Piauhy. It is generally elevated from 500 to 

 1000 feet above the level of the country to the east of it, but not so 

 much above that to the west ; and at the place from whence my speci- 

 mens were taken is about 2000 feet above the level of the sea. To 

 this range the name of Serra Vermelha is given by the Portuguese, 

 and Ihiapaha by the Indians. Between the 10th and 11th degrees of 

 latitude it takes a westerly direction, and in about 47° of longitude 

 takes a northerly sweep, finally terminating at the mouth of the Ama- 

 zon, under the Equator, the country which it surrounds forming a 

 vast valley, including the provinces of Piauhy and Maranham. This 

 elevated range varies very much in breadth, from the branches which 

 run off from it both to the east and to the west At the place where 

 I crossed it, on my journey westward, it is upwards of 30 miles broad. 



