2 



The beds immediately over the Aberdare coal-seam consist 

 mostly of shales, with occasional sandstones, and form the topmost 

 portion of the Ipswich Series. The conglomerates above the coal- 

 bed, shown in section in the text-fig. 2, are the basal beds of the 

 Bundamba Series. 



The fauna, of which only the first collection is being described 

 by Mr. Tillyard in this paper, has proved very instructive, and its 

 examination has produced some startling results. It may safely be 

 said that the study of the collections recently made will prove even 

 more remarkable. Quite a number of insect forms have now been 

 recognised, and this palseo-entomological work, taken in conjunction 

 with an examination of the flora, should verv well show the life of 



/ 



the epoch represented by the Ipswich Coal Measures, so far as land 

 and freshwater conditions are concerned. A noticeable feature 

 about the fossils collected is the absence of all traces of fishes and 

 reptiles, and, with the exception of the little Estheria, also all crus- 

 taceans. 



The flora is wonderful both in its variety and in its state of pre- 

 servation, and some very useful information is expected as a result 

 of the examination of all the material which Mr. Walkom, Assistant 

 Lecturer in Geology at the Queensland University, has now in hand. 

 Not the least noteworthy are several specimens showing minute 

 organic structure requiring microscopic treatment, other specimens 

 showing well-developed cell structure but without form or venation. 

 Others again have the tissue of the leaf beautifully preserved in 

 silica, while a large number show the fructification of ferns. 



The presence of the fine sediments from which the shales were 

 formed is an indication of swampy or stillwater conditions at the 

 time the insects and plants were entombed, prior to which the accu- 

 mulation of beds of sandstone below the shales suggests that the 

 deposits were formed by current action, and that the area covered 

 by water must have been somewhat extensive. 



Volcanic activity at one time evidently interfered with the 

 swampy conditions in covering the shaly sediments with volcanic 

 dust or mud and apparently destroying the insect life and nearly 

 all the plant life on the adjacent land surfaces, the hardy Thinnfeldia, 

 however, withstanding the strain and flourishing with even more 

 vigour after the period of volcanic activity than before. In the 

 quarry are to be seen particles of charcoal embedded in the upper 

 portion of the tuff ami intermingled with plant, fragments, from 

 which it would seem that the volcanic action in its destruction of 

 life by 'nvclopincnt with ash or dust was accelerated by fire. 



