380 Trnnsactio7is, 



The distribution of the series is fairly general in the coastal districts of 

 both Islands and in some portions of the interior parts, but in most instances 

 the outcrops are separated from one another (see fig. 1). In all but a very 

 few of the areas where the series is exposed the stratification is simple. In 

 many cases the strata lie flat ; but where they border on an older series of 

 rocks they are generally inclined and folded in some simple manner, though 

 in some places it causes them to lie vertically. It is the belief of the authors 

 that the mere stratigraphy would have gffered no difficulties and have 

 caused no confusion if there had not been other matters requiring considera- 

 tion in connection with the whole question. One of these other matters is 

 the correlation of the strata in the different and sometimes distant areas 

 where they outcrop, but the most important is to be found in the palaeon- 

 tological succession. The loAvest strata of this younger series contain fossils 

 that are generally allowed to be of Cretaceous age, the upper of Miocene 

 or Pliocene age. 



In general the rocks are marginal. In the North Island they unite in 

 the extreme north portions of the older rocks that crop out here and there, 

 and apparently constitute the greater part of the country as far south as 

 the Upper AVaikato. They are extensively developed on the eastern side 

 of the great ra'nge from Cape Runaway to Cape Turakirae, and in places 

 near the East Cape form the highest part of the country. 



In the south part of this coast they are replaced by older series, but in 

 the central part they extend almost from side to side of the Island except 

 for a narrow ridge of old rocks. On the western side they form the whole 

 country between a line through Pirongia, Taimiarunui, Waiouru, Waikanae 

 and the coast. 



In the South Island the formation is more restricted and local, and 

 is nearly always marginal. It extends up many river-valleys — Aorere, 

 Clarence, Waitaki, for example. It is widely extended in North Canter- 

 bury, in North Otago, and again in Southland ; Avhile it occupies interior 

 basins in the Te Anau and Manapouri districts, as well as at Trelissick. In 

 Westland the development is again larger in the northern part, and especi- 

 ally large areas are found in the Wangapeka, Maruia, and other valleys. 

 Occasionally the rocks are well folded into much older series, as at Nelson, 

 where they occur structurally involved in strata of Trias-jura age. 



Recognition of this has caused various observers to seek for uncon- 

 formities in the strata, for different members of the series contain extremely 

 different faunas. Unconformities have been described by every observer 

 and they have been placed in different positions in the series by every 

 observer, and in almost every case the breaks recognized by one have not 

 been admitted by others. 



In all exposures there is, however, a well-marked lithological series, 

 so far as the observations of the present authors have gone, and this series 

 will be stated in some detail when treating of the different areas. So 

 similar is the succession in the various localities that it is possible without 

 any great error to state a generalized rock -succession that will apply with 

 considerable exactness to the many occurrences. This is as follows : — 

 7. Loose sands with shells. 



6. Moimt Brown beds ; sands often calcareous. 

 5. Grey marls. 

 4. Greensands. 

 3. Limestone. 

 2. Creensand. 

 1. Sands, conglomerates with coal. 



