24 P. A. ØYEN. THE QUATERNARY SECTION OF KILEBU. M.-N. Kl. 
dence of a rather wet and rough climate. As this layer proved non- 
fossiliferous it is not easy to judge correctly as to palæontological records, 
but, the fossils of the upper part of layer XXII, and of the lower part 
of layer XXIV indicate true arctic conditions of climate during the depo- 
sition of this layer. We can not easily imagine any other place to be 
found for this layer in the stratigrafical record than a corresponding one of 
the Portlandia-stage. This stage we know to be dichotome, but, this 
character finds no expression in the Kilebu section. This peculiar phe- 
nomenon we are not able to explain in any other way than to suppose 
that the climate of this period was so severe as to eliminate the effects 
of a relatively short intervening period of a more favourable climate. 
As already above mentioned, the layers now described have, of course, 
been deposited in a somewhat deep water, say ten to twenty fathoms. 
This supposition will be in good accordance, as well with the stratifica- 
tion of the layers as with the occurrence of ancient sea-margins in the 
neighbourhood. The fossil-bearing layer XXIV, however, bears strong 
evidence of altered conditions, as well bathymetrically as in regard to 
the character of climate. This deposit is a true sub-littoral one to be 
referred to an ancient sea-level nearly 142 m. a. s. And, the character of 
the fauna of the time is designated by the rather abundant occurrence of 
Littorina littorea and by the occurrence of such species as Cyprina 
islandica and Zirphaea crispata, each of them being the representatives 
of certain succeeding parts of the same period. This period I found it 
most suitable to name after the most characteristic leading fossil as the 
Littorina-stage. The section of Kilebu consequently is of great impor- 
tance as giving a continuous record of events that took place through a 
rather long space of late-quaternary time, as well in regard to the oscil- 
lation of sea-level as in regard to oscillation of climate and develop- 
ment or evolution of animal life, 
Printed 21. June 1912. 
