Quaternary Fossils collected Ъу The Danmark Expedition. 623 



Before proceeding to enumerate the localities where these quatern- 

 ary fossils were found, — I have for the sake of convenience arranged 

 them in order of latitude from south to north — and to the species, 

 some general observations by Hakon Jarner, Geologist to the Ex- 

 pedition, as to the occurrence of quaternary fossils on the territory 

 traversed by him, may here be quoted. Mr. Jarner states, it should 

 be noted, that the fossils brought home can only be regarded as 

 samples, and do not present any correct view of the actual distribution. 



"Quaternary fossils are found throughout the whole of the low 

 moutonné coast region from the Hochstetter Vorland to Jøkelbugten; 

 beyond this area I have no knowledge of the country from personal 

 observation. Here, however, they are present in numerous localities, 

 generally of but slight extent. Up to about 30 metres — or more 

 correctly, perhaps, 20 — above sea level, it is hardly necessary to 

 note "localities" in the plural ; the whole area may be taken as one 

 locality of a most varying local character in consequence of the in- 

 sular landscape presented by this terrain moutonné under its earlier 

 partly submerged state, a landscape which still is to be found outside 

 along the coast. Normally, there is a thin layer of bottom moraine 

 above the rock. Beach formations do not appear as a regular covering 

 layer, but in many places gravel and sand have been washed up 

 into beach lines and terraces of a highly variable, but as a rule 

 inconsiderable extent. These — probably in most cases arisen under 

 disturbed conditions, — do not contain shells. Beside these form- 

 ations, however, which at the first glance mark the whole tract as 

 formerly submerged, we frequently find, in hollows and depressions, 

 deposits of loose matter. These are rarely of any considerable thick- 

 ness, but may in places be fairly rich in quaternary fossils. The 

 material is mainly gravel and sand, the fossils principally Saxicava 

 and Mya ; certain spots, where more shelter was available, show clay 

 (with Yoldia). 



In some few localities, — particularly Hvalsletten — the form- 

 ation is seen to be on a somewhat larger scale. Here, an abundance 

 of material was available, brought down by the glacier through Sæl- 

 søen. The masses were carried by the Salmon River (Lakseelven) 

 down to the northern part of Dove Bay, where they could be quietly 

 deposited on the inner side of Germania Land and the islands. 

 The formation here is still taking place on a larger scale than norm- 

 allv ; the whole of "Lumskebugten" is at present in process of silting 

 up, and joining on to Hvalsletten. This, the largest deposit, is also 

 the richest in shells; on some parts of the slope facing down to the 

 Salmon River, they may be "shovelled" up. 



In the more distant parts, towards Snenæs, sufficiently quiet 



