PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION C. 203 



the country in the vicinity of Nanigo Creek, north of Kerema, there 

 are extensive outcrops and escarpments of brown-coloured micaceous 

 sandstone. 



Throughout the Division the rooks bear strikingly similar charac- 

 teristics to one another, and carry similar fossils, and where one rock is 

 mot with the others are also sure to be seen, being associated 

 together in the one formition. 



The rocks nearer the coast are, as a rule, coarser in grain than 

 those to be seen in the north, and also appear to be the basal beds of 

 a series of immense thickness and great extension. At present the 

 limits of this formation are unknown. 



From a report by Mr. J. E. Carne, F.G.S., on the country west of 

 the Parari River,* I find that sandstones and clay-shales occur in close 

 proximity to the coal seams, and that they are of Tertiary age. Some 

 time ago, I understand, coal was discovered on the Ei Hills west of 

 Kerema, by a prospector, and, whilst investigating Bepa Creek, 

 situated to the east of these hills, a fragment of lignitic coal was picked 

 up. Apart from this, there are beds of sandstone and mudstone 

 containing carbonized plant remains to be seen in the cliSs near the 

 Cupola, and at intervals on the Vailala River up as far as the Dahiti 

 country. Further, from an examination of the fossil contents of the 

 sandstones, limestones, and mudstones, I find that the Pleurotomidae 

 and Dantaliidse are present in relatively large numbers, together with 

 other mollusca with a Tertiary facies. From the above it appears 

 that the Series is probably of Tertiary age, and belonging to and 

 connected with the series to the west of the Purari River, which means 

 a further extension westerly. 



Since ^VTiting this Report, I have received communication from 

 Mr. Etheridge, of the Australian Museum, on the determination of a 

 few fossils, in which he points out the beds are of late Tertiary age. 



From a reportf by Mr. A. Gibb Maitland, F.G.S., I also find that 

 the Kivori grits near Yule Island bear similar characteristics to the 

 grits occurring at the Cupola .and elsewhere. The former dip to the 

 north-east at a low angle, and are of Post-Tertiary age. The similar 

 beds of the Cupola also dip to the north-east, and appear to be connected 

 with the Kivori grits, which, if such be the case, will prove a further 

 extension easterly of the same series, and represent the basal beds of 

 the whole series. 



Apart from these sedimentary beds, there is an isolated occurrence 

 of raised coral reef to be seen at the Bluff, resting on an outcrop of 

 sandstone and limestone, dipping S. 60" W. 25°. 



• Report by J E Carne, Esq., F.G S , oa the Purari Goal Expedition, 8th June, 1912. 

 t Geological Observation? in B.N.Q. ia 1891. 



