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interesting- Cretaceous basin of the coast of Brazil, valu- 

 able, not only for its scientific riches, but also for the fer- 

 tility of its soil, which arises from the decomposition of 

 limestones. The collection of fossils obtained from this 

 Cretaceous area was probably larger than that from Per- 

 nambuco, and comprises Teleostean and Selachian fishes; 

 several forms of Crustacea; Nautilus, Ammonites, Cera- 

 tites, Natica, Turrilites, Turritella, Janira, Ostrea, Tri- 

 gonia, Cardium, Astarte, Mytilus, Gervillia, Pectunculus, 

 Posidonomya, etc., among the Mollusca ; Corals, Echini, 

 a single large specimen of star-fish, etc., etc. 



Mr. Branner spent two months in studying the geology 

 and other natural history features of the island of Fer- 

 nando de Noronha, which differs entirely in structure 

 from the main-land, being of volcanic origin, and furnish- 

 ing splendid illustrations of dykes and basaltic columns. 

 Mr. Branner's work was fully illustrated by a fine series 

 of photographs and sketches. At this time I was explor- 

 ing, with the photographer, the southern coast of Bahia 

 and the Abrolhos region. A large set of photographs of 

 the Botocudo Indians was made by Snr. Ferrez on this 

 expedition, and forms a valuable contribution toward the 

 study of that tribe. 



During the latter half of 1876 and the first half of 1877, 

 explorations were carried on in the southern coast pro- 

 vinces, as follows : in Santa Catharina by Prof. Hartt and 

 Mr. Wagoner; in Parana by Mr. Wagoner; and in Siio 

 Paulo by myself. In Santa Catharina the regions inves- 

 tigated were the Carboniferous basin of the Tubarao, 

 never before visited by a geologist, the "■ sambaqiiis'' of 

 Laguna, and the geology around the Sao Francisco do 

 Sul. Man}^ perfect skulls, ornaments, axes and other 

 stone implements, and pottery were obtained from the 

 "■ sambaqiiisy Mr. Wagoner made a geographical exam- 

 ination of the highlands west of the bay of Sta. Catharina, 

 and from the Rio Itajahy to Coritibanos. The identity 

 in structure of the Serra Geral and the Serra do Tubarao 

 was proved. The fossils found in the Serra seem to be 

 Carboniferous. 



