50 JOHAN KI^ER. [SEC. ARCT. EXPTFRAM 



Changes in Facies and Biological Conditions. 



Even in the uppermost part of the underlying marine series D we 

 observe the commencement of distinct changes of facies. In his preli- 

 minary report Schei remarks on this point (page 7). 



"Above these layers (zone Dg) there are banks of purer limestone 

 Dh, and then again more impure ones, Di. The upper layers of Di 

 alternate with layers of light grey quartz sandstone, and below with a 

 clay sandstone, that in places bears a number of badly preserved 

 fossils, amongst which are Lamellibranchiates, Dechenella, sp., remains 

 of Holoptychius etc. At the same time this layer of clay sandstone 

 is the last member of series D, which is the first member of series E, 

 a huge series of quartz sandstone strata, that form the mountains on 

 both sides of the inner part of Goose Fiord". This "sandstone point" 

 fauna is an impoverished marine fauna; it is possible that the appe- 

 arance of an abundance of mussels, presumably a Modiomorpha, and 

 the occurrence of Holoptychius scales, indicates that even as early as 

 Di we have a brackish water facies. 



An upheaval of this region thus commenced at the end of the period 

 in which series D was deposited, and continued in the succeeding period. 

 The huge sandstone series in series E must in fact be regarded as a 

 continental formation, corresponding as regards its facies to the Catskill 

 of New York and Pensylvania, or to the Upper Old Red in Europe. 



The fossiliferous horizon in Skrap Valley, with its grey and red, 

 often conglomerate sandstone, now indicates that in the middle of the 

 continental period there took place a brief subsidence with the formation 

 of a new brackish lake. This is indicated by the appearance in large 

 quantities of a small mussel, which must be regarded as a deformed 

 form of Phtonia cylindrica HALL, which otherwise is found in marine 

 facies. With the latter we find remains of plants, often badly preserved, 

 and remains of a somewhat abundant fish fauna. The remains are 

 very fragmentary and consist of various detached scales and fragments 

 of plates, which have been divided and crushed into small pieces, and 

 then embedded promiscuously in the banks of sandstone, which are 

 often of a conglomerate character; but the sculpture of the specimens 

 is as a rule so well preserved that a determination is possible, and we 

 are able to form a conception of this remarkable and long extinct 

 animal life. 



The most fantastic forms in the latter belong to the Bothriolepis 

 family. Both a small and large form were found. The last one 



