41 



obtainable we bave every reason to infer bas not transpired, 

 at least since before Miocene times. 



JEvidences of Submergence during the Last Period of Sigh 

 Eccentricity. — Having already pointed out tbe great improba- 

 bility tbat tbe soutbern sbores of Soutb Australia were invaded 

 Avitb land-ice during tbe last glacial epocb, I will now en- 

 deavour to note a few of tbe evidences I bave collected sbowing 

 tbat tbe seaboard of tbis part of Australia at least was sub- 

 merged wben extreme cold last prevailed in tbe soutbern 

 bemispbere to an extent of over 800 feet. 



I am fully convinced tbat our so-called drift formations, ex- 

 i;ending at least to an altitude of 800 feet above present sea 

 level, are cbieily of marine origin, and were deposited during 

 tbe period wbilst tbe last bigb state of eccentricity prevailed, 

 and wbilst tbe soutbern bemispbere was passing tbrougb its 

 long secular winters of tbe period. In support of tbis bypo- 

 tbesis I may state tbat in well exposed sections of tbe deposits 

 I bave noticed tbe general cbaracteristics wbicb lead me to 

 infer tbat tbe calcareo-argillaceous beds were deposited in 

 comparatively deep and still waters, and wbicb could not pos- 

 sibly bave been tbe debris derived from tbe meltings of land- 

 ice. 



Wbere tbe streams from tbe bills bave cut cbannels tbrougb 

 tbe deposits so tbat tbe base of tbe formation is exposed to 

 view, boulders and pebbles occur, presenting evidence of tbeir 

 baving been beacb worn. Sucb water-worn boulders and peb- 

 bles I bave especially noticed occupying tbe base of tbe de- 

 posits in tbe gorge of Smitb's Creek and in otber gullies wbere 

 tbe base of tbe formation is fully exposed tbrougbout Munno 

 Para East ; also from tbe debris of a well evidently penetrating 

 tbe basement beds of tbe deposits. On tbe western side of tbe 

 Hummock Range boulders and pebbles of a most decided sbore- 

 line aspect bave been seen by me also. 



At considerable distances from tbe adjoining bills, imbedded 

 in tbese calcareo-argillaceous deposits, specimens of drift- 

 wood bave not unfrequenth^ been found, belonging to tbe same 

 species still inbabiting tbe surrounding beigbts, wbicb also 

 militates against tbe tbeory of tbe actual glaciation of Soutb 

 Australia during tbe deposition of tbe drift deposits. For, as 

 well known to botanists, none of tbe species of our gum tribe 

 are adapted to witbstand tbe rigours of severe cold, and I am 

 of opinion also that few or none of tbe species of tbe land 

 fauna would bave witbstood tbe severe cbange perpetual frost 

 entails. Tbe " Transactions of tbe Eoyal Society of Soutb 

 Australia," 1880, pages 27-28, states tbat nearly every species 

 of our existing fauna lived during tbe period referred to. As 

 to tbe appearance and extension of tbe Diprotodon australis 



