ilil 



736 



KEPORT — 1884. 



mi 



i 



These interpstinp: fossils have heen only partially iiivesti<rated, but the nutlior 

 has already described, from the more intorestinf^ forms, eight genera and seventeen 

 species, representing at least two widely different gvonps. 



The first genus described was Un/olestes, of wliich Hve species are now known 

 The second genus was StyUicodtm, with two species. The tliird was TiiKulon re- 

 presented by four species. L'tenucuchiii, with two species, and Diplin-i/iioddii, with 

 a single species, were next described, and, subsef|uently, AUodon and Ihirodun 

 each liaving only a single species. 



All tliese genera are apparently quite distinct from any European forms, vet 

 they are clearly allied to those described from the .lurassic oi" England. 



One species alone appears to be identical, generically, with Tn'<v/io(hiu ct' 

 Owen. 



The genus Cf enaroflu)!, wlatcd to Phif/iaiihi.v of Falconer, di Hers widelv from 

 all the others, and these two genera have been referred by the author tn iincw 

 order, AHotlwrin. They resemble the Marsupials in many respects, but are appa- 

 rently distinct from that group. 



The remaining known Jurassic Mammals have l)een placed by the autiiorina 

 distinct order, I'dnfut/wria, Tliey dill'er from tlie Marsupials in maiiv im]iortmii 

 characters, and appear to belong to a more generalised group, luning manv 

 characters of the Insectivors.' 



No Cretaceous Mammals are known, and from the 'i'riassic deposits of tliis 

 country, only a single species {Dromuthvrinm Sylveittrc, lunmons) has b mh )jrou"lii 

 toligh't. 



The author is still engagid in the investigation of American Mesozoic Mauumls. 

 and, when this is completed, the results will be brought togetlier in a memoir on 

 the subject. 



L 



4. On tlte Geology of South Africa, 

 Bij Professor T. Rui'EKT Jonks, F.'U.S., F.G.S. 



The contour of tlie South coa.<t is parallel with the outcrop of the strata in tlir 

 interior, ffom Oliphant's Kiver CM° 40' S. La\) on tlie West coast, southward tn 

 tiie Cape, and then eastward to about 03° oO' S. Lat. Here the edges of tlie strata, 

 formerly bending round to the north, have been swe])t away to a great extent: 

 but their outcrop is again seen on the East coast atSt. .lolm's IJiver (■'ii ''40'S,Lat.i, 

 where they strike no'th-eastwardly through Natal, probably far up the country. 



1. Ciueissic I'ock and the yfoiniqiiahoid Sc/iisf/^ apparently underlie the others, 

 coming out on the north-west, and exposing a narrow strip on the South coast. 

 i'. Micaschists and Slates, interrupted by Granites here and lliere, form a curviil 

 maritime band, from about 30 to 70 miles broad, and are known as the Mahm-f- 

 lunj Ih'ds (Dunn). Tiiese and the beds next in succession (the Bvhkcrcld J>((1k,',\\ 

 are overlain uiiconformably by I he '/'(djlt'-MoNiifain Sandstone (4), 4,000 ( r ) feet thick, 

 which forms ])atches and extensive ridges, and ])ossibly dips over No. .?, to join 

 No. 6, the WiHchevff Jicds. Nos. •"> and o, together about 2,100 feet thick) lie 

 parallel, and form a concentric inner band. The former contains Dcvuiiian fossils; 

 the latter is probably of CarlMniferons Age (wilii Lepkhdendron, &c.), and forni< 

 the Wittebergen and Zwartebergen in the Cape District, and the Zuurbeigen in 

 Eastern Province. 



The Ecrn Beds (G) come next; Lower Series, 800 feet; Conglomerate Beds 

 (Dm/A-a), HOO feet ; Upper Series, 2,700 ft>et ; conformable witli No. 5 : in the 

 south much folded, and in undulations throughout, until it jiasses under the next 

 ■set of beds, No. 7, in some places oO miles to the north. The Ecca Beds have 

 fo.ssil wood and plant remains in abundance here and there, but these have noi 

 been clearly determined. Tiiis series has not been well detined until lately, ami 

 even now its limits are not fully determined. It includes the Karoo Desert, ami 

 therefore takes in the lowest members of Bain's great Karoo Formafi'i/ii, Nos. h' 



' American Journal of Science, vol. xx. p. 2^'), September 1880. t^ec also vol. 

 xxi. p. 511, June 1881. 



