736 kepoet— 1884. 



These interesting fossils have been only partially investigated, but tbe author 

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

 species, representing at least two widely different groups. 



The first genus described was Dryolestes, of which five species are now known. 

 The second genus was Sfylacodon, with two species. The third was Tinodon, re- 

 presented by four species. Ctenacodon, with two species, and Diplocynodon, with 

 a single species, were next described, and, subsequently, Allodon and Docodon, 

 each having only a single species. 



All these genera are apparently quite distinct from any European forms, yet 

 they are clearly allied to those described from the Jurassic of England. 



One species alone appears to be identical, generically, with Triconodon of 

 Owen. 



The genus Ctenacodon, related to Plagiaulax of Falconer, differs widely from 

 all the others, and these two genera have been referred by the author to a new 

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

 rently distinct from that group. 



The remaining known Jurassic Mammals have been placed by the author in a 

 distinct order, Pantotheria. They differ from the Marsupials in many important 

 characters, and appear to belong to a more generalised group, having many 

 characters of the Insectivors. 1 



No Cretaceous Mammals are known, and from the Triassic deposits of this 

 country, only a single species {Dromatherium Sylcestre, Emrnons) has been brought 

 to light. 



The author is still engaged in the investigation of American Mesozoic Mammals, 

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

 the subject. 



4. On the Geology of South Africa, 

 By Professor T. Rupekt Jones, F.B.S., F.G.S. 



The contour of the South coast is parallel with the outcrop of the strata in the 

 interior, from Oliphant's River (81° 40' S. Eat.) on the West coast, southward to 

 the Cape, and then eastward to about 33° 30' S. Lat. Here the edges of the strata, 

 formerly bending round to the north, have been swept away to a great extent; 

 but their outcrop is again seen on the East coast at St. John's River (31° 40' S.Lat.), 

 where they strike north -eastwardly through Natal, probably far up the country. 



1. Gneissic rock and the Namaqualand Schists apparently underlie the others, 

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

 2. Micaschists and Slates, interrupted by Granites here and there, form a curved 

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

 bury Beds (Dunn). These and the beds next in succession (the Bokkeveld Beds, 3) 

 are overlain unconformably by the Table- Mountain Sandstone (4), 4,000 (?) feet thick, 

 which forms patches and extensive ridges, and possibly dips over No. 3, to join 

 No. 5, the Wittebery Beds. Nos. 3 and 5, together about 2,100 feet thick, lie 

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

 the latter is probably of Carboniferous Age (with Lepidodendron, &c), and forms 

 the Wittebergen and Zwartehergen in the Cape District, and the Zuurbergen in 

 Eastern Province. 



The Ecca Beds (6) come next ; Lower Series, 800 feet ; Conglomerate Beds 

 (Divyka), 500 feet ; Upper Series, 2,700 feet ; conformable with No. 5 ; in the 

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

 set of beds, No. 7, in some places 50 miles to the north. The Ecca Beds have 

 fossil wood and plant remains in abundance here and there, but these have not 

 been clearly determined. This series has not been well defined until lately, and 

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

 therefore takes in the lowest members of Bain's great Karoo Formation, Nos. 12 



1 American Journal of Science, vol. xx. p. 233, September 1880. See also vol. 

 xxi. p. 611, June 1881. 



