14 bulletin: museum of compakative zology. 



Our classification will differ from that of previous writers as follows. In 

 accordance with modern usage, local geographic names will be used for 

 formations instead of lithologic, chronologic, and paleontologic terms, so 

 that where the age or relations of formations are not known, their 

 identity is nevertheless preserved. Hence the terms "White Lime- 

 stone," "Yellow Limestone," " Trappean Series," "Metamorphic Series," 

 etc., will be abandoned. 



Inasmuch as this paper will deal largely with the formations of the 

 Tertiary period, it is necessary briefly to explain the nomenclature to be 

 followed. Until very recently, after the example of Dana, the American 

 Tertiary has been divided into three epochs, the Eocene, Miocene, and 

 Pliocene. Dall has recently adopted the European nomenclature, which 

 accepts a fourth epoch, the Oligocene, interpolated between the Eocene 

 and Miocene, which includes the Vicksburg stage of the Upper Eocene 

 (American usage) and the older beds of the Miocene. Throughout this 

 paper iJall's four divisions, as accepted by him, will be used. 



Investigations upon which the present report is based were made in 

 two visits to the island in the winters of 1896 and 1897. These 

 included over eight hundred miles of traverses, with studies of the 

 typical localities of the previous observers, and examinations of excellent 

 new exp(>sures of structure afforded by recent railway construction. 

 Careful study of material in the Museum of the Institute of Jamaica was 

 made, embracing the typical collections of the official surveys. Collec- 

 tions of the rocks and fossils were made wherever possible, and permis- 

 sion was given by the officials of the Institute of Jamaica to borrow 

 such specimens as were desired. 



My tlianks are due to their Excellencies Governor Sir Henry and 

 Lady Blake, tlio Governing Board and Professor J. E. Duerden of the 

 Jamaica Institute, Mr. L. Frank of the Jamaican Railway, Mr. Henry 

 Vcndryes, Caj)tain Baker and sons, Mr. Arthur James, and many others, 

 for their liospitablo aid in our researches. 



The following specialists liave kindly assisted in a careful study of 

 materials collected : i\Ir. Whitman Cross, in the study of the petrography 

 of the igneous rocks ; Mr. T. W. Stanton, in the study of the Cretaceous 

 and Eocene Mollusca ; IMr. R. M. Bagg, Jr., of the New York State 

 JMuaeum, in determining the fossil Foraminifera; Mr. G. B. Shattuck, 

 of Johns Hopkins University, in studyinir the Cretaceous and Eocene 

 MoUusra.^ Special thanks are due to Mr. T. Wayland Vaughan for his 



' Mr. Shattuck hns been iinnble to complete tliesc sttulics for publication in this 

 Report. Iliii results will be presented separately at a later date. 



