SEDIMENTARY BELT OF THE COAST OF BRAZIL 225 
however, present a well-characterized Cretaceous fauna, which, 
as a whole, can be taken as typical of the marine Cretaceous of the 
Brazilian coast region, although it is to be noted that only five species 
are positively identified as occurring elsewhere. 
In the Pernambuco district the principal locality is Maria Farinha, 
which has furnished seventy-three species of invertebrate fossils 
which, in the opinion of a number of prominent European and Ameri- 
can paleontologists, present a more decidedly Tertiary than Cretaceous 
aspect. Of these species two are Echinoids, of which one is referred 
to a characteristic Cretaceous genus (Toxaster) and the other to a 
new genus, which is therefore unavailable for correlation. Of the 
seventy-one mollusks, the single Cephalopod and four of the sixty- 
eight Gasteropods are referred to species known outside of Brazil. 
These are: Nautilus sowerbyanus d’Orb., Volutilithes radula Sow., 
Nerinea inaugurata Stoliczka, Euspira pagoda Forbes, and Turre- 
fella elicita Stoliczka. Branner, on the basis of a study by Dr. 
Ralph Arnold, questions the identification of the second and fifth 
of this list, and cites the first two as characteristic Tertiary (sic) 
forms. Even if these doubts be admitted, there would still remain 
two Cretaceous against two Tertiary forms, whereas White gives 
four Cretaceous against no Tertiary forms. In any case, the evidence 
from known species is weak and may very properly be considered as 
inconclusive for either reference, though note should be taken of the 
presence of the characteristic Cretaceous genera Toxaster and Nerinea. 
The evidence for Cretaceous age to be drawn from a comparison 
with the Sergipe fauna is somewhat stronger, though still less con- 
clusive than could be desired. Six species, including one of those 
above mentioned (Euspira pagoda), are identified as common to the 
two regions. When it is considered that the Pernambuco and Para 
faunas, whose correlation no one seems inclined to contest, have 
only twelve (or fifteen including three doubtful forms) species in 
common, this showing is not so unfavorable as might at first sight 
appear, and affords at least a stronger presumption in favor of the 
Cretaceous than any I have yet seen cited in favor of the Tertiary 
age. This presumption is greatly strengthened by Branner’s state- 
t The list of Tertiary forms presented by Branner in his latest discussion of the sub- 
ject (The Stone Ree/s of Brazil, p. 15) includes, besides the two cited above given by 
