74 Prof. A, E. NordensJmld — Geology of Spitzbergen. 



a. Slate from Etage 2, formed almost exclusively of shells of Halobia. h. Nodules, 

 containing Nautilus, etc., from Etage 5. c. Grey limestone from the same Etage, 

 at Saurieberg, underlying the coprolite stratum in Etage 6. d. Elack bituminous 

 slates, which accompany the coprolite strata at Sauriehook. e. Coprolite from 

 Sauriehook. 



The matter soluble in acids in c corresponds, if we suppose a small part of the lime 

 to be replaced by protoxide of iron, to the formula 2 Ca CO2 + Mg COg. The 

 average of a large quantity of coprolite brought home in 1872 gave 23-02 per cent, 

 phosphoric acid. 



Similar strata, also belonging to the Triassic formation, are to be 

 found at the mouth of Ice Sound, where they lie between the Moun- 

 tain Limestone and the Jurassic strata, and are strongly dislocated. 

 They take up the rocks along the shore two or four thousand feet 

 west of " the Fastness." The strata consist principally of slates, 

 often infused with coprolite grains and nodules, and alternating with 

 strata of bituminous limestone and thick coprolite beds. 



The Triassic fossils on Spitzbergen consist partly of Cephalopoda 

 and bivalves, partly of remains of vertebrate animals, which occur 

 either imbedded in a brownish-black limestone containing coprolites, 

 or in a grey slate, or in the before-mentioned colossal limestone 

 nodules inclosed in the slate. Loose pieces also of bones of Saurians 

 are found among the rock-debris, and are then often of a beautiful 

 turquoise colour on the surface. 



Of the vertebrates Mr. Hulke has been able to refer three species 

 to known genera, viz. : 



IcJithyosaurus poIaris, Hulke. The fragments of bones, consisting 

 of vertebrae and ribs, show that this species was of about the same 

 size as I. platyodon. Among the remains of bones collected by the 

 Expedition^of 1868 Mr. Hulke remarks of two specimens numbered 

 46 and 49, that they " have baffled my efforts to decipher their nature." 

 These bones lay in the same limestone nodule as the series of eight 

 vertebrae, etc., first described by Hulke (La), and are certainly parts 

 of the same skeleton. 



Iclitliyosaurus NordensMoldii, Hulke. To this species are thought 

 to belong most of the smaller vertebrae which we brought home from 

 Ice Sound. 



Acrodus Spitzbergensis, Hulke. Mr. Hulke thinks he can with 

 certainty refer a tooth found at Saurie Hook to this genus. 



Many other bone fragments it has been impossible as yet to deter- 

 mine with certainty. 



Of invertebrates Dr. Lindstrom enumerates the following species : 



Nautilus NordensJcidlcUi , Lindstrom. 

 Ceratites Mahngrenii, Lindstr. 

 Ammonites Gaytani^ Klipst. 

 Fosidonia, sp. 

 Salobia Lommelii, Wissm. 

 Zitteli, Lindstr. 



Monotis, sp. 



filifftra, Lindstr. 



Pecten, sp. 

 Lingula, sp. 

 JEncrinus, sp. 



The phosphates, abundant in these beds, occur partly as nodules 

 consisting exclusively of coprolite of about 30 mm. diameter, partly 

 in strata which exclusively consist of a highly peculiar aggregate of 

 black round, sharply-defined, equal-sized grains of phosphate of 

 about 1 mm. diameter, cemented by carbonate of lime. The whole 



