Eighth Annual Report. 609 
fossils was obtained, but sufficient to identify the horizon as that of the 
Middle Amuri greensands, overlaid by the Amuri limestone. 
It is in connection with these latter beds that the deposits of lithographic 
stone occur, which have recently been commanding a certain amount of 
attention. 
The argentiferous lodes of Richmond Hill and Moin Rangitoto have 
been examined and reported upon. 
Part of the east coast of the North Island has also been run over some- 
what hurriedly, and collections made from the extensions of the Castle 
Point beds north of Napier, and also from the cretaceo-tertiary beds (Leda 
marls, etc.) which cover a large area of the country surveyed. 
From the coal measures of the Buller coal field, immediately associated 
with the coal, some large oysters have been obtained, identieal with those 
which are found in the sandstone overlying the brown coal at the Nine- 
Mile Bluff, north of the Grey. 
In consequence of the great interest attached to the study of our Upper 
Mesozoie formations, it was considered desirable to make exhaustive collec- 
tions of fossil remains from the Amuri series, and these comprise by far the 
greatest bulk of the addition to the Museum during the past year. 
Mr. MeKay, who was employed on this work, reports that he has col- 
lected approximately as many as 10,000 specimens of shells from the various 
horizons, in addition to which portions of not less than 150 Saurians have 
been secured, which will, it is hoped, tend to throw considerable light upon 
points in the anatomy of known species which have hitherto been of a 
doubtful character, in addition to which the number of species will, in all 
probability, be augmented. 
As the collections are at present being unpacked, iti is impossible to give 
any further information concerning them. 
Adviees have been received of a large shipment of fossils, obtained as 
exchanges and donations from correspondents in England. 
LABORATORY. 
The number of analyses made in the laboratory during the past year is 
133—viz., coal, 18; minerals, 49; metals and ores, 36; gold, 5; miscel- 
laneous, 25. 
A full report of these analyses is given in the Annual Report by the 
analyst. 
James Hector, Manager. 
19th September, 1876. 
