39 G Transactions, — Geology. 



tliat there are two other rocky barriers below the one at Kingston, and that 

 each of these barriers is capped by morainic accumulations. Now, by Professor 

 Kamsay's theory of the glaciers having excavated the lake basins, this is just 

 what we might expect ; but on the subsidence theory we have to account for 

 these three moraines having all been deposited exactly at the places where the 

 former glacier having got over the flatter ground was just commencing to 

 descend a steeper slope. 



These are the reasons which lead me to think that Lake Wakatipu was. 

 scooped out by a glacier, and that it cannot possibly have been caused by 

 unequal depression ; indeed, if Professor Ramsay's theory was in want of 

 further evidence to prove it, I know of no place equal to the province of Otago 

 for obtaining that evidence, for the rocks there have been so little disturbed 

 that recent elevations and depressions could be generally proved or disproved. 



I 



Art. LVII. — Notes on Miramar Peninsula, Wellington Harbour. 

 By J. C. Crawford, F.G.S. 



(With Illustration.) 



l^Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 25th September, 1872.] 



As a preliminary I propose to change the name of the peninsula at the 

 entrance of Port Nicholson to "The Miramar Peninsula." (PI. XXI.) The 

 name of Watt Peninsula is neither euphonious nor appropriate. Mr. James 

 Watt had no other connection with the land in question than the fact that he 

 landed a cargo of cattle upon it. The name of " Miramar," or " Behold the 

 sea," is appropriate and suitable to the locality. 



The peninsula proper contains an area of about four square miles, and 

 with the isthmus connecting it with the western side of Evans Bay contains 

 numerous remains of ancient occupation. 



The fundamental rocks consist of sandstones and slates, standing at an 

 inclination approaching the vertical, with a northerly and southerly strike. 

 In the centre lies a valley of denudation, open to the southward, containing 

 nearly 700 acres, and bounded on all sides except the south by the above- 

 named sandstones and slates. 



This valley is of considerable interest both geologically and arch geologically . 



It is remarkably flat, making the drainage of ifc a matter of extension 

 over every area. That the whole of this flat was at a late geological period 

 covered by the sea is very evident, probably at the time when the sea stood at 

 about fifteen feet above the present level, as evidenced by water-worn caveSj 

 the borings of Pholadce, etc. 



