Structure of the Eastern Alps. 367 



sections to be hypothetical. Both the succession and position of the overlying- 

 groups in that direction are obscure ; but we think it probable that the lower 

 groups are again brought up and tilted at various angles against the second 

 Alpine ridge. In that case the whole system will have somewhat of an 

 irregular^ trough-shaped arrangement; and in a narrow valley of elevation 

 like that of Griinbach, such a collocation of the overlying masses is not im- 

 probable. 



It has been stated by Dr. Boue, that Belemnites are found in the overlying 

 series of Griinbach. Professor Partsch and one of the authors of this paper^ 

 after an assiduous search^, could not discover the least trace of them. The only 

 bodies they found, of which certain fragments might by chance be mistaken 

 for Belemnites^ were the large Serpulae before mentioned. Did Belemnites 

 exist as true characteristic fossils of the beds in question, we should still (after 

 the facts above stated) deny the inference which has been drawn from their 

 supposed presence. 



We believe that the several overlying deposits described in this chapter are 

 nearly of the same age, and belong to one common system of formation. The 

 succession of strata, and the groups of organic remains in the Gosau sections 

 (especially when brought into comparison with the series of deposits north 

 of the Untersberg), were the foundation of conclusions we need not again 

 repeat. None of the subsequent details of this chapter offer evidence by any 

 means so complete : we venture, however, to affirm, that as far as it goes it 

 does not invalidate but confirms our previous inferences, and is in harmony 

 with our theory respecting the succession of organic forms in the Eastern 

 Alps. 



If the elevations of the various groups described in this chapter offer us a 

 clear proof of the vast movements which have affected the chain within a com- 

 paratively recent geological period, the insulated position of the overlying 

 masses seems also to make it probable that they never existed on the outskirts 

 of the chain, but were deposited within it in deep bays or estuaries. May we 

 not suppose that the shell-marl among the Alpine peaks of Zlam and Gosau, 

 and similar masses of shell-marl which appear (e. g. in the valley east of Ischel, 

 and in one or two lateral valleys on the east bank of the Traun-See) at levels 

 lower by two or three thousand feet, were once almost continuous in a deep 

 bay, of which all traces have been since obliterated by vast disruptions and 

 movements of elevation ? We only offer this as a natural mode of explaining 

 a very great difficulty, arising out of the position of the overlying masses — one, 

 however, which is not immediately connected with any question respecting 

 the age of these masses, or the conclusions we have drawn from their exami- 



