468 a F. Ilarit—Geohgical Survey of Brazil 



Ferrez. Opening a provisional laboratory [in the City of Per- 

 narabuco], I commenced the examination of the vicinity, soon 

 discovering limestone beds of the Cretaceous formation con- 

 taining many species of fossils. The explorations were con- 

 tinued northward as far as Catuama. At Maria Farinha, Cre- 

 taceous rocks were found so rich in fossils that several weeks 

 were spent in carefully studying the formation, making a map 

 of the locality, determining accurately the position and se- 

 quence of the strata, and collecting enormous quantities of fos- 

 sils, among which are very many new species. Other col- 

 lections were obtained from the vicinity of Olinda, from 

 Iguarassu, from the island of Itamaraca, and at Catuama. 



i studied with especial care the limestones which are used 

 for lime-making, analyses of which will be given in my report, 

 and I am also preparing for the same report a chapter on the 

 manufacture of lime and the construction of calcining furnaces. 



The examination of the coast was then continued as far as 

 Santo Agostinho, including a reconnoissance along the line of 

 the railroad to Una, with excursions from several points upon 

 both sides. The geology of this portion of the country is, 

 however, extremely monotonous and of little interest. 



At the same time I examined carefully the reefs along the 

 coast, — whose geological features are of the highest importance 

 to the country. As I have already indicated to your Excel- 

 lency, these are of two classes : 1. Coral Retfs, composed of cal- 

 careous material derived from the debris of certain species of 

 Polyps, Acalephs, and calcareous plants, and 2. Consolidated 

 Praias [Beaches], made up of compacted siliceous sand. The 

 reef of Pernambuco is a representative of the latter class 

 This I examined very minutely, and, with the aid of Drs. 

 Jordao and Freitas, made a map of a portion of it. Senhor 

 Ferrez, under my direction, procured a fine series of photo- 

 graphs exhibiting its structure and appearance. 



In the study of these reefs a magnificent collection of corals 

 was obtained, including hundreds of large specimens, with 

 many new species. Along with these, and with very httle 

 trouble, we gathered large numbers of marine animals, such as 

 fishes, Echinoderms, Crustaceans, etc., etc., among which there 

 is an extraordinary variety of unknown forms. 



In September I went with the members of the Oommis 



a little above t 



river in a sailing-boat as far as Piranhas, the limit of navigation. 

 At that place, thanks to Senhor Yentura, we found prompt con- 

 veyance to the falls, where we remained eight days. Senhor 

 Ferrez took a series of views of the most characteristic points. 

 This was an extremely laborious task, and I cannot but com- 



