316 Geology of 



CHAPTER XI. 



The Paeeoea Foe^iation. 



In speaking of the Oamaru formation, I have already stated that I 

 had included with it in the Geological Map attached to this Eeport, 

 the next, or Pareora formation. The latter is generally found reposing 

 on the edges of the former, or where the Oamaru formation occurs in 

 basins, towards its centre. It generally owes its preservation to 

 harder calcareous beds, often consisting almost entirely of fossil shells, 

 which"are interstratified with more sandy and incoherent strata. 



Extent. 



Starting from the north-east portion of the Province, we find a 

 well-defined zone of the Pareora formation beginning five miles north 

 of the Motanau, and thence following the coast to some miles south 

 of the mouth of the AVaipara, where the Canterbury plains begin. 

 Other portions occur in the Blythe, Greta, and Waikari rivers, where 

 they form conspicuous cliffs. After crossing a small saddle of palaeozoic 

 rocks at the head of the TTaikari, we meet it again in the valley of 

 the Omihi and Glenmark creeks, whence it follows the eastern 

 foot of the ranges as far as the Okuku river, forming also outliers 

 on both banks of the Ashley river, of which that called the Moeraki 

 Downs on its southern banks is the most important. We also find it 

 well-developed in the upper course of the "Waipara, near Heathstock. 

 Between the "Waiinakariri and Eangitata, at a few isolated spots inland, 

 the Pareora formation is only represented by small outliers; but 



