AtfNTVEKSABY ADDKESS. 35 



resembling the Mytilus prdblematwus of New Zealand.. These 

 beds are prominent in Hugon and Ducos islands, where they have 

 been much elevated by the Porphyries, or charged with native 

 copper, red oxidulated iron, &c. 



To some of the Porphyry Mons. Grarnier has given the name 

 of brecciated " Melaphyre" which, at best, is a doubtful title, 

 according to Yon Ootta, and perhaps only justified by the 

 absence of quartz from its ingredients. In Hugon Island 

 gypsum is not uncommon. In Ducos Island the porphyry con- 

 tains great crystals of oligoclase, which ultimately decompose to 

 an amygdaloidal wacke, with zeolites and ferruginous globules, 

 taking a spherical form ; and through the mass are veins of quartz 

 and rhombohedral calc spar. 



It is in the midst of the decomposed porphyry and brecciated 

 " Melaphyre " that copper is met with, either diffused in the bor- 

 der rock, or forming veins in the wacke. The latter, however, 

 are separated from from the former by solid porphyry. 



Mons. Eivot, Inspecteur- General des Mines, who visited Lake 

 Superior, recognizes in the mode of occurrence of the copper the 

 most striking resemblance to that of the celebrated American 

 cupriferous region. 



The Coal formation of Noumea, Mont d'Or, and St. Vincent 

 comes next in order, forming low hills of small breadth, extend- 

 ing from the coast to the central magnesian eruptive ranges. It 

 consists of sandstones, conglomerates, and porphyries. The 

 resemblance of the series to the older Carboniferous strata of 

 Europe is such that a mineralogist might consider them, accor- 

 ding to Mons. Jannettaz, of the same age ; but the fossils do 

 not justify such a conclusion. 



Mons. Fischer, speaking of the beds that occur at Koe over 

 the breccia and conglomerates, says : — " These black schists con- 

 tain casts of IAUorina of the group Capitaneus (Munster), and 

 prints of Cardium and of a little bivalve, reminding one by its 

 size and furrows of the Astarte Voltzii of G-oldfuss. The ab- 

 sence of CepJialopods and Brachiopods, as well as the presence of 



