66 Cretaceous Rocks of Pondoland. 



the tops of the shell beds, another indication that these animals met 

 a sudden death in situ. 



The indications all point to a steady depression of the land. No 

 doubt the movement was in stages, with periods of rest between ; but 

 unless the tendency was constantly downwards it is difficult to imagine 

 how upwards of 50 feet of alternating strata could have been laid 

 down one upon another to a number of 30 or more. It is possible 

 that the original beds were still more numerous, as denudation has 

 been vigorously at work since they were again raised above sea 

 level. 



In conclusion, I may say that as a result of my examination of 

 these rocks I am satisfied there is considerable variation in the fossil 

 contents of the various beds. For instance, a bed fairly high up (No. 

 21 on the section) is one mass of Pectens. Just below these, almost 

 in the same stratum, are a number of Veniella, and Protocardia 

 hillana. None of these could I find lower down. Furthermore, in 

 this bed Trigonia shepstonei is exceedingly scarce. In fact in the 

 pecten bed I believe it to be absent, whereas lower down this shell 

 generally provides about fifty per cent of the molluscan fossils. 

 Whether further careful search will allow us to arrange these strata 

 in true zones, time alone will teU, but further investigation of these 

 rocks will well repay the observer who can devote the necessary time 

 and attention. 



JOHN SINGLETON * SONS, GENERAL PRINTERS, DURBAN. 



