144 University of California Publications in Geology [ VoL - 7 



HISTOEICAL REVIEW 



The first reference to the formations known as the Monterey 

 series in the literature of Pacific Coast geology is by Dr. W. 

 P. Blake 1 in describing a series of sedimentary rocks, mostly 

 diatomaceous shales, which occurs near the town of Monterey. 

 Dr. Blake's observations were made during the latter part of 

 1854 while he was geologist for the Pacific Railroad Survey. In 

 his description of the formation he refers to it as a "formation 

 teeming with the skeletons of microscopic organisms which 

 appears to overlie and to be conformable to the Tertiary strata 

 that underlie a part of the town of Monterey and to extend to 

 and beyond the Mission of San Carlos." The Tertiary strata 

 underlying the town of Monterey are a part of the formation 

 containing the skeletons of microscopic organisms to which refer- 

 ence is made by Blake. This fact was recognized by him as is 

 indicated in the later part of his report. His separation of the 

 two is probably due to his finding a few casts of foraminifers in 

 the lower horizons instead of the diatoms, which were found in 

 the upper horizon. 



The stratigraphic relations noted by Blake were as follows: 

 The Monterey was seen to rest directly upon the granite of Point 

 Pinos and was not found to be covered by any later formation 

 other than Recent or terrace accumulations along the bay shore. 

 Blake 's description of the lithology of the beds is as full and- com- 

 plete as can be desired. The fauna that is listed in his report is, 

 however, very meagre and is not particularly characteristic of any 

 division of the Tertiary. The species listed were : Tellina con- 

 gesta Conrad, a few borings of Petricola cylindracea, casts of 

 foraminifers, and diatoms. The diatoms were determined by 

 Professor Baily of West Point as belonging to the genus Cosciip- 

 odiscus. 



In 1893 Professor A. C. Lawson published an account of the 

 geology 2 of Carmelo Bay in which he distinctly defined the 

 Monterey series and gave a discussion of its stratigraphy and 



1 Blake, W. P., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad., vol. 7, pp. 328-331, 1855. 

 Also Pacific Bailroad Beports, vol. 5, pp. 180-182, 1855. 



2 Univ. Calif. Publ. Bull. Dept. of Geol., vol. 1, pp. 1-59, 1893. 



