Contributions to the Geology of the Falkland 
Islands. 
By 
J. G. ANDERSSON. 
The first account of the geology of this island group vve owe to CHARLES 
Darwin, who visited East Falkland Island in 1834 during his voyage on board the 
Beagle. 
From Captain SuLIVAN, who carried out coast-survey work in this island group, 
Darwin got information also about the geological features of the large western 
island. 
According to Darwin’s description the geological structure of the islands is ra- 
ther simple: the low undulating land consists of sandstone and slate associated to- 
gether and containing marine palæozoic fossils; above the plain-land rise several ridges 
of folded quartzite, some sections of these hills being figured in Darwin’s paper.' 
The fossils collected by Darwin in the sandstone beds of the Falkland Islands 
were described by J. MORRIS and D. SlIARPE, who mentioned the following species: 
Chonetes Falklandica, OriJiis Siilivani, 0. tenuis., 0. concinna, Atrypa palmata, 
Spirifej- Hau'kinsii, S. antarcticus, S. Orbignii, all new forms, Orbicula sp., Avic7ila 
sp., traces of a crinoid and fragments of a tj'ilobite. These fossils were, according 
to the opinion of the two named authors, allied partly to Silurian, partly to Devon- 
ian types. ^ 
In Darwin’s paper on the geology of the Falkland Islands there is (P. 269) a 
foot-note, the content of which is so important, that it may be quoted here verbally: 
»Captain Sulivan seems to have found on the western island subordinate beds of a 
conglomerate or coarse grauwacke. On this island there appear also to be traces 
of tertiary and boulder formations, corresponding to those of Tierra del Fuego. 
Captain Sulivan observed on the western island numerous basaltic dikes.» 
' Darwin: Geology of the Falkland Islands. Quart. Journal of the Geol. Society. London. 1846. 
P. 267- — 274. 
“ Morris and Sharpe: Description of Eight Species of Brachiopodous Shells from the Palæozoic 
Rocks of the Falkland Islands. Quart. lournal. Geol. Soc. 1846. P. 274 — 278. 
Schwedische Südpolar- Expeditio?i igoi — igoj. i 
MAY 29 Î ’ 
