Bd. III: 7) 
ANTARCTIC FOSSIL BRACHIOPODA. 
33 
Ciicullaea alta^ etc.) described by WlLCKENS as Upper Oligocène or Lower Mio- 
cene”'. Now Upper Oligocene-Lower-Miocene is the date of the Patagonian forma- 
tion — the Patagonian Molasse, with the fossils of which the Brachiopod-fauna 
from Loc. 13 is comparable (see Table above, p. 31). According to the determina- 
tion of the Lamellibranchiata, then, the strata of Loc. ii are of the same date as 
those of Loc. 13 according to their Brachiopoda; yet the two localities shew no 
Brachiopod species in common, evidence which is against their being of the same 
date, while the other evidence which has been weighed makes it probable that Loc. 
II is much younger than Loc. 13. 
Here then is the problem: the evidence of the Brachiopoda and stratigraphy on 
the one side with that of the Lamellibranchiata on the other — both have been 
stated, and it is difficult to see how the solution of the problem can be further 
adv'anced at present. All that can be done now is to suggest Pliocene-Miocene as 
the date of Loc. 1 1 on its Brachiopod evidence, merely, for the purpose of this paper. 
At Locality 12 is the Pecten Conglomerate, which rests upon a stratum of ba- 
saltic tuffs and lavas. The Brachiopoda from it, when they are not identical with 
recent forms, are very closely allied to them, so that this Brachiopod fauna is com- 
parable with that of the present day. Therefore this Pecten Conglomerate may be 
regarded as very late Pliocene, or as early Pleistocene. 
Dr. Andersson (52) came to the conclusion at once from stratigraphical con- 
siderations that it must be very young Tertiary or very old Quaternary. The zoo- 
logical considerations, so far as the Brachiopoda are concerned, appear to favour 
Quaternary. That it was early Quaternary is probable; but it would be unsafe to 
found any argument on the fact that the Jllagasella and Hcmithyris which are 
the principal Brachiopods in the Pecten-conglomerate, have not been found living, 
and that that indicates a faunal change for which time must be allowed. Little 
investigation in the way of dredging has been done in these Antarctic seas. But 
two new species of Màgcllania were found by the British Expedition (A. E. Smith) 
in about the same latitude as these fossil forms — off the ice barrier; and so the 
Maghsella and Heniithyris may yet be found living in these Antarctic seas. In fact, 
zoological considerations would perhaps be rather less safe guides than the geologi- 
cal. The condition and position of the deposit and what evidence it gives for ele- 
vation of land might be better taken into consideration in any question of its age. 
It can only be said that the Brachiopods have a wholly Recent affinity. 
Taking the sequence of the strata of these Antarctic Islands to be Glauconitic 
Bank, Seymour Island younger beds, and Pecten-conglomerate, from older to youn- 
ger, then the annexed Table II, will show at a glance the general faunal sequence. 
‘ In Litt. Oct. 14, 1908. 
5 — 082114 Schwedische Siidpolar-Expediiicn jgoi- — igop. 
