47 
xisting. The solution of many important economic questions in- 
-olved in stratigraphical research, apart from the study of the evolu- 
tion of this portion of the earth’s surface encourages the hope that an 
;arly investigation of these sedmentary rocks of Papua will be under- 
;aken by some competent observer. 
So far as at present understood, the sedmentary formations of 
British New Guinea are as follows : — 
1. Kevori Grits. — Post Tertiary , Grits, Sandstones and Con- 
glomerates. 
2. Port Moresby Beds. — Pliocene Tertiary , Greenish Sandy 
Shales, Limestones and Siliceous Beds of Port Moresby. 
3. Boioro Limestones of Undetermined Age , Greyish Lime- 
stones, etc., of Boioro and the Coast. 
4. Purari RiVEk Beds. — Cretaceous , Blue Limestones and 
"Green Sandstones of the Purari River. 
5. Strickland River Shales. — Jurassic Indurated Calcareous 
Shales of the Strickland River, an important tributary of the Fly River. 
6. Tauri Limestones. — Devonian Limestone. 
7. Metamorphic Rocks, Crystalline Schists, etc.— Age un- 
determined ; Archaean ? 
1. Kevori Grits. — In the Kevori District, which is situated to 
the north-west of Hall’s Sound, are a series of sandstones, grits, and 
conglomerates. The strata consist of fragments of quartz, slate, and 
volcanic rocks, cemented together by carbonate of lime. Some of the 
sandstone strata are much more calcareous than others, dhe strata 
appear to have suffered but little disturbance since the date of their 
formation. They dip at a low angle to the north-east ; and as they 
are followed westward, the strata pass into conglomerate, consisting of 
slate, quartz and volcanic rock, cemented by carbonate of lime. 
It is not with any definite intention of correlating similar beds 
that it is stated strata of an identical physical aspect are known to me 
at the following places in New Guinea : — Mailu ( 1 oulon Island), the 
divide between Tauwara (Milne Bay) and Pouro (Mullen s Harbour), 
and Redcliff, on the north-east coast of the Possession near the 
German frontier. The Kevori grits yielded no fossils to me, hence 
the only clue to their age is the fact that they rest upon strata of 
Pliocene Tertiary Age. It may be noted that the gasteropod, Neritina 
Gagates , was met in the Post Tertiary rocks of the Aird Hills in the 
Douglas River, and that this species was obtained in the living state by 
Mr. J. Brazier at the Katau River, in the “ Chevert ” expedition. 
