275 
I consider that complex of strata to correspond to the 
Lower Green-sand or to the Neocomian of the French. 
Unconformably above the inclined Belemnite-strata are 
deposited horizontal banks of a whitish-yellow, very 
finely granulated sandstone of the tertiary age, con- 
taining a great number of fossils such as: Brissus exi- 
mus, Zitt., Sclmaster rotundatus, Zitt. , Cidaris sp., Wald- 
heimia lenticularis , Desh., Terebratulina sp . , Pecten poly - 
morphoides , Zitt., and sharks -teeth. 1 I recommend 
this locality , so abounding in fossils , to future col- 
lectors , who will find here yet a good many curiosities, 
which have escaped my notice in consequence of my 
short allowance of time. 
January 25. Already in Auckland I had heard 
of the existence of coal on the West-coast , about seven 
miles South of the mouth of the Waikato, and I there- 
fore set out to-day for the purpose of inspecting the 
designated spot. I followed the “Queen’s Road,“ a 
much trodden foot-path leading from the Waikato along 
the West-coast to Taranaki, along which a native carries 
every fortnight the mail from Auckland to Taranaki. 
The way leads from the Mission station over meadows 
and fern-hills to the heights of the coast-plateau, about 700 feet above 
the level of the sea. From the height reached first, a beautiful view 
opens northwards over the coast-region between the Waikato and 
Manukau. The mail-steamer was just puffing in front of the entrance 
to the harbour; but, this excepted, there was no other sail in sight 
upon the blue sea , which in long, double and triple, white foaming 
lines of breakers is bordered by the rows of sand-hills at the coast. 
The road continues over hills, at times through ferns, at times through 
tracts of bush which extend from the valleys up to the heights. Upon 
a point, called Maliunga, an unobstructed prospect opens suddenly 
Belemnites 
Aucklandicus 
from the Mouth 
of the Waikato. 
1 All the fossils I collected, are described and delineated in the volume of 
the scientific publications of the Novara Expedition, comprising the Palaeontology of 
New Zealand. 
