46
Coloured orrIndex-Map.
Sepia-
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2 r . ft zwn*^ > ~' - ?
a. Maitai series, b. Limestones.
a. Te Anau series, b. Kakanui series.
a. Baton River series, b. Limestones.c. Serpentine.
a. Aorere series, b . Marbles, c. Horn-blende rock.
Metamorphic Bocks .
Purple. XVI. Foliated schists.
Crimson
Lake.
XVII. Crystalline rocks..XVIII. Granite.
Igneous Bocks.
( XIX. Plutonic and dyke rocks.Carmine. <
L XX. Basic volcanic rocks.Pink. XXI. Acidic volcanic rocks.
New Zealand presents a peculiar feature on the surface of theglobe, as, notwithstanding its isolated position, its structure is highlycomplicated, in which respect it differs from that of most of theoceanic islands. It is, in fact, the remnant of a large continent,which, formerly extending far to the eastward, has been reduced inarea by the erosive action of the sea. There is reason to believe, fromconsideration of the existing and extinct fauna and flora, that thecontinent of which it formed part may have been connected in thetemperate zone with South America . On the other hand, there isno clear evidence of its having been connected during Tertiary timeswith Australia , lying to the westward.
On the whole, the geological record, so far as yet known, is morecomplete in the New Zealand than in the Australian area. TheTertiary strata are perhaps equally well developed, and the distinguish-ing facies of each existing fauna is discernible as early as the Eocene formations. The upper Mesozoic formations arc very imperfectly