Observations on the Geology of Franz Josef Land

It is with great diffidence that I venture to communicate some observations on Franz Josef Land to the Geological Society because active labours in other fields of science have, until recently, prevented me from giving much attention to geology. A residence of three years in Franz Josef Land has, however, given me exceptional opportunities for geological investigation in that little-known region, and I venture, therefore, to hope that the following observations may not be without interest. But, in the first place, I must take this opportunity to express my great indebtedness to Messrs. Newton my thanks are also due to my comrades Messrs. A. B. Armitage, H. Fisher, W. S. Bruce, D. W. Wilton, J. F. Child, and J. W. Heyward, for the valuable information and assistance which they have ungrudgingly afforded me. I. G eneral F eatures of the A rchipelago . On approaching Franz Josef Land the observer is struck by the flat-topped, plateau-like aspect which is well known to be a leading feature of all districts largely composed of horizontal sheets of basaltic rock. Even at a distance of 40 miles the nearly horizontal upper edge of the basalt can be seen in the few exposures of rock which protrude through the widespread mantle of snow and ice. A nearer approach reveals the fact that the exposed headlands and rocky masses are formed of successive, sharplydefined tiers of basalt. The horizontal line of the upper sheet, though