The international geography . isting ofa central basin of younger rocks surrounded by a belt of older formations,which is incomplete on the eastern coasts. The older rocks comprise avast series of slates and schists with much intrusive granite in the south-west and to the north, separated by a distinct unconformity from succeed-ing sandstones, quartzites, and shales. The Table Mountain sandstone isthe most important formation of this series, as it forms all the chief moun-tain ranges in the south-west of the colony, while the auriferous con-glomerates of the Transvaal are usually assigned to i
The international geography . isting ofa central basin of younger rocks surrounded by a belt of older formations,which is incomplete on the eastern coasts. The older rocks comprise avast series of slates and schists with much intrusive granite in the south-west and to the north, separated by a distinct unconformity from succeed-ing sandstones, quartzites, and shales. The Table Mountain sandstone isthe most important formation of this series, as it forms all the chief moun-tain ranges in the south-west of the colony, while the auriferous con-glomerates of the Transvaal are usually assigned to it. The Central,Basin is bounded by a curious series of conglomerates collectively knownas the Dwyka conglomerate, which contains striated boulders probablyof glacial origin. Within the conglomerate belt lies a vast thickness ofgently folded shales and sandstones, th-e lowest known as the Ecca beds,to which succeed the Karroo and Stormberg beds. The Karroo bedsare interesting as yielding peculiar reptilian remains and having a. 15 20 25 50^ Fig. 467.—The Mountain System of South Africa. Cape Colony 987 considerable number of diamantiferous pipes, especially near the borderof Cape Colony and the Orange River Colony, while the Stormberg bedsare conspicuous as the South African coal-bearing formation. The whole of the peripheral area is much contorted, flexured, andfaulted ; and, as a result of one of the faults on the south, an area built upof the younger Ecca beds remains, which points to a former much greaterextension of the more recent central formations. The entire region hassuffered enormous denudation; and, as many of the formations, especiallytowards the interior, consist of beds lying almost horizontally, table-likemountains are extremely common. Climate.—The variation of climate in Cape Colony is dependent onrain rather than on temperature, the latter having a comparatively mode-rate range. Thus along the sea-coast the thermometer averages 60° F. inthe coldest month
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectgeography, bookyear19
