In 1861–62 the author visited and examined several of the Tertiary coal-measures of New Zealand; and the paper, of which this is an abstract, contains, or consists of, an epitome of his observations thereon. The collections of specimens made during his excursions, with relative maps and other illustrations, were exhibited to the Society at their Conversazione of 25th February 1863. A suite of coal specimens was submitted to chemical analysis by Professor Murray Thomson, the results of which are included in the paper.