The Carboniferous and Permian rocks near the west coast of Vestspitsbergen have been studied only at a few widely separated points, between which considerable variations in character and thickness take place. These variations are probably due to gentle warping of the underlying Devonian and Hecla Hoek basement, coupled locally with fault movement. Various sedimentary and stratigraphical problems are pointed out, including the delimitation of the Culm and the red formations below the Cyathophyllum Limestones. Extensive reworking of early Carboniferous deposits is suggested. The red beds are probably cyclothemic and the presence of marine bands, as at St. Jonsfjorden, should provide useful datum horizons. During Cyathophyllum Limestones times deposition seems to have been more uniform but thickest in the north and at Isfjorden. Variations in the chert sequence appear to be small. The problem of the "Wittenburg facies" above the cherts is mentioned.