Most recently, the "Banxi" problem has become a focus for discussion of tectonic geology in South China since a new model has been made by Hsu et al. (1988, 1990 etc. ) that the "Banxi" represents a trench-related flysch and melange complex associated with the closure of a Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic "Banxi ocean basin". The nature and age of the "Banxi" are obviously a matter of controversy. Contrary to the characterization of Hsu et al. , the authors of this paper hold that the Penhsi Group consists of a Late Proterozoic sequence lying unconformably on the Lengjiaxi Group and overlain in turn by the Sinian in Hunan.In this paper, the authors report their observations on the Precambrian, Cambrian, Ordovi-cian and Silurian stratigraphy in northern and central Hunan extending across the Xuefeng Mountains. The change of facies arrangement of Ordovician rocks from Dayong through Taoyuan and Taojiang to Qidong indicates continuous facies changes from carbonate platform through a carbonate ramp to a basinal slope. These changes are marked by the progressive de- crease in carbonate deposits and concommitant increase in argillite content in a southeasterly direction.The paper summarizes the sedimentary features and facies distribution of the pre-Devonian rocks in northern Hunan and then proposes a realtively simple tectonic model. The model presents the interpretation of the geologic ages and contact relations among the various units of eastern South China, which is in agreement with that put forward by many geologists through many years of work but is unlike the interpretation given by Hsu et al. In particular the authors emphasize that the Penhsi in its type region is neither a sequence of trench-fill turbidites nor melanges, but instead marks the earliest drift related sediments of the eastern Yangtze passive margin.