Eocene Epoch, 89 



accidental case in the Eocene deposits, and the Paris basin 

 presents none of these fossils. 



" The Tertiary basin of Belgium, which follows that of 

 London, has yielded, near Brussels, some fossil fruits in very 

 small numbers, but which appear identical with one of the 

 genera most abundant at Sheppey. This is the Nipadites, 

 considered at first as a species of Coco, under the name of 

 Cocus burtini. 



" Lastly, following the advice of my learned associate, M. 

 Elie de Beaumont, I have included in the same Flora the 

 plants contained in the Lignites of the shores of the Baltic 

 and Pomerania, so rich in amber, in which these vegetables 

 have often been preserved. It is to the labours of M. Goep- 

 pert that we are indebted for a knowledge of these vege- 

 tables, most frequently represented by very small fragments, 

 the relations of which he has determined with much skill and 

 accuracy." 



With materials collected in these various localities, but of 

 which the greater part are still unpublished, we may con- 

 struct the Flora of the Eocene epoch ; but the list, compre- 

 hending only the species described, or at least determined, is 

 only a mere sketch. 



M. Brongniart then gives the names of the vegetables 

 belonging to the Eocene epoch ; these are, for the Amphi- 

 genous cryptogams, alga3, and mushrooms ; for the Acro- 

 genous cryptogams, hepatici, mosses, ferns, equisetaceee, and 

 characese. The Monocotyledons present Naiades, Nipacese, 

 and palms. The Gymnospermous dicotyledons are repre- 

 sented by Coniferse (Cupressinae, Abietinese, Taxineae, and 

 Gnetacese.) Lastly, among the Angiospermous dicotyle- 

 dons, we find examples of Betulacese, Cupuliferse, Juglan- 

 dese, Ulmacese, Proteacese, Leguminosse, CEnothereae, Cucur- 

 bitacese, SapindacesD, Malvacese, Ericaceae, and three doubt- 

 ful families (Phyllites, Antholithes, and Carpolithes.) 



" The most remarkable characters of this Flora are, — 



*' \st, The great quantity of Algae and marine Naiades, 

 characters owing to the extent and thickness of the marine 

 formations of this epoch. 



" 2dy The great number of Conifei*se, the greater part be- 



