376 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. X. 



ia SO far as their barren fronds are concerned, for the most part 

 resemble Archaeopteris. 



The representative species Archaeopteris Jacksoni, A. Rogersi 

 and A. Gaspieiisis, are described in the Report above referred to, 

 as well as Cyclopteris ohtusa and G. Brownii, both very charac- 

 teristic species. 



Leptophleujn rhomhicum and fragments of Psilophyton are 

 also found in the Upper Erian. There is evidence of the 

 existence of extensive forests probably of Lycopodiaceous trees in 

 this period, in the deposits of spore-cases (Sporangites Huron. 

 ensis) in the shales of Kettle Point, Lake Huron ; and Prof. 

 Orton, of Columbus, Ohio, informs me that extensive deposits 

 of similar character exist in that State, though with accompani- 

 ments which suggest doubt as to the origin above stated. 



The Upper Erian Flora is thus very distinct from that of the 

 Lower Carboniferous, and the unconformable relation of the beds 

 may perhaps indicate a considerable lapse of time. Still, even 

 in countries where there appears to be a transition from the Car- 

 boniferous into the Devonian, the characteristic flora of each 

 formation may be distinguished. 



(2.) Middle Erian Sub-flora. 



Both in Canada and the United States that part of the great 

 Erian System which may be regarded as its middle division, the 

 Hamilton and Marcellus Siiales of New York, the Cordaites 

 Shales of St. John, New Brunswick, and the Middle Shales and 

 Sandstones of the Gasp^ series, presents conditions more favor 

 able to the abundant growth of land plants than either the Upper 

 or Lower member. lu the St. John beds in particular, there is 

 a rich fern flora, comparable with that of the Coal formation. 

 It is, however, distinguished by a prevalence of small and deli- 

 cate species, and by such forms as HymenophyUites and the 

 smaller Spheoopterids, and also by some peculiar ferns, as Arch- 

 aeopteris and Megalopteris. In addition to ferns, it has small 

 Lepidodendra, of which L. Gaspianum is the chief. Catamites 

 occur, C. radiatus being the dominant species. This plant, 

 which in Europe, appears to reach up into the Lower Carbonifer- 

 ous, is so far strictly Erian in America. SigiUarice scarcely 

 appear, but Cordaites is abundant, and the earliest known species 

 of Dadoxylon appear, while the Psilophyton so characteristic of 

 the Lower Erian, still continues, and the remarkable aquatic 



