1892. ] NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 99 
specimens there is some indication of plant remains, either in the 
form of lignite, stems, leaves, or fruit. Considerable work yet 
remains to be done on the material now in hand, and there is no 
doubt that more can be collected as soon as the weather is such as 
to permit of field work. 
The remains comprise conifers, apparently allied to Sequoia and 
Pinus; Thinfeldia Lesquereuxiana, Heer; Eucalyptus’ Geinitzii, 
Heer ; Protzxoides daphnogenoides, Heer; Laurus plutonia, Heer ; 
Liriodendron simplex, Newb., which latter is by far the most 
abundantly represented species ; Diospyros primeva, Heer, besides 
many others which might be provisionally referred to other well- 
recognized cretaceous types. There are also some specimens which 
may represent undescribed species, but as nearly the entire series 
will doubtless be duplicated in the forthcoming flora of the Amboy 
clays by Dr. Newberry, and as there is no desire on my part to 
anticipate any of this work, it has been thought best to leave all 
doubtful material until some time in the future. For this reason 
only such specimens have been figured in the accompanying plates 
as are unmistakably referable to previously described cretaceous 
species. Nor shall I attempt to discuss whether or not these species - 
have been placed in their proper genera by their respective authors. 
My object in presenting this paper in its present shape has been, 
first, to place all the facts upon record in a compact and available 
' form, and second, to assist in the solution of the problem as to the 
extent and character of the cretaceous strata on Staten Island. 
With the foregoing facts in our possession it seems reasonable to 
consider that the existence of cretaceous strata throughout the area 
mentioned has been proven, and that they are of marine origin. 
Other points of interest, however, remain to be discussed. 
The character of the rock, in which the organic remains occur, 
will naturally be the first to attract attention. In every instance, 
except in the case of the plastic clay bed at Kreischerville, the con- 
eretionary nature of the rock is apparent ; the nucleus being a mass 
of clay or ‘‘ kaolin’ in which are inclosed the molluscs or plant re- 
mains, as the case may be. Limonite often forms as a crust over 
the outside, nodules of pyrite are frequently included, and the 
nucleus becomes transformed into a hard clay iron-stone, sand- 
stone, or even chert. A large series of specimens collected show 
every stage in the process of formation from soft clay or “ kaolin” 
to hard rock. In the softer material some of the carbon of the 
vegetation may yet be seen, but in the completely transformed 
material nothing except the impressions of leaves or stems remains. 
Finally, the question will undoubtedly be asked, are these fossils in 
place where found? In order to answer this question intelligently, 
each locality should be considered separately. At Tottenville the 
fossiliferous rock has only been found on the shore at the base of a 
bluff, some twenty feet in height, composed almost entirely of drift 
material. The summit is fine sand, then bowlder clay, in which 
glaciated stones are abundant, and finally more or less irregularly 
