1893. ] NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 191 
PART I. 
The phenomena connected with the distribution of our living 
floras and faunas have always interested and frequently puzzled, 
those who have tried to understand the meaning of many of the 
facts involved. The subject has been discussed by Gray, Wal- 
lace, Darwin, and other noted scientists, besides a number of 
other observers in all parts of the world, but the importance 
of the subject as a factor in the interpretation of geological 
phenomena has not received the attention which it deserves. 
The object of this contribution may, therefore, be considered 
as an effort to demonstrate, in regard to the region here dis- 
cussed, how the facts connected with the distribution of its flora 
may be of aid in the solution of some of the problems connected 
with its geology, and ultimately, perhaps, to lead to similar ob- 
servations and comparisons elsewhere. 
The fact that certain geological formations support character- 
istic living floras, as readily to be recognized and differentiated 
as are the fossil floras contained in their rocks, has long been 
known and commented upon. That is tosay, certain plants are 
recognized as being invariably associated with areas of certain 
geological formations. Such a condition prevails upon Staten 
Island, as noted by me some years since*, where the flora grow- 
ing upon the cretaceous and that growing upon the drift are so 
remarkably distinct that the fact could not fail to attract atten- 
tion. Similar facts were also noted by Dr. N. L. Britton in New 
Jerseyf, and by others in more widely separated locali- 
ties{, and the few references here given will indicate, in a 
general way, the scope of such observations in the United 
States, in case it may be desired to learn more from them in 
regard to what has been done along this line of investigation. 
Probably one of the best recognized and most characteristic 
of our eastern North American floras is the one generally 
known as the Pine Barren flora, which is such a prominent feature 
throughout the eastern and southern parts of New Jersey and 
southward. The northward extension of this flora through 
Staten Island and Long Island was made the subject of a paper 
*“Relations between Geological Formations and the Distribution of 
Plants.” (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, vii. 14, 15). 
+ Preface to “A Preliminary Catalogue of the Flora of New Jersey.” (Geol. 
Surv. N. J., 1881). 
+“The Geological Distribution of North American Forests.” Thos. J. 
Howell. (Pop. Sei. Month. xxiii. 517-524. 
“The ean of the Flora to the Geological Formation in Lincoln County, 
Kentucky.” A. Evans. (Bot. Gaz. xiy. 310-314', ete. 
