II 



preconceived opinions were correct. Subsequently, he ascertained that 

 seldom were two of these trunks to be found lying parallel to each 

 other, but upon and crossing each other, often at right angles. He 

 also observed that the roots of the standing butts were as likely to 

 spread out above these prostrate trunks as below them, and further, 

 that the standing butts which were embedded in the lower part were 

 not more than as one to ten of the trunks. 



As previous observers appeared now to have noticed these facts, 

 he determined to examine into and satisfy himself on the subject. 

 These investigations caused him to change his original opinion ; he 

 concluded that the whole of the forestal remains found in these beds 

 drifted from elsewhere. Under any circumstances, the tree-trunks 

 and boughs must have been covered up where they were now found 

 by the natural growth and deposition of the fresh water plants of 

 which these beds were formed. 



Was it possible to account for these different conditions of sound- 

 ness, if the fact were excluded that one must have been more decayed 

 than the other previous to embedding ? Strong evidence that the 

 trees exposed on the surface had not grown and been broken down 

 where they were now found was afforded by the fact, that of the 

 hundreds of trees exposed, it was almost impossible to find a prostrate 

 trunk in such a position near a standing butt as would suggest the 

 idea that they might have formed one entire tree. Nevertheless, the 

 smallest roots and branches of these trees were, with their bark and 

 epidermis, in the most perfect condition preserved in these beds ; and 

 it should be borne in mind by those who argued that these trees had 

 lived and died where they were found, that such portions as had 

 grown above the earth, including trunks, branches, &c., would lie 

 exposed to the decaying influence of air, moisture, and insects for an 

 indefinite period of time before they could, from the natural growth 

 of vegetation from below, and the annual fall of the leaves, &c., from 

 above, become covered and buried by a vegetable soil. 



The tree butts had sunk through water to where they were found, 

 and the materials of which the beds were made up was gradually 

 formed by deposition. To his mind one fact was in itself conclusive, 

 that these trees could not have grown where they were now seen. 

 The peats being stratified and verj' finely laminated would give proof 

 or evidence of the intrusion of a foreign body, and he hesitated not to 

 assert that it would be impossible for a root in its first stage of growth 



