BY A. B. WALKOM 3 
This particular study—the geographical distribution 
of the floras of the past—is one of the most interesting 
aspects of the subject of paleobotany, and a treatment 
of even the Queensland fossil floras from this point of 
view could only be very inadequately carried out within 
the limits of such an address as this. My main object is, 
therefore, to indicate as concisely as possible, the extent 
to which our fossil floras aré known. With regard to 
Queensland the time is opportune for the preparation of 
such a summary. Within the past few years a systematic 
examination of the Mesozoic floras has been carried out, 
revealing their variety and enabling them to be correlated, 
with some degree of certainty, with floras in other parts 
of the world. Earlier examinations had, in some cases, 
proved inconclusive and in others, largely as a result of 
paucity of material, erroneous correlations were made. 
Some of the latter have become so firmly established that 
it is a matter of some difficulty to eliminate them. 
The most notable example is with regard to the age of 
the Burrum Series which was formerly believed to be 
older than the Ipswich Series, mainly on account of the 
plants which were available at the time. It has been 
known definitely since 1912, and has repeatedly appeared 
in print, that the Burrum Series is much younger than the 
Ipswich Series, yet as late as 1917 such a_ well-known 
geologist as Professor Gregory still retained the old 
classification. * 
The following account is intended to indicate the 
most recent opinions regarding the fossil-plant contents 
and the correlation of the strata, and to assist in clearing 
away any confusion which may still exist regarding the 
ages of the strata in Queensland. 
Before proceeding to the details regarding the various 
floras I may be permitted to offer a few general remarks 
on the subject of Paleobotany and the difficulties with 
which the student has to contend. It must not be for- 
gotten that fossil plants may be regarded from two distinct 
*Report on Nomenclature of the Carboniferous, Permo-Carboniferous, 
and Permian rocks of the Southern Hemisphere. Brit. Ass. Ady. Sc., 
1917 (p. 14 of report). 
