88 M. De CandoUe on Foss'il Vegetables. 



Subsequent researches will unquestionably modify these pro- 

 portions ; but it is not probable that they will alter the princi- 

 pal characteristics of this epoch, viz. the predominance of tJie 

 woody atheogumece, and the gigantic height of these species, 

 when compared with those which exist at the present time. 



The most remarkable discovery which has been made in the 

 fossils of coal mines, since the publication of M. Brongniart's 

 work, has been that of some coniferae,* a family which attracts 

 much attention in subsequent epochs, and which, in a botanical 

 point of view, is amongst the dicotyledons, one of those which 

 approaches the nearest to the aetheogameae. 



Third Epoch — Magnesian Limestone. — This formation con- 

 tains few fossils belonging to the vegetable kingdom. The 

 schists of Mansfeld, and the coal measures of Hoganes at 

 Schonen in Sweden, which geologists regard as very similar 

 to schists, have furnished M. Brongniart with only eight species. 

 They are all marine; seven belong to the Fucoides, and one to 

 the Naiades. 



§ 2. Second Period — Inferior Deposit Series. 



Fourth Epoch — Variegated Sandstone. — M. Brongniart enu- 

 merates nineteen species in this formation, which have been 

 principally found at Soultz-les-bains. Their discovery is princi- 

 pally due to M. Voltz, Engineer of Mines at Strasbourg. They 

 may be classed as follows : — 



Total, 19 . 100 



So far as a judgment may be formed from the relative pro- 



• Fossil Flora. 



