NOMENCLATURE OF STRATA. 29 



evidence furnished of continuity and a gradual succession 

 of living beings, by the development of higher and higher 

 types, and culminating in the appearance of Man upon the 

 earth.^ 



The subject of the Classification and Nomenclature of the 

 Stratified Rocks is one on which very little agreement is found 

 among geologists. Even the Reports of British Sub-Committees 

 for the International Geological Congress (1885) offer no authori- 

 tative and comprehensive scheme, while the most recent writers 

 differ very largely in the use of terms.- Under these circumstances 

 it appears best to adhere, wherever possible, to old and well-known 

 names. 



The Table on the opposite page shows the classification adopted 

 in this work, the names introduced are those which have a general 

 application in this country, although the divisions are far from 

 equal in value — the further local divisions are given in the sequel. 



1 See Dr. H. Woodward, G. Mag. 1874, p. 289 ; Dr. P. M. Duncan, Address 

 to Geol. Soc. 1878. 



2 W. T. Blanford, G. Mag. 1884, p. 320 ; A. J. Jukes- Browne, Ibid. p. 525, 

 18S5, p. 293; H. Hicks, Ibid. p. 359. 



