68 . Geological Prodromus. 
ondary class, are found in it. See note, page 64. I think that the 
vegetable origin of this coal is very manifest. If we suppose a vast 
coal pit, consisting of an immense broken down forest of palm trees, 
with an undergrowth of reeds, ferns and coarse grass, deeply cover- 
ed with earth, and highly, but unequally, heated with under flues, so 
that some parts would be slightly charred, leaving the entire forms of 
the vegetables charred, other parts heated to fusion, we should have 
exact prototypes for these coal beds. 
The thin layers of coal in Catskill Mountain, .are in the same con- 
tinued stratum with the Lackawannock coal. 
I think I have facts sufficient to prove, that tar TroGa coat Is 
EMBRACED IN THE THIRD GRAYWACKE, OR UPPER SECONDARY of 
Bakewell and others. It consists chiefly of charred palms, and reeds 
also, where the charring process has been imperfect; but ferns seem 
to be considerably abundant also. Would it be extravagant to say, 
that this district was once covered with vegetables of the culmiferous 
and sted kinds, before a cauline plant was created? Also that they 
were swept from the high grounds into the valley and covered deeply 
with earth? That great and long continued heat was applied, by 
which these vegetables were charred ? 
The thin layers of coal at Ithaca, Seneca Lake and Lake Erie, 
are in this same stratum. 
NOTICES. 
Ihave now personally examined and compared the geological 
strata of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, under the 
direction and at the expense of Mr. Van Rensselaer. I have receiv- 
ed complete suites of specimens, from Dr. Z. Pitcher, Mr. R. Peter, 
and others, exhibiting the entire geology of the circuits of Lakes Su- 
perior, Michigan, Huron, and of the states of Ohio and Illinois. The 
territory which I have personally examined and reviewed, mostly 
several times, is more than double that of all Great Britain. And I 
have before me specimens illustrative of more American territory, 
than all Great Britain, Ireland, France and Switzerland. I have free 
access also to specimens illustrative of the general geology of Europe, 
and the minute geology of some of the most important localities. 
As soon as time will permit, I shall endeavor to discharge my duty 
to Mr. Van Rensselaer, and to the public, by condensing, in as small 
® compass as possible, every thing of importance which has fallen 
