686 APPENDIX. 



(K.) — Fossils of the Palaeozoic Rocks. 



Classification of Fossil Ferns. — In the text I have not departed from the 

 ordinary arrangement, based on form and venation, though I have studied 

 with much interest the arrangement of Goeppert and of other German 

 Pakeobotanists, based on the fructification as far as known. Since I could 

 not, however, apply this system throughout, I have thought it better not 

 to attempt to do so in part ; and have merely referred to any traces of 

 fructification observed. I had hoped, before publishing the lists contained 

 in this work, to have had the benefit of Schimper's revision of the species 

 in his forthcoming " Traite de Palasontologie Vege'tale ;" but this work has 

 not reached me up to the time of writing these lines. 



Carboniferous Shells. — Since writing the paragraphs on these, I have 

 seen Geinitz's " Memoir on the Carboniferous and Permian of Nebraska " 

 (Nov., Acta, 1867). Among several identical species and closely allied 

 forms in that distant region, I observed a shell referred to Area striata, 

 Schlot, which closely resembles the young of my Macrodon Hardingi, 

 though probably distinct. Mr Meek, however, in a recent criticism of 

 Professor Geinitz's paper, identifies this and others of his species with forms 

 described by American authors. 



Silurian Land Plants. — The oldest land plants as yet found in Britisli 

 North America are the Rhizomes of Psilophyton, referred to in the text as 

 occurring in the Upper Silurian (Lower Helderberg) of Gaspe". I observe, 

 however, that Professor Geinitz announces the discovery in Germany of 

 a Lepidodendron and a Sternbergia, or plants resembling these, in rocks 

 believed to be Lower Silurian ; and mentions that Barrande has made a 

 similar discovery in Bohemia. The specimens would appear not to be of 

 a very decided character ; but the discovery, if confirmed, is very impor- 

 tant, and would modify the statements in the text as to the oldest land 

 Flora. 



Fossils from Northern Queen's County. 



At page 617, I have mentioned the occurrence of fossils in this district, 

 and the probability that rocks newer than the Lower Silurian occur in it. 

 I have recently been enabled, by the kindness of Mr Poole and of Mr Kelly 

 of the Department of Mines, Halifax, to examine a small collection of fossils 

 procured by the former gentleman in Brookfield from loose masses. Both 

 in mineral character and in the contained fossils, which are, however, very 

 obscure, these specimens resemble the Lower Devonian rocks of Nictaux ; 

 and unless they have been drifted from the northward, would tend to confirm 

 my conjecture of 1855, that " more modern rocks than those of the Atlantic 

 coast may be expected to occur" in this district, and, consequently, that 

 the distribution of the formations in this little known region in the western 

 part of Nova Scotia, may be considerably different from that indicated on 

 the map. 



(L.) Huronian of New Brunswick. 

 Mr G. F. Matthew has communicated to me some observations on these 



