THE PERMIAN AND TRIASSIC SYSTEMS. 



709 



At the foot of these mountains coal-measures are found, above which are unconformable 

 strata of the Lower New Red sandstone, grls rouge andgres de Vosges. The latter is covered 

 by the grcs bigarres, or variegated sandstone, the intermediate beds, which are wanting, 

 having probably been denuded off, as the surface of the gres de Vosges exhibits consider 

 able degradation. This is overlain by the smoke-grey limestone, or muschelkalk, and then 

 the marls occur, called marnes irisees, from their varied hues. But both in France and 

 Germany the upper part of the series constitutes a separate system, under the name of 

 terrain keuprique, or trias, from being readily divisible into three principal groups, 

 those named at the head of the table, which contain many remains of terrestrial plants, 



Phterophyllum Pleiningerii. 



Voltzia heterophylla. 



Coniferse and Cycadese, represented in the cut. This arrangement is now adopted by 

 English geologists, who divide the series into two independent systems, the Permian and 

 Triassic. The former embraces the lower members, and has its name from the government 

 of Perm in Eussia, where Sir E. Murchison, in 1841, found them extensively developed, 

 occupying an area twice the size of France. The latter includes the upper members, and 

 derives its name from the well-marked triple group, exhibited in Germany and France. 

 This division has been made in consequence of the respective fossils indicating connection with 

 distinct epochs of life. Thus the Permian fossils are allied to those of the coal-measures 

 below, and therefore belong to the Palaeozoic (ancient life) period, while the Triassic fossils 

 are allied to the oolitic above, and hence belong to the Mesozoic (middle life) period. 



It will be sufficient simply to mention this new arrangement. In a popular description 

 of the strata, it may be disregarded, and both systems be referred to as the New Eed 

 sandstone series. It occupies a vast extent of the area of England, stretching fn a belt 

 from south Devon to the midland counties, where it expands and bifurcates, the east 

 branch passing up the valley of the Trent, through Yorkshire, into Durham, and the west 

 branch running up from Cheshire in a narrow devious course to the north of Lancashire. 

 Mr. Conybeare notices the prevailing red colour of the soil of this district as having 

 given to many places their local names ; in Exeter, to Eougemont Castle, now a 

 prison ; in Somersetshire, to Eadford, Eed-hill, and Eedcliff ; in Gloucestershire, to 

 Eedbrook ; in Worcestershire, to Eed Marley ; in Nottinghamshire, to Eetford, 

 Eadford, Eatcliffe, and Eed-hill, at the junction of the Trent and Soar ; in 

 Yorkshire, to Eed Mire, Eed Ho, and Eed Bar Eocks, which appear on the sea- 

 coast between Guisborough and Hartlepool. The general aspect of the district ex 

 hibits a series of levels, with gently undulating ridges, but without any considerable 



