FOSSIL PLAXTS OF THE TERTIARY STRATA. 



609 



(figs. 821-823), and there are often associated with it leaves of 

 Poplars, Elms (fig. 824), and other forest trees. The fossil plants of 

 the Isle of Sheppey have been examined by Bowerbank, and have 

 led to the determination of several hundred species of plants, all of 

 them extinct, and all resembling those of warmer climates. Fruits of 

 Nipadites (Pandanocarpum), a fossil plant, allied to Nipa, one of the 

 Pandanace* ; Hightea, a 5-seeded fruit, probably Malvaceous ; also 

 the fruit of a Proteaceous plant, and of species allied to Canna, Cucum- 

 ber, and the Leguminosas and Coniferae of the present day. To some 

 of them the names of Cupanoides, Wetherellia, Cucumites, and Mimo- 

 sites, have been given. In some of the tertiary formations there occur 

 pieces of wood, which present the structure of that of Pepper-plants 

 and of Palms (figs. 826, 827), and there are also leaves, which 

 have the flabelliform appearance of Palm leaves, included under the 



name of Palmacites (fig. 828). Specimens allied to Chara are also 

 found, with their fructification denominated Gyroyonites. Above the 

 tertiary strata, and forming a continuous series with, the formations 

 of the present day, occur the superficial deposits or the Pleistocene 

 (*-A<<TTOJ, most) group. They are ascribed to the violent action of 

 water, and are sometimes called Diluvial. 



1190. There have thus occurred in this earth successive deposits 

 and creations of plants and animals. These deposits have been vari- 



Fig. 826. Section of a recent Palm stem, to show its structure. The dark dots marking vascu- 

 lar bundles in the midst of cellular tissue. 



Fie 827 A portion of the same magnified, to show the vascular bundles. 

 IS 8 ->s Palmacites Lamanonis. Leaf of a Monocotyledon resembling a Pata. 



2 R 



