CHAP, v Palaeobotany, 1860-1900 153 



horizons. At the same time a clearer view of the ancient 

 Ferns was obtained, and it became probable that they were 

 restricted to comparatively few types, while it gradually 

 began to be doubtful if the Ferns of to-day are their direct 

 descendants. Though the knowledge of the Coniferae was 

 not greatly extended by the revelations of the palaeozoic 

 rocks, investigations into the flora of the mesozoic horizons 

 brought to light new forms approximating to those of the 

 present time. In one important particular they helped to 

 explain what long seemed anomalous to some botanists, 

 the appearance of the almost isolated form Ginkgo : the 

 investigations point to its separation from the Coniferae as 

 we now know them, and its recognition as the ultimate 

 survivor of an independent group. 



