FOSSIL FLORAS. 703 



the abundance of Angiosperinous Phanerogams, Dicotyledons, and 

 Monocotyledons above all, Palmaceas. But a sort of transition 

 takes place from the Cretaceous period to the Eocene. In this 

 system, however, the proportion of Gymnosperms rapidly de- 

 creases, and the Cycadaceas disappear from Europe, while the 

 Conifers approach the character of the existing genera of temperate 

 regions. 



Eocene Flora. The distinctive characteristics, as compared with other 

 epochs, are the presence, though rare, of Palraaceee, Nipadites, the com- 

 parative abundance of Algae and marine Monocotyledons (Caulinites, 

 Zosterites, .fee.), and the existence in Europe of numerous now exotic 

 forms, such as Gleichenia among Ferns, especially represented by the 

 fossil fruits of the Isle of Sheppey, the Barton Bed in the Isle of Wight, 

 &c. Though less rich than the Miocene, these formations include a large 

 number of species of an Australian or Indian type, such as Lauracete, 

 Aralia, Anona, Ficus, various Proteacese, Petrophila, Isrtpogon. Temperate 

 species, such as are found in the Miocene, are wanting. 



Miocene Flora. A very rich flora. No less than 900 species 

 have been detected in one locality in Switzerland by Heer. The 

 Australo-Indian forms give place to plants of an American type, 

 resembling the existing vegetation of the United States, Mexico, 

 and Japan. One of the most striking features is the abundance of 

 Palmaceae, Sabal, together with Gamopetalous Dicotyledons, espe- 

 cially a supposed Rubiaceous genus, Steinhawria. The list of fossils 

 contains also a Bambusa, Lauracese, Combretaceae, Legurninosae, 

 Apocynaceae, Vitis, belonging to warm climates, with many Amen- 

 taceous trees, Populus mutabilis, Carpinus, Aceraceae, Proteaceae, 

 Nymphaeacese, and other plants now belonging to temperate 

 regions. Numerous vegetable remains occur in beds of this forma- 

 tion at Bovey Tracey, Devonshire, and in the Isle of Wight. At 

 Bovey Tracey one bed is described as a perfect mat of the debris of 

 a Sequoia intermediate between the existing Red-wood, 8. semper- 

 virens, and 8. gigantea ( Wellingtons) of California. At QEningen, 

 on the Rhine, are beds of this formation containing numerous 

 insects and plants, the latter being of special interest in this case, 

 because the leaves are so often associated with fruits, rendering 

 the identification so much more trustworthy. Numerous Maples 

 with foliage and samaras have been found. Planes also are found 

 with leaves and fruit, and with the bark peeling off, as in existing 

 species. 



The flora of the Miocene period, as a whole, is of a subtropical and 

 temperate character, and presents many American forms, such as Liqui- 

 dambar, Sequoia, &c. In the Arctic regions, Greenland, &c., Miocene 

 beds occur, very rich in vegetable remains, many of which are pronounced 

 identical with those of the Miocene beds of Central Europe. In these 

 now inhospitable regions once grew at least ten species of Conifers, in- 



