502 



PAL^OBOTANY. 



ous plant-remains, chiefly of a tropical character; one of the 

 most noticeable forms being a Palm of the genus Sabal,(f\g. 

 399, B), now found in America. The plants of the Lower 

 Miocene of Switzerland are also mostly of a tropical character, 

 but include several forms now found in North America, such 

 as a Tulip-tree (Liriodendrori) and a Cypress (Taxodiuni). 

 Amongst the more remarkable forms from these beds may be 

 mentioned Fan-Palms (Chamcerops, fig. 399, A), numerous 

 tropical ferns, and two species of Cinnamon. The plant- 

 remains of the Upper Molasse of Switzerland indicate an 

 extraordinarily rank and luxuriant vegetation, composed 

 mainly of plants which now live in warm countries. Among 

 the commoner plants of this formation may be enumerated 

 many species of Maple (Acer), Plane-trees (Platanus, fig. 400), 

 Cinnamon-trees, and other members of the Lauracece, many 

 species of Proteacea (Banksia, Grevillea, &c.), several species 

 of Sarsaparilla (Smi/ax), Palms, Cypresses, &c. 



Fig. 400. Platanus accroides. a 

 Leaf; 6 The core of a bundle of 

 pericarps ; c A single fruit or peri- 

 carp, natural size. Upper Miocene. 



Fig. 401. Cinnattiti- 

 mum polymorphunt. a 

 Leaf; b Flower. Upper 

 Miocene. 



In Britain, the Lower Miocene strata of Bovey Tracy have 

 yielded remains of Ferns, Vines, Fig, Cinnamon, Proteacece, 

 &c., along with numerous Conifers. The most abundant of 

 these last is a gigantic pine the Sequoia Couttsia which is 

 very nearly allied to the huge Sequoia, ( Wellingtonid) gigantea 

 of California. A nearly-allied form (Sequoia Langsdorffii) has 

 been detected in the leaf-bed of Ardtun in the Hebrides. 



In Greenland, as well as in other parts of the Arctic regions, 

 Miocene strata have been discovered which have yielded a 

 great number of plants, many of which are identical with 

 species found in the European Miocene. Amongst these 



