C.32 



HISTOllY OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



that in whatever latitude or region of tlie globe 

 8uch coal deposits exist, the vegetables entering 

 into their composition have, so far as investiga- 

 tion into the subject has gone, been found identical 

 in character. Thus, in America, New Holland, 

 India, and Europe, the genera, and for the most 

 part the species of fossiliferous plants of the car- 

 bonaceous series, have been found the same. Tliis 

 circumstance, so different from what occurs with 

 regard to the existing vegetation, would lead to 

 the conclusion, that in certain remote periods of 

 the eartli's history a more uniform distribution 

 of plants, and consequently of temperature, 

 existed. 



As the study of fossil botany is yet almost in 

 its infancy, and as every year is disclosing new 

 epecies, it may be expected that the numerical 

 amount of plants of the ancient strata may yet 

 greatly increase. Yet it must be borne in mind, 

 tliat the fragile nature of innumerable species, 

 must have entirely prevented their coming down 

 to our times in any degree of preservation, and 

 tlms, that we are not hastily to conclude that 

 the ancient flora was less numerous than the 

 modem. From some interesting experiments of 

 Professor Lindley, it would appear also, that 

 certain kinds of plants resist decay and destnic- 

 tion much more effectually than others. This 

 botanist, having immersed in a tank of fresh 

 water upwards of 170 different species of plants, 

 including representations of all those which are 

 either constantly present in the coal measures, 

 or not at all to be found there, ascertained, after 

 an interval of two years : 



1st. That during this period the leaves and 

 bark of most dicotyledonous plants are wholly 

 decomposed, and that of those which do resist 

 decomposition, the greater part are coniferm and 

 cycadex. 



2d. That monocotyledons are more capable of 

 resisting the action of water, particularly palms 

 and scitamincous plants, but that grasses and 

 reeds perish. 



3d. That fungi, mosses, and all the lowest 

 forms of vegetation, disappear. 



4th. That ferns have a great power of resist- 

 ing water, if gathered in a green state, all those 

 submitted to experiment retaining their form 

 distinctly, while their fructification was com- 

 pletely obliterated. 



These results must materially influence all 

 speculations regarding the probable distribution 

 of the extinct flora, and accordingly in enumer- 

 ating those plants which are found chiefly to 

 characterise the successive geological formations, 

 it must be borne in mind that we find those 

 only which have from their nature resisted the 

 destructive agencies in the respective strata, 

 while many others, their cotemporaries, must be 

 presumed to be entirely lost to us. From our 

 present knowledge, it would appear, that in the 



lowermost fossiliferous strata, marine fuci are 

 most common. That in the next foi-mation, 

 ferns, equisetacca;, conifera, and plants inter- 

 mediate between them and the lycopodiaceaj 

 prevail, and that in the succeeding strata, ferns, 

 cycadeiE, and coniferie, with a few liliaceiB, are 

 common ; while in the tertiary beds, species of 

 dicotyledonous plants, bearing a close relation to 

 existing species, make their appearance. 



Of the trees which pervade all the fossiliferous 

 strata, the conifera; and palm tribes are by far 

 the most common. 



The following table exhibits a classified view 

 of the present state of fossil botany.* 



DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. 



NATURAL FAMILY. — NTHPHiACHE. 



Genus I. Npnpliea. One species in the upper frcsli 

 water formation. 



LAURINE^. 



Genus 2. Cinnamomum. One species in the tertiary 

 fresh water formation of Aix. 



LEGUMINOSyE. 



GqumsI. a. Phaseolites. Leaves componnd, unequally 

 pinnate, leaflets entire, disarticulating, witli 

 nearly equal reticulated veins. 



One species in the tertiary fresli water 

 formation of Aix. 



ULSIACE^. 



Uhiius. One species in tertiary formations. 



CAPULIFER^. 



One species in lignite of tertiary 



Genus 3. 

 Genus 4. 

 Genus 5. 



Carpinus. 

 beds. 

 CastanecB. 

 tions. 



One species in tertiary forms- 



BETULINE^. 



Genus 6. Betiila. One species in the lignite of ter- 

 tiary beds. 



SALICINE^. 



Genus 7. Salix, One species in tertiary formation. 



Genus 8. Populus. One or two species in tertiary for- 

 mation. 



MTRICE.E. 



Genus 9. Comptoma. One species in the lignite of 

 tertiary formations, and probably one in the 

 lower fresh water formations. 

 juglandej:. 



Genus 10. Jur/lans. Three species in the tertiary strata, 

 one in upper bed of new red sandstone. 



EUPIIORBIACEa:. 



Genus 11. Stigmaria, ( Variolaria of Sternberg, Mamil- 

 laria of Ad. Brogniart, Ficoidilis, Artis.) 

 Stem originally succulent, marked exter- 

 nally by roundish tubercles, surrounded by 

 a hollow, and arranged in a direction more 

 or less spiral, having internally a distinct 

 woody axis, which communicates with the 

 tubercles by woody processes. Leaves aris- 

 ing from the tubercles succulent, entire, and 

 veinlcss, except in the centre, where there 

 is some trace of a midrib. 



Five or six species in the coal formation, 

 and one in the oolitic formation. 



* Lindley aiid Ilutton, BroDgiUi-u-t, &c* 



