ra 
362 C. S. Hale on the Geology of South Alabama. 
These eocene strata were all evidently formed z= circumstan- 
ces exempt from the influence of disturbing cause With the 
exception of a few local interruptions of level, ivietbtieatble to the 
inequalities of the older beds, they appear to retain their parallel- 
ism in all their geographical extent. It is very rare that in re- 
mote situations, a diversity in the sea-bottom, or some other geo- 
logical change, does not produce a marked diversity i in the char- 
acter of the deposits; but this series furnishes a remarkable ex- 
ception in this respect. A ee uniformity in the lithological 
and zoological characters of the same beds, prevails whereve 
they have ‘been observed. This gnifonnity evinces not only the 
absence of disturbing causes, but a very unusual coincidence of 
geological conditions. ‘The denudation of the white limestone 
s, being considered as a subsequent event, is of course not in- 
cluded in this category. 
Another circumstance, worthy of consideration, is the absence 
of land and fluviatile testacea, and the exclusive limitation of the 
fossils of these beds to a marine fauna, with the exception of the 
few remains of terrestrial animals already noticed. Even the 
estuary group of Cerithia so numerous in the i equiva- 
lents, is very sparingly represented in these de 
Restricted as these beds are to a marine fa, * is rather sur- 
prising that they contain a fhe considerable abundance of vege- 
table remains. Nothin recise however has been ascer- 
tained respecting the dieuaithot of the land from whence these re- 
mains were derived. It is evident however that this part of the 
globe, in the period under consideration, was very different from 
what it is at present. 
From the general character of the organic remains, as well as 
from various other Stalere aoe it is not likely that these de- 
posits were formed in very deep water. We may rather con- 
clude, from the indications exhibited, that they were at one time. 
sedimentary shoals, or a mud-bank, forming a suitable habitation 
changed as to become tear ste into a widely extended ocean, 
th a corresponding change of fauna, suited to its varying 
zones of depth, either such as were e adapted to inhabit a shal- 
jl ie sea, or the still greater depths of a more expand- 
ed ocea 
Taking into view the regular and quiet operation of the agen- 
cies which mark the progress of events in the series, it is rather 
surprising, at first, to notice the contrast exhibited between this 
and the preceding cretaceous group; the peculiarity of its or- 
ganic remains, gives to the tertiary fauna more the appearance 0 
a new creation than a gradual development of the same general 
system. But as the upper portion of the cretaceous equivalents 
