150 References to North American Localities. 



from M. Adolphe Brongniarfs Ancient Vegetation of the Earth. 

 See pp. 315 to 329, Vol. xxxiv, Am. Jour. Science. 



1. Primitive class. Agalysient, Gr. ago, to effect, luo, [luso,) 

 overthrowing or breaking up by internal force. 



Contains no organic remains ; but a few ground pines, (Lycopo- 

 decB,)§Yew on the surface, and are now found in the lowest rocks 

 of the next class — particularly. the argillite. 



2. Transition class. Hemilysient, Gr. hemi, half, luo. break- 

 ing up by internal force. 



Contains, in its lowest strata, some remains of ground pine ; 

 which, in some localities, are converted into coal (anthracite). 

 Some chambered mollnsca and some trilobites are found here, 

 together with Crinoideas and'fungites. Vast quantities of ground 

 pines, rushes and ferns, grew on the surface, which are now con- 

 verted into the coal formation of the next class. 



3. Lower secondary class. Ahyssient, Gr. abussos, deepest 

 abyss of the ocean. The sediment of the unfathomable abyss of 

 oceans ; from which the waters have retired by the elevation of 

 the sediment, or by depressions of former elevations, or into deep 

 caverns. 



Contains vast quantities of coal in some of its lowest strata, 

 made of the ground pine, rushes and ferns, which grew on the 

 surface of the preceding class. 



4. Upper SECONUARY class. Pelagient, Gr. pelagos, the ocean. 

 Sediment of the ocean of ordinary depth, from which the waters 

 have retired. 



Contains some remains of Coniferse and Cycadeas (pine, cedar, 

 yew, sago-plant). Some of the uppermost deposits contain verte- 

 brated animals, such as gigantic Hzards, 



5. Tertiary class. Thalassient, Gr. thalassa, sea. Sedi- 

 ment of seas, or mediterranean seas. 



Contains mammiferons animals ; and broad-leaved trees, as 

 birch, poplar, elm, walnut, maple. 



6. Diluvial class. Clysmient, Gr. kluzo, to deluge or in- 

 undate. Sediment of extensive floods or deluges. 



Contains mammalia resembling those now on the earth ; but 

 not the same species. Also recent vegetables and fresh-water 

 shells ; but no human remains nor works of art. 



7. Alluvial class. Alluvient, Lat. alluo, to wash. Sedi- 

 ment from present washing of rivers, torrents, 6oc. 



