68 Geological Prodromus. 



ondary class, are found in it. See note, page 64. I think that tire 

 vegetable origin of this coal is very manifest. If we suppose a vast 

 coal pit, consisting of an immense broken down forest of palm trees, 

 with an undergrowth of reeds, ferns and coarse grass, deeply cover- 

 ed with earth, and highly, but unequally, heated with under flues, so 

 that some parts would be slightly charred, leaving the entire forms of 

 the vegetables charred, other parts heated to fusion, we should have 

 exact prototypes for these coal beds. 



The thin layers of coal in Catskill Mountain, are in the same con- 

 tinued stratum with the Lackawannock coal. 



I think I have facts sufficient to prove, that the Tioga coal is 



EMBRACED IN THE THIRD GRAYWACKE, OR UPPER SECONDARY of 



Bakewell and others. It consists chiefly of charred palms, and reeds 

 also, where the charring process has been imperfect ; but ferns seera 

 to be considerably abundant also. Would it be extravagant to say, 

 that this district was once covered with vegetables of the culmiferous 

 and stiped kinds, before a cauline plant was created ? Also that they 

 were swept from the high grounds into the valley and covered deeply 

 with earth ? That great and long continued heat was applied, by 

 which these vegetables were charred ? 



The thin layers of coal at Ithaca, Seneca Lake and Lake Erie, 

 are in this same stratum. 



NOTICES. 



I have now personally examined and compared the geological 

 strata of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, 

 Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, under the 

 direction and at the expense of Mr. Van Rensselaer. I have receiv- 

 ed complete suites of specimens, from Dr. Z. Pitcher, Mr. R. Peter, 

 and others, exhibiting the entire geology of the circuits of Lakes Su- 

 perior, Michigan, Huron, and of the states of Ohio and Illinois. The 

 territory which I have personally examined and reviewed, mostly 

 several times, is more than double that of all Great Britain. And I 

 have before me specimens illustrative of more American territory, 

 than all Great Britain, Ireland, France and Switzerland. I have free 

 access also to specimens illustrative of the general geology of Europe, 

 and the minute geology of some of the most important localities. 



As soon as time Avill permit, I shall endeavor to discharge my duty 

 to Mr. Van Rensselaer, and to the public, by condensmg, in as small 

 a compass as possible, every thing of importance which has fallen 



