: 
Mari of New Jersey. 93 
# % * * * 
* Among the formations recently admitted into the cretaceous 
group, one of the most remarkable occurs in America, and at so 
great a distance, that we might suppose it would be deficient in those 
specific characters, by which it could be referred-to any one of the 
geological divisions: we allude to a formation described by Dr. Mor- 
ton as occurring in New Jersey and Maryland.* . Dr. M. has given 
an exact description of these beds, with figures of the fossils they 
contain. These descriptions and illustrations present a complete ap- 
plication of the principles we have endeavored to establish. The 
animals are those of the cretaceous deposits, viz. the genera baculites, 
belemnites, scaphites, ammonites, terebratula, gryphea, plagiostoma, 
ananchytes, mosasaurus, plesiosaurus, with many others belonging 
to the testacea and to the family of crocodiles. All these genera are 
characteristic of the chalk, although the species are not precisely the 
same; the differences, sometimes very slight, show in the ancient 
world, what we notice in the existing state of things in places very 
remote from each other. ‘Thus, North America possesses many of 
the same genera of animals as are found in Europe, and yet very few 
adentical species. ‘The American formations moreover embrace, like 
the chalk of the south of France, many littoral shells, [or shore-shells, 
to distinguish them from Pelagic, or such as inhabit deep water, ] 
among which are natice, scalarie, cypree, patelle, &c. 
“These characters convinced Dr. Morton, and they should satisfy 
all geologists, that the deposits of New Jersey and Maryland must 
be referred to the cretaceous series: but they moreover present many 
mineralogical characters of the chalk, such as-glauconie, ferruginous 
sand, and silex. Finally, as if to render the inference still more 
precise, we find on examining its relative position, that this formation 
is in many places overlaid by true tertiary deposits, composed of clay, 
of sand, and of calcaire grossier, and containing fossil shells so simi- 
lar to those of our Paris formations, that a very cautious examination 
is requisite to distinguish them.” 
* * % * * 
Such are the sentiments of M. Brongniart.—A letter just receiv- 
ed from Mr. Mantell, enables me to record the opinion of a gentle- 
man, whose many contributions to this department of geological sci- 
ence, place him among the most distinguished of its cultivators. I 
* It is now recognised in nearly all the States from New Jersey to Alabama.— 
Vide Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc. Vol. VI, and Am. Jour. of Science, loco citato.—S.G. M. 
