BY R. M. JOHNSTON, F.L.S. l79 



If we carefully examine the preceding lists of fossils, 

 and compare them with corresponding tables belonging to 

 the Mesozoic period, we can easily discern that the dif- 

 ferences presented in plant and animal life are very 

 remarkable. The modern aspect of the life of the Ter- 

 tiary period is at once apparent. 



Flora. 



As regards the Plants, we find this feature well exem- 

 exemplified : — The characteristic genera of ferns of the 

 Mesozoic period in Austraha — viz., Thinnfeldia, Alethop' 

 teris, Pecopteris, Neuropteris, Syhenopteris, Tceniopteris, 

 Cyclopteris — have altogether disappeared, and so also have 

 the Cycads, Horestails, and Conifers, represented by the 

 genera Pterophyllum, Podozamites, Zamites, Phyllothectty 

 Baiern, Ginghophyllum, Salishuria, and Zeugophyllites. 



In their stead the vegetation of the Tertiary period in 

 Austraha is represented by sparing remains of ferns be- 

 longing to existing genei-a — viz., Pteris Lomaria and 

 Trichomanes — and a wonderfully luxuriant vegetation, 

 mainly Angiosjjerms, showing, as a whole, apparently a 

 closer relation to the existing vegetation of Europe than to 

 the existing plant hfe of Austraha. A close examination 

 of the genera of plants occurring so abundantly in our 

 Tertiary leaf-beds leads to many interesting speculations. 

 In the earlier formations in Tasmania and New South 

 "Wales, representatives of the existing Australian vegeta- 

 tion, such as Eucalyptus, Pomaderris, Cassia, Lomatia, 

 Banksia, &c. are only to be found sparingly; whilst the 

 remains of the following associated genera, still existing in 

 Europe, are found in rich profusion — viz., Acer, Laurus, 

 Salix, Quercus, Platanus, Bctula, Alnus, Myrica, Ubnus, 

 and Fagus. 



This mixture in our Tertiary formations of the elements 

 of the existing floras of Europe and Australia is of the 

 greatest interest, and has recently been ably investigated by 

 Professor von Ettingshausen. In one of his latest com- 

 munications^ he summarises the results of his painstaking 

 investigations of the Australian Tertiary Flora as follows : — 

 " When we take into consideration only those fossil species 

 which are represented by fruits, seeds, and characteristic 



»Geol. Mag., Aug., 1887, pp. ^59-362. 



