184 Canadian Record of Science. 
(From the Annals of the New York Academy of Science, Vol. IV., 
No. 4, 1888. 
On AN ARCH#AN PLANT FROM THH Waite’ CRysTALLINE LIMESTOND 
oF Susspx County, N.J. By N. L. Brirton. 
The abundance of graphite in certain Archean limestones, and 
notably in those referred to the Laurentian systems, has often been 
cited as an indication of the existence of plant life at that remote 
period, and indeed, has seemed to the writer and others, attributable 
to no other source, although this view has not found ready accept- 
ance in the minds of many geologists. The mineral generally 
occurs in these limestones in the form of scattered separated flakes 
or small masses, often somewhat crystalline in outline, thus afford- 
ing neither information regarding the nature of the plant from 
which it has been derived, nor certainty that it is in reality of 
vegetable origin. Through a fortunate discovery made last Septem- 
ber by Mr. J. O. Northrop and myself, I am able to submit 
evidence that in one belt of Archeean limestone in the Highlands 
of New Jersey, the graphite has been derived from a plant, and 
proof that vegetable life existed in that epoch. 
The plant-remains appear as black bands on the rock, consisting 
of very thin films of graphite; in some the thickness reaches 
about 0.5 mm., but it is generally less. The average width of the 
bands is about 8 mm., and the greatest continuous length observed 
about 6 cm., though it is apparent that when entire they are much 
longer. In many parts of the rock these are matted together to 
form broad black patches, which are in reality thin carbon strata. 
The bands and films lie parallel with the bedding of the limestone. 
No cellular structure has thus far been detected. 
As this is undoubtedly the most ancient plant yet discovered, 
I should suggest for it the generic name Archxophyton, aud to 
acknowledge, in an imperfect manner, my obligation to one to 
whom I am indebted for encouragement and counsel in study and 
investigation, and at the same time, to associate with this interest- 
ing plant the name of one foremost in American Paleobotany, I 
would denominate the plant Archxophyton Newberryanum. 
While the imperfect nature of the fossil forbids any definite 
statement as to its botanical affinity, we may, perhaps, assume its 
relation tc the algae. 
