270 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



most resembling that of Ballypalady, setting those of Greenland 

 on one side, I would select that of Monte Promina, which is 

 undoubtedly Eocene. 



Equally unprofitable would it be at present to dwell upon 

 the absolute insufficiency, or rather total absence, of evidence 

 connecting the basalt floras with the Miocene. Further re- 

 search, if encouraged, will develop these questions, and render 

 it possible to obtain something like definite grounds for forming 

 an opinion. Though disinclined, for the present, to lay any 

 stress on plant evidence, I cannot help pointing out what may, 

 or may not, be a significant fact, that the Mull type oiPlatanus 

 or Platanites^ together with others of the plants, recall so- 

 called Cretaceous rather than Eocene types, resembling, in fact, 

 the Protophylla and Platanus of the Dakota beds. A still 

 living fern is associated with them, it is true, but it is of an 

 archaic genus, only one species of which now lingers, and simi- 

 lar cases are frequent throughout the Eocene, such as Osmunda 

 Javanica^ Chrysodium vulgare^ etc. I should imagine, from 

 its aspect, that the Mull flora would be older than those of 

 Antrim. 



Only one geologist, Thomas Smith, (Trans. Edin. Geol. Soc, 

 vol. I, April, 1867,) has ventured to suppose that the basalts of 

 Antrim, embracing those of the Giants' Causeway, might be 

 Cretaceous. Such writers as Professors Hull, Geikie, and Judd, 

 have based all their inductions regarding the basalts on the 

 assumption that all above, and including the plant beds, are 

 Miocene. A most superficial study would have convinced them 

 of the weakness of the evidence, yet they bring it forward as 

 incontrovertible, without examination, and build theories upon 

 it as to the surprising rate of post-Miocene denudation. A 

 most elaborate paper is based on two fallacies ; one that the 

 basaltic formation is Miocene in age, and another that it was all 

 erupted from craters. The floras may be Miocene, but the 

 evidence is all against it : and there may have been craters in 

 Scotland which erupted basalt, but that the Irish or Faroese 

 basalts were erupted from them is physically impossible. Hull 



