Xertiary deposits have, as is Avell known, a rather wide 

 extension in the northern Arctic countries, and have often been 

 examined, but yet the stage has not been reached where we 

 can, with sufficient certainty, determine their exact age in 

 relation to the Tertiary formations of other places. The reason 

 of this uncertainty consists chiefly in the fact, that in the 

 Arctic Tertiary deposits generally fossil plants only have been 

 found which as a rule are less satisfactory than fossil animals 

 for the determination of age. Although in the course of time 

 a very considerable number of well preserved fossil plants have 

 been collected, we see nevertheless, that the views regarding 

 their age vary very much. 0. Heer, who specially occupied 

 himself with fossil plants from the Arctic regions, arrived at the 

 conclusion that the greater part was Miocene, while younger 

 naturaUsts suppose them to be considerably older. This que- 

 stion can scarcely be solved with certainty, until the plant- 

 bearing deposits are found in connection with formations con- 

 taining marine fossils , sufficiently well preserved for correct 

 determination. All Tertiary marine-fossils, found in the above 

 named regions, will therefore be received with great interest, 

 and must be examined as carefully as possible. 



With special regard to the Tertiary deposits of Greenland, 

 it may be remarked that the formations abounding with fossil 

 plants from this period in the northern part of West-Greenland, 

 have been known for a long time ; however no determinable 

 marine fossils have been found in connection with them, and 

 their age is therefore, as above mentioned, somewhat problematical. 



