MURCHISON ON THE PERMIAN SYSTEM. 85 



according to the recent tabular view of Geinitz is the total number 

 known in Saxony where the Zechstein is very fully elaborated. 

 Like other formations of synchronous age when at great distances 

 from each other, the Russian succession of Permian strata cannot 

 be brought into a detailed analogy with that of western Europe. 

 Instead of occupying a fixed place like the calcareous beds which 

 represent the Zechstein, they inosculate with great thicknesses of 

 fossiliferous grit, whilst Saurians and fishes with certain Producti 

 and Modiolce, as well as most of the plants, unquestionably occur in 

 conglomerates, tufaceous limestones, and marls, which overlie the 

 beds which contain Zechstein or Magnesian limestone fossils. In 

 Germany, the Protorosaurus belongs to the Kupfer-schiefer which 

 is below the Zechstein, whereas in Russia all the cupriferous and 

 sauroid beds are above that rock. 



In analysing the species common to the Permian system of 

 Russia and the rest of Europe (by stating the number which have 

 lived on from the carboniferous to the Permian, and the diminished 

 proportion of the latter), Russia alone is appealed to, and three only 

 of the Permian species of that country are found to descend into 

 the Palaeozoic rocks. The authors, therefore, infer that these 

 results necessarily prove the existence of a relation between the 

 greater or less duration of species and their propagation or ex- 

 tension to distant parts, thus confirming a law previously an- 

 nounced by one of them. 



Some detailed observations then follow on the species in each 

 class found in Russia, and Mr. Lonsdale is cited as having as- 

 sured them that although the Permian corals are evidently Palaeo- 

 zoic in their generic characters, there is not a single species which 

 is identical with a carboniferous form ; and it is also remarked 

 that of 20 species of Brachiopods found in Russia 8 are peculiar 

 to that country. 



Lastly, deriving their knowledge of the specific character of the 

 plants from the examination of M. Adolphe Brongniart, aided by 

 Mr. Morris, who had previously examined them, it appears certain, 

 that whilst all the forms indicate a continuation of vegetable life 

 of the same nature as that which prevailed during the carbo- 

 niferous era, there are a few species (JVeuropteris tenuifolia, 

 Lepidodendron elongatum, and Calamites Suckovii) which are 

 identical with carboniferous plants, and not one which can be 

 compared with a triassic plant.* 



The results of the inquiries of the botanist, the authors conclude 

 by remarking, are therefore completely in accordance with those 



* The species of plants, ten or twelve in number, which have been found in 

 the Kupfer-schiefer or the sandy beds associated with the Zechstein in Germany, 

 are chiefly marine fucoids, and have been termed Caulerpites. According to 

 M. Adolphe Brongniart, the only terrestrial plants of these German strata are 

 the Teniopteris Echardi ( Germar), and a Neuropteris mentioned by Naumann, 

 which not being determined must be considered doubtful. 



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