102 



exhauBtively. Whether this be the case or not, it is certainly true that since the earlier 

 collections studied by Sir William Dawson there have been but few additions recorded by 

 observers of later date. 



Upon inspecting the tables of str^igraphical distribution from page 112 et seq it is to be 

 observed that a great number of species have been derived from a number of different locali- 

 ities, often widely separated, and this serves to indicate that substantially the same flora 

 extended throughout the entire area in each of the two deposits, Eocene and Miocene. 



According to previously obtained knowledge, the entire Tertiary flora may be divided 

 into two groups, the one distinctively Eocene, the other presumbly Miocene or Oligocene, 

 and it will be the purpose of the present studies to define these more exactly and ascertain the 

 extent of their commingling, as well as to correlate new localities with those previously 

 studied. 



With respect to the general regional distribution of these two floras, it was pointed out 

 by Sir William Dawson some years since, that " both in British Columbia and east of the 

 Eocky mountains, the Cretaceous proper is overlaid by newer beds. West of the Rocky 

 mountains these assume the form of old lake beds filled with fresh water deposits holding 

 remains of insects and plants. East of the mountains, on the other hand, the undoubted 

 Cretaceous beds of the Fort Pierre and Fox Hills groups are covered by a widely extended 

 series of clays and sandstones, holding fossil plants and lignite, with brackish water and fresh 

 water shells. This is known as the Laramie, Lignite or Fort Union group. To this belong 

 the plants from Porcupine creek and the Souris river^^, the plants described by Heer 

 from the Mackenzie river, and those of the Fort Union beds of the Upper Missouri described 

 by Newberry and others. They constitute the Lower Tertiary or Lignitic Tertiary of 

 Lesquereux." 



The evidence derived from more recent studies shows that the general conclusions thus 

 reached are, in the main, correct, but it will also be seen that lignite areas lie within portions 

 of British Columbia where they were not supposed to exist or where they were not clearly 

 defined. 



THE EOCEKE. 



It is unnecessary at this time to review in detail all the evidence which has been brought 

 to bear from time to time to show that the Tertiary beds east of the Rocky mountains are, 

 so far as now known, of Eocene age, since with the possible exception of the Red Deer river, 

 but partially explored by the earlier collectors, the Eocene character of the formation has been 

 well established for several years. But even in the case of the Red Deer river itself, the 

 evidence derived from collections made by Weston in 1889, and fully reported upon in 

 19022, has shown that this locality must also be included in the Lignite Tertiary, both because 

 of its flora and its stratigraphical relations. 



It therefore remains only to direct attention to and emphasize certain facts about wMch 

 uncertainty appears to exist in some quarters. 



1 Trans. R.S.C., I, 1882-83, iv, 29-34. 



2 Trans. R.S.C., N. S., VII, 1902, iv, 46. 



