6 REMARKS ON THE VEGETATION OF THE 
by a sight of some magnificent specimens of plants belonging to M. Brone- 
NIART’s first period of vegetable creation. The two varieties which pre- 
sented themselves, appeared to belong to his third class, the vascular crypto- 
gamic. The first was referrible to the Stigmarie (Lycopodiacee) ; the second 
to the Sigillariz (Filices). 'The latter were fine specimens, of great cir- 
cumference. 'T'wo of them, which were situated in the space cleared out to 
get at the lead-ore, stand erect, and have their roots firmly imbedded in a thin 
stratum of bituminous shale, much carbonized. I should think the height 
of one of these prodigious fern stumps may be about five feet, while its dia- 
meter probably exceeds two. ‘The other, which has been kindly presented 
to me, may be seen in my museum, at No. 14, Great King Street. 
It has, I understand, been the opinion of some gentlemen who have vi- 
sited these ancient relies, that they were washed into, and deposited in, their 
present situation by some aqueous revolution. To this conclusion I must 
object, for two reasons; 1st, Because the roots are firmly imbedded in the 
shale, as if they had remained undisturbed in their original earthy envelope ; 
and, 2dly, Because there may be discovered in each cheek of the vein, other 
trunks of these members of the ancient flora, in the solid rock, the position 
and appearance of which are more consistent with the supposition of their 
having grown on the spot where they are at present found. The confused 
heaping, breaking, and general indications of violence, which characterise 
diluvial action, are not seen here. 
In proceeding towards the east, I received much valuable information 
from my intelligent friends, Mr BupDLE, an eminent coal-viewer upon the 
rivers Tyne and Wear, and Mr Hurton of Newcastle, whose ardour in 
this department of science is so well known. 
In the great Newcastle coal-field, the fossil plants are generally in a hori- 
zontal position, or parallel to the strata, in the greatest possible confusion, 
much broken, and with their parts far separated. Indeed, the confusion is the 
most serious difficulty which the observer has to contend with. It is, how- 
ever, difficult to trace the operation of a current of water, that has swept off 
the weaker vegetables, and deposited them where we now find them so beau- 
tifully preserved. Notwithstanding this, there are to be found, in consider- 
