1892.] Geology and Paleontology. 24:1 



Vertebrate Fossils at Samos.— At a recent meeting of the 



Academy of Sciences of Paris, M. Forsyth Major <:ave a verv nearlv 

 complete list of the fossil vertebrates found at Samos. Of the forty- 

 represented at 1'ikermi, thirteen at Maragha, seven at Haltavar anil 

 seven at Mount Leheron, so that the inference is that these different 

 formations are probably of the same geologic age. 



In fact, the author has remarked, in a new communication to the 

 Academy, that this fauna can now he trace] coiitinuou.dy from Spain 

 to eastern Persia, thus proving continental cunditnuis ; so true it is 

 that a marine equivalent is not found in these countries. The uniform- 

 ityofthe fauna suggests a uniform environment, and especially of 

 climate throughout this great tract of country. Abo. tlie va.-t numher 

 of horses and ruminants reveals the existence of plains or plateaus of 

 wide extent. AN these conditions permitted the di>trihution of the 



mingling of individuals from localities far distant from each other 

 would be another factor preventing a tendency to vary. (Revue 

 Scientific, 28 Nov., 1891.) 



Geologic Correlation by Means of Fossil Plants.— In ■ 

 paper read before the American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science at Washington, Aug. 21, 1891, Mr. Lester F. Ward showed what 

 an important factor is Paleobotany in the determination of the age of 

 deposits widely separated, as well as more nearly related formations. 

 For this determination, however, it is necessary to have a body of facts 

 i.e. a fair series of good specimens. He instanced, as examples, the 

 beds of Chardonet, referred by Elie de Beaumont to tin 

 which are now known to be Carboniferous. Or, coming nearer home,, 

 the clays of Gay Head, Mass., which geologists had described to be 

 of tertiary age, until the discovery by Mr. White of a bed of fossil 

 plants which proved to be types of the Amboy clays of New Jersey,, 

 and therefore represent the Cretaceous. 



In order to make use of the principles of Paleobotany in geologic 

 correlation, Mr. Ward proposed the preparation of tables of distribu- 

 tion, (1) American, (2) Foreign which should contain (a) identical 

 and (b) related species. The fact to be borne in mind is that correla- 

 tion established by such data is homotactic and not necessarily 

 chronologic. (Am. Geol. Jan. 1892). 

 17 



