1896.] Geology and Paleontology. 305 



" A comparison with the flora of the Upper Cretaceous Nanainio 

 series shows that the Burrard Inlet species are distinct and of more 

 modern aspect. On the other hand, they are also distinct from those of 

 older Miocene deposits of the Similkamen district and other parts of the 

 interior of British Columbia. Between these they occupy an inter- 

 mediate position ; in this resect corresponding with the Laramie of the 

 interior plains east of the Rocky Mountains. They also resemble 

 this formation in the general facies of the flora, which is not dissimilar 

 from that of the Upper Laramie or Fort Union group." 



" We may thus refer these plants to the Paleocene or Eocene, and 

 regard them as corresponding with those of the Atanekerdluk beds in 

 Greenland, the lignitic series of the McKenzie River, and the beds 

 holding similar plants in Alaska." 



"This flora thus serves to fill the gap in our western series of fossil 

 plants, namely, that between the Cretaceous and the Lower Miocene." 

 (Trans. Roy. Soc. Can. (2), Vol. I, 1895-'96.) 



The Geological Structure of Florida is according to Prof. E. 

 T. Cox, remarkable for its simplicity. The underlying rock is a soft 

 limestone of Upper Eocene age ; resting on this are beds of phosphate 

 of lime; and covering the phosphate and limestone is a bed of sand 

 that varies from a few inches to 20 feet and more in depth. 



The Eocene limestone is filled with fossil marine shells. It shows no 

 evidence of disturbance and is without a trace of stratification. It has 

 an amorphous structure and is of unknown thickness. The phosphate 

 of lime occurs in detached masses scattered over an area about 20 miles 

 wide, and exending in a belt, follows in general way the trend of the 

 Gulf coast from the northern limits of the state and beyond, to the 

 western edge of the Everglades on the south. The author believes the 

 phosphate to be the result of the mineralization of guano. 



The covering of sand is found all over the Peninsula. It has been 

 blown by the winds from the gulf and ocean beaches. Mixed with the 

 sand is clay in the form of fine dust. In several localities the associated 

 clay has been separated from the sand by running water and deposited 

 as kaolin. This kaolin has been tested and found to be of superior 

 quality for the manufacture of the finest porcelain. 



Florida is not a level plain. A ridge from 30 to 50 miles wide ex- 

 tends from the northern part of the state to the Everglades, having an 

 elevation of more than 230 feet in some places. From this ridge the 

 land slopes to the Atlantic on the east and the Gulf on the west. 



The elevation of the Peninsula was due to that continental force, ex- 

 tended over a vast period of time, which brought the tops of the Rocky 



