ORGANIC RELICS. 



51 



4. Fourth Series. 



In the carboniferous formation of this series, we find bitum- Monoco- 



tyledorious 



inouscoal, containing the same land plants, of the monocotyle- land plants, 

 donous culmiferous kinds ; but no dicotyledonous or cauline 

 plants. Hence we infer, that although the plants of the cul- 

 miferous kinds increase in proportion, none of a more compli- 

 cated family were yet created. But immediately over the car- ^ai" "nd"'" 

 boniferous slate, we find oviparous vertebral animals. 1 have oviparous 



' I vertebral 



before me the relics of a crotalus, found by Dr. Rose of Mon- animals, 

 trose, Penn. Hence we infer, that oviparous vertebral animals 

 were created soon after the bituminous coal deposites were 

 made. Over the last stratum, we find marine relics again. 

 Hence we infer, that the oceanic waters returned a third time, 

 and continued for a long time on the earth. 



5. Fifth Series. 



All the strata of this series are still soft, or semi-indurated. Dicotyle- 



, c • • • (- \ • r donous land 



In this carboniierous lormation, consistmg or plastic (potter- plants, 

 baker's) clay, and marly clay, we find coal, which consists 

 merely in charred dicotyledonous cauline plants. That these 

 strata are very ancient, is manifest from their containing im- 

 mense quantities of well stratified iron-stone, bog-ore, and ren- 

 iform pyrites. 



In the same peoloPical level, we find beds of a kind of marl, Man"e ani- 



, , . ma!s and vi- 



containing viviparous vertebral animals. But when such beds viparoua 

 are wanting, as near Albany, in most of Vermont, &c., no such ^ ^* 

 relics are found. 



It may be proper to add, that animal relics found in diluvion, Animals 



, . more recent 



though of aiiti-diluvial species of course, are of a more recent it) diluvion 

 character than those found in the tertiary formation. Most, Jja^ry.'" 

 perhaps all, of the relics found in the tertiary, are extinct spe- 

 cies. Whereas those of the diluvion are frequently either of 

 species now living, or very nearly related to those which are. 



