22 
and that they arc not Palaeozoic, without, however, denying even then the 
possibly Palaeozoic ago of the Newcastle beds. 
(34.) 1876. Feistmantel (Dr. 0.) Notes on the Age of some Fossil Floras in India. 
Records Geol. Survey, India, Vol. IX, No. 3, 1870', pp. 63, et seq. 
In this paper I wrote (p. G4) as follows : — “ It is not unnatural that 
certain genera, having a wide range in time, should be common to several 
series. They can, however, be of no important influence in fixing the age, 
which must be determined by the other fossils with which they are associated. 
* * * and, similarly, there is no reason ivliy a certain species of 
the genus Glossopteris, occurring in our Damuda series, the flora of which 
is really Mesozoic, should not also be found as well (and, perhaps, prevail) 
in some of the supposed Palaeozoic coal strata of New South Wales. The 
Damuda group has no real connection with the lower coal beds of New South 
Wales, although Glossopteris occurs in both, and in Australia (but only in 
the lower strata) is associated with marine fossils of Palaeozoic age.” 
In discussing the probable age of the Damuda formation, I wrote 
further (p. 68) : — “ («) In Australia there may be fossil remains of animals 
which determine the age of the series, although a certain species of Glossop- 
leris is found with them, (IS) In India, on the other hand, as no fossil 
animals have been found, the age of the series must be determined by the 
other plants, notwithstanding the occurrence of Glossopteris, Bgt, My con- 
clusions arc the following : — That Glossopteris, Bgt., began to exist in the 
lower coal strata of Australia, where it is said to be associated with fossil 
animals of Carboniferous age, and continued in our Indian coal strata, which, 
however, are characterised by some very well-defined genera, &c.”* 
I also remarked (p. 71) : — “ We should rather say some species of 
Glossopteris are found in the supposed Palaeozoic coal strata of Australia, but 
the genus also occurs in great abundance in the lower Mesozoic coal strata of 
India,” 
About my above remarks the llev. W. B. Clarke, in a letter, dated 
Sydney, 31st December, 1876, expressed himself as follows : — “ I think your 
view of the prior age of Glossopteris in Australia is the best solution I have 
heard of the matter.” 
* When quoting this passage in my German work on the Fossil Flora of Eastern Australia, Cassel, 1879, 
p. 187, I appended already then the following remark : — “ When I wrote the above the Karharbari beds were not 
yet separated from the other higher coal-beds. In the meantime they have been separated, and placed with the 
iowest group, the Talchir beds, and as these beds are best to be compared to the Newcastle beds, and to the 
Bacchus Marsh sandstones, the Indian coal-beds appear consequently higher.” 
