274 
GEOLOGY OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. 
It has before been mentioned that some fragments of land plants have been noticed in the 
lower part of this group, and even as low as the Genesee slate. In the eastern part of the 
State, as will be seen from the Report of the Third District, some similar fragments have 
been found as low as the Hamilton group, but these have not been observed in Western New- 
York. As we approach toward the termination of the Chemung group, we find some forms 
very analogous to those of the Coal formation, giving evidence of the approach to that period. 
These may have drifted from dry land farther east, and in many instances have undoubtedly 
done so ; in others, from the perfect preservation of the fragments, it seems hardly possible 
that they could have drifted far, except in a quiet sea. 
Most of the specimens obtained have been fragments, however; and of the more solid 
portions of the trunk, a few fragments of ferns have been found, and a single specimen in a 
tolerably perfect condition, of which the opposite page exhibits an illustration. 
It appears referable to the genus Sphenopteris, but differs from any figure in Brongniart’s 
Vegetaux Fossiles, which is the only work of reference within my reach. The name laxus 
is suggested from the want of rigidity in the branches, which characterizes most of the species. 
This unique specimen was obtained by Mr. E. Sexton, of Pine valley, Chemung county, 
from his quarry in the vicinity; and through his liberality, it has been placed in the State 
Collection. 
The quarry referred to presents a peculiarity in the arrangement of the strata, not else¬ 
where noticed ; the lower beds have a uniform northerly dip, while a thin bed of similar 
materials resting upon these, dips in an opposite direction, as represented in the section below. 
The position of this quarry is just below the more highly fossiliferous rocks of the Chemung 
group, which occur in the same hill. 
126 . 
Section of Sexton’s quarry , Pine valley , Chemung county. 
Fragments of fossil vegetables referable to the genus Sigillaria, occur somewhat rarely 
in the higher rocks of the group. A fine specimen of this character was obtained by Mr. 
Horsford in the vicinity of Black creek ; and another, of which the illustration is also on the 
opposite page (fig. 2), was found in Wisner’s quarry near Elmira. 
Other specimens referable to the genus C'alamites have been observed in the rocks of this 
group, and some in which no definable structure exists.. 
