CHAPTER VI. 
COAL FORMATIONS. 
Vegetation of the Coal bearing Strata. Enumeration of Families 
of Plants found Fossil. Remarks on the Scanty Number of 
Genera. Difference of Aspect and Character from the flora 
now around us. Facts and conclusions as to mode of De¬ 
posit. Roots of Trees and Upright Stems. Various Instances. 
Coal of other formations. 
“ Let everlasting thanks be thine, 
For such a bright display; 
As makes a world of darkness shine, 
With beams of heavenly day.”— Cou'per. 
Those persons who find entertainment in 
recalling the early stages of their mental 
progress, will remember the difficulty with 
which they embraced the idea that limestone 
is made up of sea shells, and coal of petrified 
vegetables. They may find an apology for 
their prejudices in the history of geolog), 
