In the chalk, marine plants and naiades
predominate. The forests of Cycadeae of the Jura formations had, therefore,
long disappeared, and even in the more ancient tertiary formations they are
quite subordinate to the Coniferae and palms.*
[footnote] *Goppert describes three other Cycadeae (species of Cycadites
and Pterophyllum), found in the brown carboniferous schistose clay of
Alt-sattel and Commotau, in Bohemia. They very probably belong to the
Eocene Period. Goppert, 'Fossile Cycadeen', s. 61.
The lignites, or beds of brown coal* which are present in all divisions of
the tertiary period, present, among the most ancient cryptogamic land
plants, some few palms, many Coniferae having distinct annual rings, and
foliaceous shrubs of a more or less tropical character.
[footnote] *['Medals of Creation', vol. i., ch. v., etc. 'Wonders of
Geology', vol. i., p. 278, 392.] -- Tr.
In the middle tertiary period we again find palms and Cycadeae fully
established, and finally a great similarity with our existing flora,
manifested in the sudden and abundant occurrence of our pines and firs,
Cupuliferae, maples, and poplars. The dicotyledonous stems found in lignite
are occasionally distinguished by colossal size and great age.
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