Introduction to the Study of Palæontological Botany

Name: Introduction to the Study of Palæontological Botany
Author: Balfour, John Hutton

Balfour, John Hutton

Paleobotany

The neighbourhood of Edinburgh is rich in Fossils of the
Carboniferous epoch, and much yet remains to be done to illustrate
its Palæontology. Such labourers as Geikie and Peach may be expected
to give great assistance in the furtherance of our knowledge of
Scottish Geology, so as to form a school which shall revive the
reputation enjoyed by Edinburgh in the days of Hutton and Jameson.
If I can be useful in encouraging students to take up the study of
Palæontological Botany, and to prosecute it with vigour, I shall feel
that this introductory treatise has not been issued in vain. As one
of the few surviving relations of Dr. James Hutton, I am glad to be
able to show an interest in a science which may aid in elucidating
the "Theory of the Earth."

In writing this work I have taken for granted that the reader is
acquainted with the Elements of Botany, and knows the general
structure of plants of the present day. I have not, therefore,
hesitated to use the ordinary Botanical terms without explanation. I
am satisfied that no one can study Fossil Botany properly unless he
has studied Modern Botany.

Those readers who may find any difficulty as to technical terms I
would refer to my Botanist's Companion, where a full Glossary is
given.

  27 INVERLEITH ROW,
  _May 1872_.




TABLE OF CONTENTS.


                                                             PAGE

  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS                                           1

  DETERMINATION OF FOSSIL PLANTS                                 3

  MODE OF PRESERVATION OF FOSSIL PLANTS                          8

  EXAMINATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF FOSSIL PLANTS                 12

  FOSSILIFEROUS ROCKS                                           20

  NATURAL ORDERS TO WHICH FOSSIL PLANTS BELONG                  22

  PERIODS OF VEGETATION AMONG FOSSIL PLANTS                     25

  FOSSIL FLORA OF THE PRIMARY OR PALÆZOIC PERIOD                26

  REIGN OF ACROGENS                                             26

  FLORA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS EPOCH                              36

  FLORA OF THE PERMIAN EPOCH                                    71

  FOSSIL FLORA OF THE SECONDARY OR MESOZOIC PERIOD              72

  REIGN OF GYMNOSPERMS                                          72

  FLORA OF THE TRIAS AND LIAS EPOCHS                            77

  FLORA OF THE OOLITIC EPOCH                                    80

  FLORA OF THE WEALDEN EPOCH                                    84

  FOSSIL FLORA OF THE TERTIARY OR CAINOZOIC PERIOD (INCLUDING
  THE CRETACEOUS EPOCH)                                         87

  REIGN OF ANGIOSPERMS                                          87

  FLORA OF THE CHALK                                            87

  FLORA OF THE EOCENE EPOCH                                     90

  FLORA OF THE MIOCENE EPOCH                                    92

  FLORA OF THE PLIOCENE EPOCH                                   98

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Introduction to the Study of Palæontological Botany

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