During the twenty years that have elapsed since this enumeration was made, the number of fossil species has been very greatly increased. The proportion exhibited in this table is likewise greatly altered from the enormous additions made to the Tertiary Flora by Unger, Ettingshausen, and Heer, and from the important contributions by Principal Dawson to the Devonian Flora.

Among the fossil Thalamifloral Dicotyledons, Unger mentions species belonging to the orders—

Among Calycifloral Dicotyledons—

Among Corollifloral Dicotyledons—

Among Monochlamydeous Angiosperms—

Among Monochlamydeous Gymnosperms—

Among Petaloid Monocotyledons—

Among Glumiferous Monocotyledons—

Among Acrogenous Acotyledons—

Among Thallogenous Acotyledons—

Periods of Vegetation among Fossil Plants.

On taking a general survey of the known fossil plants, Brongniart thought that he could trace three periods of vegetation, characterised by the predominance of certain marked forms of plants. In the ancient period there is a predominance of Acrogenous Cryptogamic plants; this is succeeded by a period in which there is a preponderance of Gymnospermous Dicotyledons; while a third period is marked by the predominance of Angiospermous Dicotyledons. There is thus—1. The reign of Acrogens, which includes the plants of the Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian periods. During these periods there seems to be a predominance of Ferns, and a great development of arborescent Lycopodiaceæ, such as Lepidodendron and Sigillaria, and with them are associated some Gynmosperms, allied to Araucaria, and some anomalous plants, as Noeggerathia. 2. The reign of Gymnosperms, comprehending the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Here we meet with numerous Coniferæ and Cycadaceæ, while Ferns are less abundant. 3. The reign of Angiosperms, embracing the Cretaceous and the Tertiary periods. This is characterised by the predominance of Angiospermous Dicotyledons, a class of plants which constitute more than three-fourths of the present vegetable productions of the globe, and which appear to have acquired a predominance from the commencement of the Tertiary formations. These plants appear sparingly even at the beginning of the chalk formation in Europe, but are more abundant in this formation as developed in North America.