The Medals of Creation, Volumes 1 and 2 / First Lessons in Geology and the Study of Organic Remains

by Gideon Algernon Mantell

[CHAPTER V.]

ON PEAT-WOOD, LIGNITE, AND COAL.

Lign. 3. Nodule of Ironstone inclosing a Fern-leaf.
Coalbrook Dale.

Fig.	1.—	The nodule in its natural state.
	2, 3.—	The same, split open longitudinally. The leaf remains attached to fig. 2, and the impression of its upper surface is seen on fig. 3.
	4.—	Outline of the form of the leaf, which is a species of Pecopteris.

PEAT-WOOD, LIGNITE, AND COAL.

Before entering upon the examination of the specific and generic characters of fossil plants, and the natural relations of the extinct forms with those of the existing Floras, it will be requisite to notice those vast beds of vegetable matter, in various states of carbonization, which occur in the palæozoic, secondary, and tertiary formations.