[Quaternary] deposits of [Pleistocene] age (geologic time scale, [Pl. 1]) are found in many parts of Texas and consist of sands, clays, and gravels.
These rocks are distributed along the Gulf Coast in a belt from 50 to 100 miles wide. They occur also as stream terraces in the Edwards Plateau and North-Central Plains regions. In addition, [Quaternary] sands and gravels are widely distributed over the surface of much of Trans-Pecos Texas. There are also [fossiliferous] [Pleistocene] strata in the High Plains region.
Invertebrate fossils are rare in [Pleistocene] rocks, but some fresh-water and terrestrial mollusks occur. [Vertebrate] remains, however, are abundant in many localities, and large numbers of horses, camels, mammoths, and other mammals (Pls. [46]-49) have been collected. [Fossil] bones and teeth (figs. [25], [26], [p. 104]) are commonly found in the gravels and sands of many of the river terraces of the State.
MAIN TYPES OF FOSSILS
The beginning [fossil] collector is usually amazed by the many different plants and animals that have left some trace of their existence. In order to understand these different types of prehistoric life, it is necessary to know something about the organisms that are living today.
This handbook discusses the more important groups of plants and animals which have left some sort of paleontological record, and each major group begins with a discussion of the more simple organisms and continues through the more advanced forms. Because scientific workers do not always agree on exactly the same classification, the [system] adopted in this handbook contains the latest ideas of several workers. It is simple enough to understand, yet complete enough to help one know and classify his fossils. It should be noted that this classification may differ in some respects from that of certain older paleontological publications. Therefore, it has seemed advisable to list other names for some of the groups that are discussed.
In some instances, the brief descriptions and illustrations of each group will enable the collector to make a preliminary identification of his fossils. For more detailed information about each group, the reader should refer to “Books About Fossils” (pp. [108]-110).
This part of the handbook begins with a brief summary of the major groups of the plant kingdom, followed by a discussion of the characteristics and relative paleontological importance of the various invertebrate animals. Emphasis is placed on the invertebrates because this type of [fossil] is most commonly collected by the amateur. Finally, there is a general review of the vertebrates.
PLANT FOSSILS
Plant fossils are usually fragmental and poorly preserved, and this tends to discourage most amateurs from an active interest in paleobotany. However, in spite of these problems, much is known of the [evolution] of plants, and plant fossils provide much information about life of the past. In addition, certain plants are of considerable value as indicators of ancient climatic conditions, and their remains have played a large part in the [formation] of vast coal deposits.