Amongst the more remarkable fossils of this series
are the teeth and bones of Cetaceans of the genus _Zeuglodon_.
Strata of Upper Eocene age occur in North America at Vicksburg,
Mississippi, and are known as the _Vicksburg series_. They consist
of lignites, clays, marls, and limestones. Freshwater deposits
of Eocene age are also largely developed in parts of the Rocky
Mountain region. The most remarkable fossils of these beds are
Mammals, of which a large number of species have been already
determined.
LIFE OF THE EOCENE PERIOD.
The fossils of the Eocene deposits are so numerous that nothing
more can be attempted here than to give a brief and general sketch
of the life of the period, special attention being directed to some
of the more prominent and interesting types, amongst which--as
throughout the Tertiary series--the Mammals hold the first place.
It is not uncommon, indeed, to speak of the Tertiary period as a
whole under the name of the "Age of Mammals," a title at least
as well deserved as that of "Age of Reptiles" applied to the
Mesozoic, or "Age of Molluscs" applied to the Palaeozoic epoch.
As regards the _plants_ of the Eocene, the chief point to be
noticed is, that the conditions which had already set in with
the commencement of the Upper Cretaceous, are here continued,
and still further enforced.
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