Further Data on the Stratigraphic Position of the Lance Formation ("Ceratops Beds")

Abstract

In June, 1909, I published a paper entitled: Stratigraphic Relations and Paleontology of the 'Hell Creek Beds,' 'Ceratops Beds,' and Equivalents, and Their Reference to the Fort Union Formation.2 In that paper, as suggested by the title, the conclusion was reached that the beds considered-namely, the Hell Creek beds, Ceratops beds, somber beds, and Laramie of many writers-are stratigraphically, structurally, and paleontologically inseparable from the Fort Union, and are Eocene in age. It was expected that this somewhat radical innovation would be received with a storm of protest, especially by the vertebrate paleontologists, but so far as known to the author only three papers have since appeared which deal specifically with the position of the Ceratops beds. These comprise two papers by Dr. T. W. Stanton and one by Dr. O. P. Hay. As two field seasons have intervened since the publication of my paper, during which important data were secured confirming the position there assigned the Lance formation,3 it seems opportune to present the case as it now stands. The areas in which these observations were made are in the main in Eastern Wyoming and Eastern Montana and adjacent portions of North and South Dakota.