The next volume of the rock series refers to an era distinguished by an event of no less importance than the abundant appearance of land animals. The New Red Sandstone System is subdivided into groups, some of which are wanting in some places. The lowest beds are those alluded to in the preceding chapter as presenting indications of disturbance. Next occur the strata of the Magnesian Limestone, denoting from their composition a recurrence of circumstances favourable to animal life. Beds usually called the Upper New Red Sandstone, followed in Germany by the Muschelkalk, or Shell Limestone, are next in the series; they are crowned by a group of Variegated Marls. This section of rocks forms, in whole, a sort of transitionary series, from the Carboniferous to the Oolitic; and, though peculiar in mineral constitution, might, as far as fossils are concerned, be very properly divided between the preceding and succeeding formations.

The plants of this era are few and unobtrusive. Equiseta, calamites, ferns, Voltzia, and a few of the other families, found so abundantly in the carboniferous series, here present themselves, but in diminished size and quantity.

The types of animal being which existed before—zoophytes, conchifers, mollusks, Crustacea, and fishes—continue to appear in the New Red Sandstone Rocks, being most numerous in the limestone beds, but particularly in the German sub-group of the Muschelkalk. All of these great classes are aquatic.