cretaceous

[Lat. cretaceus chalk-like.] I. Ord. Lang.: In any way pertaining to chalk. "Nor from the sable ground expect succe , Nor from cretaceous, stubborn and jejune." II. Technically : Philips . 1. Min., †Geol., .: Consisting in larger or smaller amount of chalk. 2. Bot . ( Of colors ): Like chalk, chalky; very dull white with a dash of gray. IMG:content-1317.png:[blocks in formation] Geol.: The period from first to last during which the Cretaceous formation was in proce of deposition. The gap between the Cretaceous and the Eocene rocks, as yet very partially filled up, indicates a great lapse of geological time the history of which is still unknown. One or two arches have been cast from the side of the Secondary, and one or two from that of the Tertiary, acro fragments of the chasm, but the ma of it still remains unbridged. Sir Charles Lyell thinks that the gap may be as great as all the time which has elapsed from the Eocene till now. It is not correct to say that we are living in the Cretaceous period. [CHALK.] Nor is it true, as many unacquainted with geology believe, that recent discoveries have proved the Cretaceous period le remote than it was formerly held to be. The discovery that certain cretaceous species and genera once deemed extinct still exist, does not bring cretaceous times one day nearer; it only shows that vastly remote as they are, they have not produced as great a revolution as they were held to have done in the character of the animal life. †crē-tā-çe-oŭs-lý, adv . [Eng. cretaceous; -ly.] In a manner like chalk; as chalk. Cre-tan, *Cre-ti-an, a . & s . [Eng. Cret(e); -an.] Crete. A. As adj .: Of or pertaining to the island of B. As subst.: A native or inhabitant of Crete. "The Cretians are alway liars, " -Titus i. 12. *cre-tā'-těd, a. [Lat. cretatus.] Rubbed or made white with chalk. (1) Cretaceous system or formation: Geol.: The system or formation of which at least in England and some other countries, chalk (Latin creta) is the characteristic rock. Pure chalk of nearly uniform aspect and composition, stretches from N. W. to S. E., from the north of Ireland to the Crimea, a distance of about 1.311 English miles; the breadth of this great band, from the south of Candia. Crête, s. A large island in the Mediterranean Sea, now belonging to Turkey; it is also called crimeful IMG:content-1318.png:[blocks in formation]