Carboniferous Age

( Geol.) The name given to the strata which rest upon the Devonian measures. commenced, both in America and Europe, with a preparatory marine period, the SUB-CARBONIFEROUS, q. v.; had its consummation in a long æra of extensive continents, covered with forests and marsh-vegetation, and subject at long intervals to inundations of fresh or marine waters, the carboniferous, or COAL PERIOD, q.v., and declined through a succeeding period, the PERMIAN, q. v., in which the marsh-vegetation became le extensive, and the sea again prevailed over portions of the carboniferous continents. The rocks of the C. A. lie at the surface over large areas of N. America, viz.: - In the U. States. 1. Over parts of Rhode Island and Ma achusetts, between Newport and Worcester. 2. Along the Appal a chi an region from New York into Alabama, and spreading W. over half of Ohio, and part of Kentucky and Tenne ee, and a little of Mi i ippi. 3. Over central Michigan. 4. Over much of Illinois, and spreading E. over part of Indiana, S. over part of Kentucky, W. over part of Iowa, Minnesota, Mi ouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and large portions of the Rocky Mountain slopes. 5. In Texas. 6. About the summits of the Rocky Mountains, near several of the pa es; around the Great Salt Basin in Utah; in the Colorado basin, New Mexico, and over some other parts of the Pacific slope of the Rocky Mountains. 7. In N. California. - In the British Provinces. 1. Over much of New Brunswick and part of Nova Scotia. 2. In the Arctic, over Melville and other islands between Grinnell Land and Banks Land. The coal measures cover a large part of most of the regions here pointed out, the rest being occupied by the sub carboniferous and Permian, or by limestones and other barren beds of the carboniferous period. Excepting the areas W. of the Rocky Mountains, the whole pertain to three great regions or basins:-1. The Interior Con tinental region, including the Appal a chi an area on the E. and stretching W. to western Kansas, and perhaps still further, to, or beyond, the summit of the Rocky Mountains; for carboniferous rocks probably underlie the later beds now at the surface. It is divided into two parts by the Lower Silurian uplift about Cincinnati and the region S.W. 2. The Atlantic border region, including the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia region, and that of Rhode Island, also divided into two parts, a northern and a southern. See SECTION II. Carbonization, n. [Fr. carbonisation.] Act or proce of carbonizing. Carbonize, v . a . To convert into carbon. Carbonom'eter, n. [Eng. carbon , and Gr. metron, measure.] ( Chem .) An instrument for ascertaining the presence of an exce of carbonic acid, by its action on lime-water. Carbon Station, in Illinois, a post-office of Peoria co.