Abstract
A re-examination of the Carboniferous section of Joggins, Nova Scotia, does not support the prevailing theory that the petrified trees and coal deposits are in situ. Ten evidences that support the allochthonous emplacement of the trees and rapid sedimentation include the absence of soil zone, unusual plant fossils within the hollow stumps, abundant presence of the marine tubeworm, Spirorbis, and polystrate trees. Seven observations that favor a similar interpretation for the Stigmaria "roots" associated with coal include the negative geotropism of the appendages, isolated sections of Stigmaria with radiating "rootlets," unusual orientations of Stigmaria and appendages, and remarkable similarity of Stigmaria to the creeping forms of Lycopodium. A tentative model of allochthonous organic sedimentation is proposed.