Before the idea of the atom was fully developed a scientist thought that the electrons were stuck on the atom what analogy could have used to describe the situation

Paleontologists have found plant fossils deep within the layers of the north polar region. these leaf fossils have been labeled as to the rock layers they were found in, with the lower numbers being layers close to the earth's surface and higher numbers representing deeper layers. according to the numbers of these four leaf fossils, what might you infer?