The statement you're describing is a key principle in paleontology, known as the principle of faunal succession. It states that fossil organisms succeed one another in a definite and determinable order, meaning that fossils found in specific rock layers can be used to determine the relative age of those layers.

This principle doesn't refer to specific states, but rather to the stratigraphic record of fossils found across the globe.

Here's how it works:

* Fossil types change over time: Different types of fossils are found in different rock layers, reflecting the evolution of life on Earth.

* Fossil order is consistent: The sequence of fossils found in rock layers is generally consistent from one location to another, even if the specific fossils differ. This helps establish a relative timeline for rock layers.

For example:

* Trilobites are common fossils found in Paleozoic rocks, while dinosaurs are found in Mesozoic rocks. This indicates that trilobites lived before dinosaurs.

* The presence of a specific type of fossil, like a particular species of ammonite, can help scientists determine the approximate age of a rock layer even if the exact time period is unknown.

This principle has been fundamental in understanding the history of life on Earth and is used to:

* Determine the relative age of rocks: Fossil evidence can help pinpoint the time period when a rock layer formed.

* Correlate rock layers: Matching up similar fossil assemblages in different locations allows scientists to connect rock layers across vast distances.

* Reconstruct past environments: Certain types of fossils can indicate the type of environment that existed in the past (e.g., marine, terrestrial, etc.).

So, while there's no direct connection to states, the principle of faunal succession applies to the global geological record and helps us understand the history of life across the planet.