54 DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES. 



CINNAMOMUM, Burm. 

 C i una mo mum Scheuchzeri? Heer. 

 "U. S. Geol. Rep.," vi, p. 83, pi. xxx, figs. 2, 3. 



Professor Heer considers the reference of these leaves to C. Scheuchzeri 

 as uncertain; for though the form of the leaves is much the same, the 

 middle nerve is too thick for that species, especially toward the point. 

 Saporta is also of opinion that the presence of C. Scheuchzeri in the Cre- 

 taceous is very improbable, as in Europe this species is essentially in the 

 upper Miocene. In his paper ("Descriptions of the fossil plants collected 

 by Mr. George Gibbs"), Professor Newberry doubtfully refers to Cinnamo- 

 mum Heerii, Lesqx., some leaves whose affinity of nervation is in his opinion 

 with C. Scheuchzeri or C. lanceolatum. Following Professor Heer's opinion, 

 I had changed the original name of the "Rep.," I. c, to that less definite 

 of Daphnogene cretacea (Hayden's "Ann. Rep.," 1874, p. 343); but if 

 specific identification is not ascertainable from the fragmentary specimens 

 obtained thus far, the close relation is at least indicated by the old name, 

 which should, therefore, be preserved. Another reason against the change 

 of name is the intimate relation, or perhaps identity, of the Cretaceous 

 C. Heerii, with a Tertiary species of the genus. 



Cinnamomum Heerii, Lesqx. 

 "U. S Geol. Rep.," vi, p. 84, pi. xxviii, fig. 11. 



Leaves thick, coriaceous, very entire, ovate, taper-pointed, rounded at the base to 

 a short petiole ; lateral nerves emerging a little above the base, ascending higher than 

 the middle of the leaves, branching outside. 



There is scarcely any modification to be made to the description of 

 the "Rep.," I. c, which I am able now to complete from a recently pro- 

 cured specimen of an entirely preserved leaf. This leaf, 9 centimeters long 

 without the petiole (1 centimeter long), is broadest above the base, rounded 

 to the petiole, joining it in an abruptly and short declining curve, and 

 tapering above to a somewhat acute or merely blunt point. The medial 

 nerve is broad and deep, enlarged to the base from the point of union of 

 the lateral primary nerves 7 millimeters above the top of the petiole, grad- 

 ually narrowed upward but distinct or persistent to the apex. The lateral 

 nerves though thick are not as strong as the midrib, ascend in slightly 

 curving inward up to nearly the second pair of secondary veins, where 



