148 CONTRIBUTIONS TO PAL^ONTOLOGY 



Family CORNACEiE 



Genus CORNOPHYLLUM Newberry 



Cornophyllum wardii Dorf 



Cornophyllum wardii Dorf, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 508, pt. I, 71, pl. 16, fig. 3, 1938; Bull. Geol. Soc. 



Amer., vol. 51, 222, 1940. 

 Cormis studeri Heer ?. Lesquereux, Rept. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr., vol. 7, 244, pl. 42, figs. 4, 5, 1878. Ward, 



U. S. Geol. Surv, 6th Ann. Rept., 553, pl. 48, fig. 1, 1885; U. S. Geol. Surv. BuU. 37, 55, pl. 26, fig. 1, 



1887. Knowlton, U. S. Geol. Surv. Bull. 163, 68, pl. 15, fig. 3, 1900; U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 101, 



342, pl. 109, fig. 2, 1917. 

 Rhammis cleburni Lesquereux (in part). Knowlton, U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 155, 104, only pl. 40, fig. 



6, 1930. 



There are about a dozen nearly complete specimens of this well-defined species and an equal 

 number of identifiable fragments. The majority of these are from Locality P3651, where this 

 type of leaf is one of the two dominants. The best specimens are unfortunately curled and 

 twisted, making them difficult or impossible to photograph for reproduction. 



In addition to its occurrence in the type Lance formation, this species is now reliably known 

 from the Ericson-Almond (Mesaverde), Medicine Bow, Raton, and Denver formations. 



As was pointed out in my original discussion of this species, its modern affinities are somewhat 

 in doubt, though the resemblance to the leaves of the living Cornus is undeniable. 



OccurreMce— Localities P3651, P3853. 



Collection—V. C. Mus. Pal., No. 2536. 



Family OLEACE.E 



Genus FRAXINUS Linnd 



Fraxinus leii Berry 



(Plate 13, Figs. 2, 3, 7) 



Fraxinus leii Berry, U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 185-F, 132, pl. 25, figs. 1-5, 1934; 7 Canada Geol. Surv. Mem. 

 182, 55, pl. 15, fig. 4, 1935. Dorf, Rull. Geol. Soc. Amer., vol. 51, 218, 222, 225, 1940. 



This species is one of the ten dominants in the Lance Creek collections, in which it is repre- 

 sented by 53 leaf impressions. Manj' of these are e.ssentially complete leaves in an excellent 

 state of preservation. The leaves here figured are virtually identical in all their characters with 

 the type specimens figured by Berry. 



In the course of study of these leaves it became apparent that they are likely to be confused 

 with those of Dryophyllinn suhfalcatum Lesquereux,' which thej^ undeniably resemble in a general 

 way. Brown has considered these two species synonymous.- In my opinion, the leaves of 

 Fraximis lcii may be distinguished by the following characters: (1) shape distinctly narrower, 

 approaching linear rather than lanccolate; (2) teeth more regularly disposed, never absent or 

 poorly developed, and distinctly spinous; (3) both secondary and tertiary veins thin; (4) secondary 

 veins at morc regular intervals. Among the numerous excellent specimens of Dryophyllum sub- 

 falcatum in the Colgate sandstone and Ilell Creck collections at the U. S. National Muscum, none 

 was seen which had the combination of these definitive characters of Fraxinus leii. 



In addition to its occurrcnce in the Lance formation, this species is reported and figured by 

 Berry from the Ravenscrag formation of Saskatchewan. This specimen does not seem to me to 

 have the diagnostic characters of the original types, particularly in its shape and the character 

 of its marginal teeth. 



The generic reference of this spccies to Fraxinus was made by Berry on the basis of resem- 

 blance of the original Lance leaves to those of F. tamariscifolia Vahl of the Old World. 



Occurrence— Localities P3651, P3853, P3854, P38.57, P3858. 



Collection—V . C. Mus. Pal., Plesiotypes Nos. 2537, 2538, 2539; Nos. 2540, 2541. 



' Lesqnoreux. L., Rept. U. S. Gcol. Surv. Torr., vol. 7, 163, pl. 63, fig. 10, 1878. Dorf, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 

 508. pt. 1, 51. pl. 5. figs. 1, 2, 6, 1938. Brown, U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 189, 248, pl. 60. figs. 1-8, pl. 51, figs. 1-7, 86. 

 pl. 52, 6g8. 1-3, pl. 54, fig. 1, 193». 



« Brown, R. W., op. cit.. 248, 1939. 



