RAN ALES. 139 



lobes. Apex emarginato. Base truncate to somewhat cordate. 

 Length along the midrib varying from 7 cm. to 9 cm. and 

 probably considerably greater in some specimens since one frag- 

 ment measures 12 cm. in width. Width in perfect specimens 

 about 9 cm. Lateral lobes ovate in outline with very acute tips, 

 sometimes narrowed proximad giving them an almost obovate 

 outline ; intervening lateral sinuses narrow and deeply cut, in 

 some instances reaching nearly to the midrib, rounded. In some 

 specimens only 2 main lobes are developed on each side, which 

 are then quite similar to the typical modern leaf. In these cases, 

 however, the upper lobes are divided by a shallow sinus into 2 

 sharp lobules. Other specimens show^ 3 lobes of equal mag- 

 nitude on each side, while one of the best specimens has 4 

 nearly equal lobes on each side, the basal and apical pairs being 

 somewhat shorter than the medial pairs. This form of leaf is 

 very suggestive of some species of Qiiercus, but its variations, as 

 well as its venation, show that it is related to Liriodendron. The 

 petiole is preserved for a considerable length and is very stout, as 

 is the midrib. There is one main secondary traversing each lobe 

 and running directly to its apical point. In addition there are 

 one or more camptodrome secondaries in each lobe which 

 anastomose with branches from the main secondary, their num- 

 ber being dependent upon the relative width of the lobe; they 

 branch from the midrib at angles of about 60°. 



At first sight this species appears to differ considerably from 

 Liriodendron oblongifolinfii and from the modern form, but this 

 difference is not nearly as great as it seems, and it is probable 

 that Liriodendron quercifolium is simply a variation from the 

 common ancestor of the two species in the direction of Lirioden- 

 dron pinnatifidum Lesq. Numerous leaves of the modern tree 

 can be found with an incipient lobation suggesting Liriodendron 

 quercifolium. In these, however, the sinus is comparatively 

 shallow and rounded, so that the general appearance of the two is 

 not markedly similar. 



Occurrence. — Woodbridge. 



Collections. — N. Y. Botanical Garden. 



