198 THE RARITAN FLORA. 



parable with the similar variations in the leaves of the modern 

 Sassafras due to position and age. 



There seems to be no basis for maintaining the distinction 

 between Aralia palniata and A. polynwrpha New'b. The species 

 is abundant in the Raritan, and survives in the overlying Ma- 

 gothy formation in a slightly modified form, which may prove 

 eventually to be a distinct species. 



Tlie genus Aralia, to wdiich this and the several following 

 species are referred, is an important element in the Cretaceous 

 floras of the globe, with many species especially in the Dakota 

 Group and the Bohemian Cenomanian. The large number of 

 species, seven in all, in the Raritan furnishes corroborative evi- 

 dence of its Cenomanian age. 



Occurrence. — Woodbridge. 



Collections. — N. Y. Botanical Garden. 



Aralia quinquepartita Lesq. 

 Plate XX, Fig. 8; Plate XXIV, Fig. 5. 



Aralia quinquepartita Lesq., Ann. Rept. U. S. Geol. and Geog. 

 Surv. Terr.. 1871 : 302. 1872; Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv. 

 Terr., vol. i : 394, 1876; Cret. Fl. 90, pi. 15, f. 6, 1874; 

 Fl. Dakota Group, 136, 1892. 

 Newb., Fl. Amboy Clays, 115, pi. 40. f. i, 2, 1896; Mon. 

 U. S. Geol. Surv., vol. XXXV. : 123. pi. p. /. J. 1898. 



Description. — Leaves generally of large size and coriaceous 

 texture, from 5 cm. to 17 cm. in length by from 9 cm. to 17 cm. 

 or possibly more in greatest breadth between the tips of the 

 lateral lobes, petiolate. Palmately 5-lobed. Lobes long, 

 linear or lanceolate in outline, obtusely pointed. Terminal lobe 

 of the same size as the principal lateral lobes from which it is 

 separated by narrow but rounded sinuses extending three- 

 quarters of the distance to the base. The ground plan of the 

 leaf is trilobate, with each of the lateral lobes more or less deeply 

 divided into two almost equal divisions, the basal one of which 

 is more or less subordinate. Primaries stout, 3 in number 



