2i8 THE RARITAN FLORA. 



Genus CHONDROPHYLLUM Necker. 



(Elem. Bot.. vol. II., 1790, p. 347.) 

 Chondrophyllum obovatum Newb. 



Chondrophyllum obovatum Newb., Fl. Amboy Clays, 118, pi. 42, 

 f. 26, 2 'J, 1896. 



Description. — Leaves small, orbicular or obovate in outline, 

 1.3 cm. to 2.6 cm,, in length, by i cm. to 2 cm. in greatest breadth, 

 which is the upper half of the leaf. Margins entire. Apex 

 rounded, sometimes slightly emarginate. Base more or less 

 cuneate. Midrib slender, much attenuated. Secondaries slender, 

 about six pairs, branching at acute angles, camptodrome. Areola- 

 tion polygonal. 



These leaves form an inconspicuous element in the Raritan 

 flora and there is very little ground either for or against their 

 reference to Chondrophyllum. The genus is poorly defined and 

 its relations are problematical. It seems very probable that it is 

 composite and its relations have been thought to be with the 

 Vitacea; and the Araliacea3. One species at least, as the writer 

 will show in his description of the North Carolina Cretaceous 

 flora, is not a dicotyledon at all, but is clearly allied with the 

 modern monocotyledonous genus Pistia. 



Occurrence. — Woodbridge. 



Collections. — N. Y. Botanical Garden. 



Chondrophyllum reticulatum Hollick. 



Chondrophyllum reticulatnm Hollick in Newb., Fl. Amboy Clays, 

 119, pi. 41, f. 6, 7, 1896. 



Description. — Leaves delicate, apparently broadly orbicular in 

 outline, 3 cmi. tO' 3.5 cm. in length by 3 cm. to 4 cm. in breadth, 

 with broadly rounded apex and a cuneate base. Petiole present, 

 stout. Midrib slender. Secondaries 4 to 5 alternate pairs, 

 parallel, slender, branching at an acute angle, camptodrome. dis- 

 tally merging in the tertiary reticulations. 



